1 8 5 



no burrovvings in its vicinity, though the single grub we 

 found was entangled in the scales of the frond bases 

 (Polystichum). We could find no traces of attack upon the 

 roots or undersides of the caudices, as with the grubs of 

 the Vine Weevil. The fronds alone appear to be 

 devoured. As with the Vine Weevil, it has been found 

 that complete immersion in water of pots or pans, when 

 these are employed, compels the beetles to leave the soil 

 almost immediately and climb the frond stalks, where they 

 are easily captured, thus supplying a means of reducing 

 their numbers where such immersion is possible. Both 

 beetle and grub appear to be immune from the action of 

 any insecticide remedy which the plants can withstand, 

 even hydrocyanic vapour failing to kill them, while 

 immersion in water for a long time leaves the grubs 

 unharmed. Under these circumstances it is almost, if not 

 quite, impossible to get rid of the pest if once established 

 in immovable plants, since practically the only way of 

 eradicating it is to immerse the pots or pans whenever it is 

 noticed that the fronds are attacked by the beetle, which is 

 purely a night feeder. This, if persisted in throughout the 

 season, is fairly effective. Should any of our readers come 

 across a Weevil of this small type, we should like to see 

 it, not necessarily alive, but preferably killed by hot water. 

 Incidentally we may mention that although the affected 

 caudices sent us were immersed in boiling water before 

 dissection, some pieces being dropped on to damp sand in 

 a stoppered bottle after that operation are already 

 developing, despite the scalding, numerous bulbils on the 

 freshly exposed surfaces in the shape of small white 

 pimples, an indication that resuscitation and even pro- 

 pagation is possible, even when the plant is seemingly 

 quite destroyed. (Vide also " A Resuscitated Collection," 

 Vol. I., p. 251.) 



The Editor. 



