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caused by the sting of some small Hymenopterous insect than anything else; the 
wound was of a higher color and there was a hard but small lump on the lid for 
some days.—L. E. Hood, Massachusetts. 
[The spider sent by Mr. Hood was Latrodectus mactans. | 
Insect Pests in Bermuda. 
(Extract from a Report by Vice-Consul J. B. Heyl, of Bermuda.) 
This island was clear of insect pests until some time in 1858 or 1859, when a ves- 
sel was brought here in distress, with a cargo of oranges, which were sold at auc- 
tion, and the fruit was carried all over the island, and in a few months our flourishing 
trees were covered with an insect which gave the trees the appearance of being 
whitewashed. This insect fed on the bark of the tree, extracting the yellow sap 
therefrom and causing the bark to curlup. Every device thought of was tried, but 
the island wassoon cleaned of nearly every tree. All this came from the distress cargo. 
Another insect was afterwards introduced in peaches. Theisland at that time was 
stocked with a delicious peach. This insect was a small white maggot, which de- 
stroyed all the peaches on the island. As the infested fruit fell to the ground no 
trouble was taken to destroy it, and the insects increased so that they attacked other 
fruit, mangoes, loquats, etc. The maggot turned into a very smallbug. * * * 
RepLy.— * * * The maggot in Peach has been recently studied and reported 
upon in No. 1 of vol. 11, INsEcT Lire. * * * The scale-insect on the bark of 
Orange is the Chionaspis citri of Louisiana, treated in various reports of the Ento- 
mologist, which are now unfortunately out of print. The best remedy for this insect 
is the application of a kerosene-soap emulsion, the formula for which is given on page 
3 of Circular, No. 1, new series. 
Insect Injury to Cocoanut Palms. 
I take the liberty to address you with a view to ascertain if it would be possible to 
have a remedy for the destruction of an insect called, in the island of St. Domingo, 
Catarron, and in Cuba Cucarachon, which attacks young cocoanut trees on the second 
or third year of their growth. 
I own a cocoanut plantation in Samana Bay, St. Domingo, and I have found out 
that from the month of March to September this insect is very active in destroying 
young cocoanut trees. It confines, apparently, its work to the night time. I think 
that the Catarron belongs to the family of the nocturnal Cucujo of the West Indies or 
the Firefly of this country. Its size is about 14 an inch in length, by 1 inch wide, 
and it is perfectly harmless. As a further illustration of the manner in which this 
insect accomplishes its destructive work, I will state that the young cocoanut tree, 
after sprouting on a seedling bed, is planted from four to six inches in the ground, 
leaving one-half or three-quarters over the soil. The worm attacks the tree on any 
side and perforates the husk to the nut, continuing its work until the sprout under 
the husk is reached and the heart of it is destroyed. 
[have submitted the ideathat perhaps by submerging the tree in coal tar mixed 
with bitter aloes and Paris green, the bug might be prevented from invading the 
husk; but they say that the fume of coal tar will kill the plant. The main point is 
to find some lasting matter to cover the surface of the husk, without injuring the 
tree, that will at the same time protect it against the voracity of the insect. [M. 
Pomarez, New York, November 10, 1891. 
REPLY.—On page 136 of the current volume we have published some information 
relative to the Palm Weevil, which may or may not be the insect of which you com- 
plain. * * * It may be that you will consider the suggestion concerning trap 
palms of some practical value in your case. As you particularly mention, however, 
