194 
sorrow in trying to protect certain choice clematis plants in his own ° 
garden during the past two years. A succession of species would con- 
tinue their defoliation, notwithstanding all methods of destruction. 
The following paper was then read: 
ICERYA PURCHASI AND VEDALIA CARDINALIS IN NEW ZEALAND. 
By R. ALLAN WIGHT, -luckland, New Zealand. 
{ Read, in the author’s absence, by H. Osborn.] 
The course which these two insects have run in New Zealand, although 
remarkable, is perhaps very similar to the experience of other countries, 
but there are some circumstances which appear to be very extraordi- 
nary and not too easy to understand. The Iceryz were first seen ina 
small group in Auckland, and looked upon as a harmless curiosity. 
Dr. Purchase, an Auckland divine and physician, sent specimens to 
Mr. Maskell, who gave the insect the specific name of purchast, for, 
although it had long been known to Australian entomologists, it had 
always been considered as identical with Icerya sacchari. It spread with 
wonderful rapidity, till every green thing seemed covered with it, when 
suddenly it received a check and as rapidly disappeared, as if by 
magic, and, strange to say, not one person in Auckland had noticed the 
Vedalia that destroyed it or had the least idea that such a beetle was 
in existence, incredible asit may seem. Mr. Koebele was the first man 
to discover the beetle and its action in Australia, and another person 
was the first to do the same in Wairoa South in New Zealand, but it 
was a close run, for Mr. Koebele was then at Napier, where he pro- 
cured the bulk of his Vedalia. Perhaps the most singular circumstance 
connected with the arrival of Icerya in New Zealand is the fact that, 
although both insects were undoubtedly imported from Australia, 
those which were introduced upon imported plants were the exceptions 
totherule. In several districts,where the matter was properly observed, 
it was found that the nurseries with imported acacias and citrus plants 
were not the places first infected, but the acacia hedges, which had 
been grown years ago from seed, and the patches of gorse, self-sown, 
and far away from cultivation and imported plants. This occurred not 
in one district only, but in several. | 
An interesting fact, which may now be considered fully proved, is 
that, when Vedalia has completely cleared a district of Icerya, and has 
itself apparently completely died out, Icerya will return in force after 
awhile, and Vedalia will also revive and again destroy it. The last 
instance of this has occurred at Napier, in May. Both insects have — 
ly pest 
