^j" . 1- ] Miscellaneous Notes. 19 



attacked by a bark boring Scolytid. This insect was said to have attacked 

 some trees that had been gi idled and were dying. The specimens were 

 submitted to Mr. W. F. H. Blandford who very kindly examined them 

 and determined them as belonging to a species of Polygraphia near to 

 the European form Polygraphia pubescent Linn. For an account of P. 

 pubescens, which Mr. Blandford thinks likely to prove similar in habits 

 to the Piuns excelsa insect, see Kichhoff. Eur. Borkenkafur, page 122, 

 (1881). 



In April 1891 some Melon [Cucurbitacea) seed attacked by the cater- 

 pillar of a minute Microlepidopterous insect, 

 was forwarded to the Museum from Peshin, 

 Baluchistan, by Mr. J. Cleg-horn. The eggs were thought to have been 

 laid upon the seed in October. Throughout the winter the grubs fed upon 

 the outer portion of the seeds and in April, when the seed is usually taken 

 out to be sown, the caterpillars deserted it and formed their chrysalids 

 on the sides of the bag in which the seed had been stored. The attempt 

 that was made in the Museum to rear the moth for identification was 

 not successful, but the insect is not thought to be of much importance. 



In July 1891 a number of insects were received through the Direc- 

 tor of the Dekra Dun Forest School, from 

 the Officiating Conservator of Forests, 

 Central Circle, North- Western Provinces and Oudh, with information 

 that they had proved destructive to Chir [Pinus longifolia) in the 

 Baldhoti plantation. 



The specimens were found to comprise four species of Acridida? [viz., 

 Chrotogonus sp., Catantops mrticus, Cahptenus sp t) and (Echdus sp.) } all 

 said to nip off the young plants, also numerous obscure Curculionidse beetles 

 and earwigs (Euplexoptera) said to be found in dying trees, and probably 

 therefore of but little importance. The Acrid id responsible for most of 

 the nipping off of the youcg chir trees is probably the Chrotogonus, of 

 which numerous specimens were furnished. This insect is a very com- 

 mon one in many parts of India, aud has repeatedly been sent to the 

 Indian Museum as destructive to crops, but no satisfactory method seems 

 to have yet been discovered for dealing with it. The bran and arsenic 

 insecticide, which is said to have been successfully used in the United 

 States against some kinds of Acrididse, might perhaps be worth trying. 

 It is made by mixing together one part of arsenic, one part of sugar, 

 and six parts of bran, with a little water to form a paste. It should be 

 sprinkled oyer the plantation for the Acrididse to eat, the greatest care, 

 however, is necessary in using it on account of the poisonous nature of 



the arsenic. 



B I 



