89 

 GENERAL NOTES. 



THE INTRODUCTION OF BENEFICIAL LADYBIRDS FROM AUSTRALIA 



INTO INDIA. 



Encouraged by the favorable results which have followed the intro- 

 duction of certain beneficial ladybirds from Australia into California 

 and later into Hawaii, the United Planters' Association of Southern 

 India, an organization composed chiefly of tea and coffee growers, 

 raised a fund late in 1897, amounting to something over 7,500 rupees 

 (approximately $3,000), for the purpose of making an effort to introduce 

 beneficial insects from Australia which should advantage their planta- 

 tions. 



Mr. Howard O. Newport, himself a planter, was commissioned by 

 the secretary of the association early in January, 1898, to proceed to 

 Australia and to place himself in relations with the Department of 

 Agriculture of Queensland and to make every effort to bring over to 

 India living specimens of desirable species. Mr. Newport sailed on the 

 30th of January and returned on the 20th of June. His report, which 

 is published in a journal called Planting Opinion of the 16th of July, 

 indicates that he went about his work in a very intelligent and pains- 

 taking manner, that he had the hearty cooperation of the authorities 

 of the department of agriculture at Brisbane, and especially the expert 

 advice and assistance of the well-known entomologist, Mr. Henry Tryon. 

 He collected 2,540 specimens of Orcus australasice, 1,500 Gryptolcemus 

 montrouzieri, and 216 Bhizobius ventralis; in all, some 4,300 odd insects. 

 A special ice box was constructed and the journey was made without 

 mishap, 30 days elapsing from the day the last insects were placed in 

 the box until the time of opening. The insects were kept at a reason- 

 ably uniform temperature of about 25° F., but when the box was opened 

 the insects, although appearing fresh, were without exception dead. 

 The expenses of the trip amounted to about $1,600. 



Not discouraged by this unfortunate result, the association at latest 

 advices intends to try it again. They have not, we understand, met 

 with encouragement at the hands of the Indian government, and the 

 venture is purely a private one. It would not be at all surprising if 

 the effort should eventually succeed. 



Theoretically, Australian ladybirds should flourish better in Southern 

 India than in California, and it is very probable that Bhizobius ventralis 

 will feed with avidity upon the Lecanium scales which affect the coffee 

 and tea plants. The writer is inclined to believe that it will not be 

 found necessary to go to the expense of keeping the insects on ice for 

 a thirty days' journey, even in a tropical region. With plenty of food 

 and a comparatively small number of ladybirds in all stages of exist- 

 ence there is no reason why the insect should not breed during the 

 entire journey. They have been sent in this way successfully in mid- 



