•6 A STUDY OF XATURAL METHODS OF 



Muscardine fungus. In these tests we used second-stage grubs of Lepidiota 

 Jrenchi. Twelve pots were prepared with sifted red volcanic soil, and six 

 larvae were placed in each. 



Nos. 1 and 2. infected by mixing spores uniformly with the soil. 



No. 3, check for Nos. 1 and 2. 



Nos. 4 and 5, same as Nos. 1 and 2, but considerably damper. 



No. 6, check for Nos. 4 and 5. 



These six pots were kept as cool as possible on a shady verandah w Inch 

 Avas open to the trade wind. 



Nos. 7 and 8, had the same infection as Nos. 1 and 2. 



No. 9, check for Nos. 7 and 8. 



Nos. 10 and 11, same treatment as Nos. 7 and 8. but considerably 

 damper. 



No. 12, check for Nos. 10 and 11. 



Pots Nos. 7 to 12 were put in a warm, sunny room. Vvhich averaged o° 

 JFahr. higher temperature than that recorded on the verandah. 



The pots were examined and the results noted as follows : — 



17th August^ — Pot No. 5 had two grubs rotting, apparently due 

 to mechanical injury. There was no sign of fungus in 

 any of the 2:)ots. 



24th August^ — Pot No. 1, two grubs dead, apparently killed by 

 mates, though there was fungus showi:ig on one of them. 

 Pot No. 2 had a grub covered with ripe fungus spores. 

 Pot No. 10 had one grub dead and rotten, but no signs 

 of fungus. Water was added to pots Nos. 4 and 5, as the 

 soil had dried out more qui('kly on the verandah than 

 inside. 



29th August. — Pot No. 3 (check), one grub had been killed by 

 its mates ; no sign of fungus. Pot No. 6 (check), three 

 grubs rotten ; no sign of fungus. Pot No. 9 (check), 

 two g ubs were dead ; both showed fungus, though one 

 had evidently been mangled by its mates. Pot No. 12 

 (check), one grub had been killed by its mates. 



13th September — Pot No. 1, two grubs on top of soil covered 

 with fungus. Pot No. 2 had three more grubs dead and 

 covered with fungus spores, though one appeared to 

 have been mangled by its mates. Pot No. 6 (check), 

 two more grubs killed by biting, but no sign of fungus. 

 Pot No. 9 (check), two grnbr, dead, one killed by fungus 

 and the other by biting. 



:22nd (September — Pot No. 2, the last two grubs dead from 

 fungus ; the soil nearly dry. Pot No. 3 (check), soil very 

 dry ; one grub dead ; and dry on top ; sup))lied with 

 water. Pot No. 4, soil very dry ; five grubs dead fi'om 

 fungus ; supplic'l witli water. Pot No. 6, one i-otten 



