175 



submergence lasting nine days, carried out after 8th October, appeared 

 to have httle effect on the larvae. It is possible that submergence 

 earlier in the season would have given a better result. Sanding 

 experiments in dry bogs for destroying the pupae seemed to show that 

 this method of treatment will never be practicable. Spraying with a 

 20 per cent, solution of iron sulphate on dry bogs was tested. Three 

 applications killed the blossoms without injuring the foliage or buds 

 for the next year. 



Andrews (E. A.). Entomologist's tour in Cachar and the Duars. — 



Qrtly. Jl. Scient. Dept. Ind. Tea Assoc, Calcutta, Part iv, 1915, 

 pp. 113-117. [Received 10th March 1916.] 



In Cachar and Sylhet Tetranychus bioculatus (red spider) was more in 

 evidence in 1915 than usual. The most serious pests in the North 

 appeared to be termites, which in many places had done a great deal 

 of damage. Borers were frequently noticed, and the common cater- 

 pillar pests, e.g., the Geometrid, Biston suppressaria, the Bombycid, 

 Ardraca bipunctata, Heterusia magnifica (red slug) and Clania spp. 

 (faggot and bag worms) were all found in the district. A case is 

 recorded where Helopeltis theivora migrated from tea to a mango tree, 

 a good deal of the young foliage of which was blackened and shrivelled 

 by the attack. 



Plant Pests (Amendment) Ordinance, no. 20 of 1915. — Uganda 

 Official Gaz., Entebbe, 15th December 1915, p. 506. [Received 

 13th March 1916.] 



These amendments to the Plant Pests Ordinance of 1912 relate to 

 the establishment and constitution of the Plant Pest Board. The 

 powers of the members of this Board are defined. 



Declaration of the Governor in Privy Council. — Jamaica Gaz. Extra- 

 ordinary, 5th January 1916, 1 p. [Received 13th March 1916.] 



Under section 3 of Law 3 of 1915 the black weevil borer of bananas 

 [Cosmopolites sordidus] is declared to be an infectious plant disease 

 within the meaning of the Act. 



Ritchie (A. H.). The Black Beetle attacking Banana Cultivations. — 



Daily Gleaner, Kingston, Jamaica, 22nd January 1916, p. 18, 

 2 figs. [Received 13th March 1916.] 



The black weevil borer of bananas [Cosmopolites sordidus] occurs in 

 Jamaica in certain well-defined areas. This insect is distributed over 

 the entire Caribbean region and it is not definitely known why it is 

 not coextensive with another well-known borer in Jamaica, namely, 

 Metamasius sericeus. The larvae of C. sordidus tunnel into the base of 

 the banana, in which position also pupation takes place. Injury 

 results in the premature withering of the outer leaves, scarcity of leaves 

 and production of undersized fruit. The author urges the necessity 

 for co-operation in controlhng this pest. 



