No. 1.] Vegetables. 77 



In this instance the insect was sent from the Botanical Gardens, 

 Calcutta, by Major Prain, I. M.S., who stated it was attacking the 

 roots of cornflour plants. The ants are shown in Plate IV, figs. 4, 40 # 



Mr. Forel to whom the ants were sent for identification, writes: 

 The ant ... is Dorylus orientalis. It is nearly incredible that this 

 species should be alone in the sub-families Dorylinse and Ponerins? 

 in thus attacking vegetables. All other Dorylinse are carnivorous 

 and hunting ants. 



Remedies proposed. — Spraying with the Paris green solution 

 would prove effective, but it could not be used on vegetables which 

 were to be shortly after made use of for food. 



Points in the life-history requiring further observation. 



There are a good many points of interest in connection with this ant 

 which require observation. We require to know what sites the ant 

 chooses for its nest, which it prefers and at what times in the year 

 it makes its appearance to commit damage. 



Insects infesting POTATO plants. 

 3. JPyralid caterpillars. 



Order, Lepidoptera. Family, Pyralidce. 



The Sub-Divisional Officer of Narail reported that potato plants 

 were suffering in his sub-division from a worm which cut the stems. 

 In January and February considerable destruction took place from 

 this cause. The insects sent were caterpillars, probably Pyralidse, 

 which apparently mine up the stems internally and kill the plants. 

 Without the adult moths no determination could be effected. 



Remedy suggested. — Dig up and burn all plants seen to be 

 attacked by the worms or, if practicable, cut off infected parts. 



Points in the life-history requiring further observation. 



1. How long do these worms spend in the potato stem ? 



2. Where do they change into the pupal state ? Is it within the 

 . stem? or do they leave the stem and go down into the 



soil? 



3. When do the moths emerge and where do they lay their 



eggs ? Is it on the potato plant ? 



4. How many generations of the insect are there in the year? 



5. What other plants does the caterpillar live upon or in ? 



