24 
The Queensland Naturalist. 
April, 1934. 
and the necessity for such work has been emphasised dur- 
ing the last two or three years. 
(b) Study of the insects on the surface soil of either 
(1) rain forest , (2) open forest , or (3) sea-shore. It has 
been estimated that 90 per cent, of insects spend some por- 
tion of their life cycle in the soil, and any naturalist who 
undertakes a study of this kind will soon be convinced 
that the estimate is reasonably correct. Such work has 
received very little attention in Australia, and a -wealth 
of most interesting material aw 7 aits naturalists. The order 
Protura was first discovered in Australia in 1930, and has 
not yet been recorded from Queensland, although it is 
almost certain to occur here. 
(c) Study of aquatic insects . — The natural history 
of insects belonging to the orders Plectoptera, Odonata, 
Perlaria, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Neuroptera, Trichoptera, 
and Diptera has not been studied in Queensland to any 
great extent. The study of acquatic insects can be done in 
the home, provided suitable acquaria are available. The 
aquaria need not be large; in fact, small aquaria are the 
more suitable, because most aquatic insects are cannibals 
and have to be isolated. 
(<?) Gall Insects . — In Australia there is a great num- 
ber and variety of gall-forming insects, and the study of 
these insects and their galls is specially recommended to 
Queensland naturalists. Representatives of the Coccidae, 
Ilymenoptera, Diptera, Thysanoptera, Coleoptera and Lepi- 
doptera. stimulate their hosts to form galls varying consid- 
erably in size and pattern. The structure of the gall, the 
method of its formation, the relation of the insect to its 
host, and the parasitism of the gall insect are phases of this 
subject which would provide a most interesting study. 
Galls are abundant throughout the year, and can be found 
on any excursion. 
(e) Biology of a particular group: e.g. — 
(i) Apterygota . — Wingless insects belonging to the 
orders Thysanura (silver-fish), Protura, and Collembola 
(Springtails). All these insects are found in the soil, or 
under bark or stones, and practically nothing is known of 
their life history, seasonal history, and habits. 
( ii ) Native Bees . — These are very common in Austra- 
lia. and what little is known of their habits and life his- 
tory shows Conclusively, that they -would be an ideal group 
for study by field naturalists. Some are parasitic, while 
others such as the carpenter bees, leaf-eating bees, and 
honey-bees, build nests differing very much in structure. 
(Hi) Ants . — Australia is the home of some of the most 
