121 



GENERAL NOTES. 



THE CABBAGE PLUTELLA IN NEW ZEALAND. 



In the last number of Insect Ltfe we mentioned the occurrence of 

 this cabbage pest in South Africa and referred to our previous state- 

 ment (Annual Report for 1883) concerning its occurrence in Australia. 

 We have now to record the fact that it seems to be well known as a 

 cabbage pest in New Zealand. The* New Zealand Farmer for August, 

 1889, states that information is recorded by more than one of its readers 

 concerning this insect and quotes at length from the New Zealand 

 Country Journal for May, 1887, an article concerning its habits and 

 damage. The article is illustrated by a reproduction of Curtis's well 

 known figure, and treats of the pest under the English name of " The 

 Diamond Back Turnip Moth." The Country Journal we have not had the 

 pleasure of seeing before, and we may mention the fact that the turnip 

 crops of 1886-'87, in the vicinity of Canterbury, suffered to a very serious 

 extent from the ravages of the larvae of this insect, while the moths 

 might be seen in countless thousands during March and April. So 

 great were the ravages during 1887 that in some instances the turnip 

 crop was reduced to 25 per cent, of its normal condition. This is a 

 serious thing, because in New Zealand of late years the culture of the 

 turnip is increasing enormously, and the author of the article states 

 that without it it would be difficult to profitably carry on the work of 

 bringing into cultivation large areas of new land, and the fertility of 

 areas already under cultivation could not be so well maintained. With- 

 out the turnip, moreover, the trade in frozen mutton could not be 

 carried on to such an extent as it promises by the aid of this crop. 

 Many cruciferous plants would also suffer. According to Mr. Fereday, 

 the insect has been known in New Zealand for years past. 



CANNIBALISM WITH COCCINELLA. 



Apropos of the note from Science Gossip in the August issue of In- 

 sect Life, concerning the cannibalism of Coccinella dispar, I desire to 

 record some observations made in southern Illinois four or five years 

 ago, showing an even more reprehensible habit of some members of this 

 group than the eating of the pupae. I was studying apple insects for 

 Professor Forbes at the time, in early spring, and some species of Coc- 

 cinellidae were very abundant in the orchards of Mr. Parker Earle, at 

 Anna, 111. Many of them were ovipositiug, and the clusters of bright 

 yellow eggs were not uncommon upon the trunk and larger limbs. One 

 species in particular, Coccinella 9-notata, I believe, though as I have not 

 my notes with me, I am not certain, was laying eggs abundantly and 

 was also eating them with avidity. I caught adult beetles in the act a 

 number of times, and afterwards proved by observations on specimens 

 7069— No. 4 3 



