322 



captured on the previous day, but failed to hatch. Some of the larvae 

 collected were placed singly in breeding tins in a greenhouse, while 

 others were kept in the open under conditions approaching the normal 

 ■as nearly as possible. Experiments on the feeding habits of the larvae 

 seemed to show that they are primarily carnivorous ; the larvae of 

 the Syrphid, Platycheirus alhimanus, F., of a Noctuid, Leiicania sp., 

 and Dipterous larvae of the family Borboridae are readily attacked, 

 though some individuals were also fed on the grains of wheat. These 

 were attacked at the germinating end, and in some cases the young 

 shoots were also eaten. Maize, barley and oats were rarely attacked. 

 Potatoes, turnips, carrots, etc., in the soil are probably only attacked 

 when already damaged. When both wheat grains and the larvae of 

 Leucania and P. alhimanus were present, the former only were 

 ■attacked, and it may be assumed that in the absence of animal food 

 •serious damage may be done to cereals or vegetables. The larvae are 

 attacked by the Carabid beetle, Pterostichus madidus. Owing to their 

 hairy covering they are able to survive in water for a long time ; they 

 can also exist for about two days in the total absence of moisture. 

 Pupation occurs in circular burrows at a depth of from 2 to 3 inches ; 

 in captivity the first pupa was observed at the end of March. Pupae 

 were found difficult to bring to the adult condition, owing to their 

 susceptibility to increase in temperature and to the readiness with 

 which they were attacked by a fungus. The presence of a clay soil 

 was found to be important. Adults occur in nature on nettles, grass 

 and trees near the larval habitat. Egg-laying takes place in June and 

 July, and the adult stage probably does not last more than six weeks ; 

 the adult is probably onmivorous. Allied species are known to attack 

 Aphids and the eggs of Icerya, while T. hilineatus feeds on the young 

 leaves of birch. The anatomy of the larva and the external characters 

 of pupa and adult are described. 



Oreen (E. E.). Observations on some recently described Coccidae. — 



Bull. Entom. Research, London, vii, no. 1, May 1916, pp. 51-52, 1 fig. 



Pseudococcus bicaudatus, Keuch. [see this Review, Ser. A, iii, p. 647] 

 is stated to be a synonym of P. virgatus, Ckll., other synonyms of this 

 species being P. ceriferus, Newst., P. talini, Green, and P. marchali, 

 Vayssiere. Fiorinia tnorrisi, Brittin [see this Review, Ser. A, iii, 

 p. 721] is stated to be identical with F. asteliae, a synonym of F. gigas, 

 Mask., now placed in the genus Leucaspis. Pinnaspis nitidus, Britt., is 

 a synonym of Lepidosapihes {Mytilaspis) pyriformis. Mask., Lecanium 

 armatum, Brit., of Ctenochiton spinosus, Mask., and Cnjpttococcus 

 nudatus, Brit., of Kuwanina {Sphaerococcus) parvus, Mask. Fiorinia 

 maskelli, Brit., should be referred to the genus Leucaspis, and Scutare 

 fimhriata, Brit., to Rhizococcus. 



Oreen (E.E.). Remarks on Coccidae from Northern Australia — ii. — 



Bull. Entom. Research, London, vii, no. 1, May 1916. pp. 53-65, 



11 figs. 



The following scale-insects are recorded :■ — Aspidiotus destructor. 



Sign., on fohage of Pandanus odoratissimus ; A. fodiens. Mask., on 



Melaleuca leucadendron and Pithecolobium moniliferum ; A. orientalis, 



