226 CURRENT NOTES. 



As YOU will doubtless remember, the fly has been several times reported as 

 occnrring at Kaporo, near the River Songwe. On exploring the surrounding 

 country, I find that it extends over a much larger area than hitherto supposed. 

 The country consists of a large plain extending from a line of foot-hills to 

 the lake (Nyasa), a distance of from 6 to 10 miles, and similar country 

 continues north and south. This plain is only slightly above the lake level 

 (1670 ft.), and is intersected by numerous streams. The latter are fringed 

 with dense bush, — large trees and undergrowth, — and it is on these rivers, 

 and only where there is bush, that I have found the fly. The grass- 

 covered interlying areas are free from fly, though I am informed by the 

 natives that it is prevalent all over the country during the rains, at which 

 time practically the whole country is under water. 



" I was able to catch a few specimens in the early morning, but none during 

 the heat of the day ; they were present in large numbers, however, imme- 

 diately before sunset, when they bit freely. I had with me a young bullock, 

 which I used to attract the fly. The fly was all of one species, viz. G. fiisca, 

 my determination of which has been confirmed by Mr. Neave. It is in- 

 teresting to note that although cattle are exposed to the fly, as far as I can 

 learn they remain healthy. In one place, however, near the source of the 

 Kaporo River, it has been found, after repeated attempts, impossible to keep 

 cattle. There is a large herd of buffalo in the immediate vicinity, and I 

 intend to investigate whether these are acting as carriers of some organism. 

 These observations were made in June. A thorough investigation was not 

 possible owing to administrative work ; but I am resuming the work this 

 month, and will send you a full account, with specimens, map, etc." 



Moth Larvae destroying Tobacco. 



Specimens of the Noctuid moths, Chlondea ohsoleta, F. {= Heliothis 

 armigera, Hiibn.), and Euxoa (^Agrotis) longidentifera, Hmp., have been 

 received from the Rhodesia Museum, Bulawayo, with the statement that 

 the larvae of these species were very destructive indeed to tobacco in that 

 neighbourhood during last season (1909-10). 



A Millipede injurious to Cotton. 



Mr. C. C. Gowdey, the Grovernment Entomologist in Uganda, records a 

 new and somewhat unusual cotton pest. This is a millipede of the genus 

 Odontopyge, which attacks the planted cotton seed as it is sproutino-. It 

 appears to have caused a considerable amount of damnge during the planting- 

 season. It is possible that poisoned bait, as used for locusts in South Africa, 

 might prove an effective remedy. 



