50 DESTRUCTIVE INSECTS OF VICTORIA : 



of the Age staff, and myself, set to work to try and find out 

 the cause. We were successful ; from one large Cupressus 

 we took no less than 37 beetles, besides numbers of larvae 

 and pupae, thus accounting for the trouble. 



Apart from the fact that Lambert's Cypress is the best 

 hedge plant in the State, it is discouraging to find that, 

 in spite of, perhaps, years of careful attention in treating 

 the plants, large gaps of dying plants are seen. These 

 never regain their former condition, even if attended 

 to promptly. 



Fig. V. gives a fair idea of the damage caused by these 

 insects. 



Lately, it was rumoured that the beetle had attacked 

 apple trees, but inquiries elicited the fact that a mistake 

 had been made, and for this we are grateful. One thing is 

 certain : These insects are never to be depended upon, 

 and care should be taken that they do not, like many other 

 pests, attack the fruit trees in this State. It is desirable 

 to know as much as possible of the habits of these 

 beetles, so as to save much time and useless experiments. 



Prevention and Remedies. 



The treatment is practically the same as that prescribed 

 for the larger Diadoxus ; the principal difference is that 

 where the insects are very bad, affected portions of the 

 trees should, where practicable, be taken away and burnt. 

 Isolated plants should be sprayed with kerosene and other 

 deterrents, but on large areas this would, of course, be out 

 of the question. 



