88 



" lu the first place, we must be able to show growers, by means of specimens, plates, &c., 

 the differences between the insects which are destructive to crops and those which are beneficial, 

 so that the first may be destroyed and the latter protected. The above remarks will also a]>ply to 

 the liirds, tlie destruction of many of which has been, without a doubt, tlie cause of a large increase 

 in the immber of our insect pests. 



" In this court, amongst the principal specimens of 

 insects, l)otli injurious and Iteneficial, may be mentioned 

 tlie (Vdlin Motli, Pear Slug, Apple-root Borer, Woolly 

 Aphis, Locust, Fireblight of the Wattle, Peach Aphis, 

 Green Beetle, and numerous others of the destructive 

 class. Amongst the beneficial ones are many insects 

 whicli are jiarasitic on the destructive kinds, as scale, 

 carval of moths, &c., &c., including the wonderful little 

 lady-l)ird, Vi'ilalia carc/ir/alis, which tiny insect has been 

 so successfully introduced into the orange groves of 

 America, Africa, &c., for the jiurpose of combating the 

 attacks of the Icerya Fiirchasii or cottony-cushion-scale. 

 A few years since the whole or a greater part of the orange 

 groves of the above-named countries were threatened 

 witli extermination, but tlie Vedalia with its wonderfully 

 voracious nature lias arrested tlie progress of the plague, 

 and the cottouy-cushion-scale has in many parts been 

 altogether eaten up and destroyed by the Vcdalia. 



" The Wood Borer, of which three illustrations are here 

 given, are amongst the most destructive of our noxious 

 insects, and preventive and remedial measures for which 

 are given in the illustrated handbooks. Parts I. and II., 

 just issued by the Victorian Department of Agriculture. 

 Three of them, viz., Urucantlms trun/c/M/oris. Picsarthriiis 

 iiiar(/iii('1h(», and Diadoxiis pixtacbia, being amongst the 

 most destructive. 



"The cases in an horizontal positimi show tlie various 

 insects at work on timbers of ditferent kinds. 



'• One of the most instructive exhibits in this court is a case containing the external 

 dissections of the parts of various insects. They have been prej>ared for the use of srliools, and 

 have already been largely availed of by jiupils and others interested. 



"The charts which line the court represent the life-history forms of many of our most 

 destructive insects, also illustrations of some of which are ]»arasiti(^ on same. An enterjirising 

 American fruit-grower has said — ' Our watchword must ever be : Onward and upward, au<l falter 

 not ; although ditticulties a]ijiarently insurmouiitabk> arise, he who will may overcome tliem. The 

 time was when our glorious climate, fruitful soil, and exemption from all diseases and pests, 

 made our golden State the wonder of all who were conversant with its fruits and flowers.. Now, 

 alas, the spoiler's hand is felt ; a (•hange has c(mie over the spirit of our dream. It seems as 

 though all tliat is detrimental to the fruit interest is here or coming, making eternal vigilance 

 the price of success in this, tlie cliief industry of tlie State. Tlie time has come when every 

 one who by this occupation would thrive will find ceaseless use for both head and hand ; even then 

 the fittest only can survive.' 



•' Wiien a ])erson takes up land for the purpose of making a living, whether it is for 

 growing anything from wool to special products, he will find that there are leisure moments 

 whicli may be profitably spent in the interesting and eminently useful study of Economic 

 Entomology. An acipiaintance with the life-history and 'manners and customs" of insects, either 

 noxious or beneficial, is to help us in suppressing certain pests, and to preserve from destruction 

 such as are of use, and which consequently should be protected. The trained man, for example. 



