60 
JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 
[Vol. 17 
have, whatever discoveries may be made—if they are not actually 
brought into practice, we have failed somewhere in our economic work. 
Investigation of the insect is not sufficient. We must sell the proposition 
to the American people. 
Mr. L. O. Howard: I have nothing but praise for the President’s 
Address. It was an admirable address from start to finish, exceptional 
in its execution. I was delighted to have the President bring out the 
point, ‘What is an Economic Entomologist?” We have been through 
the phase where men in Museums look down on Economic Entomologists. 
We are now coming to a proper understanding, and it is becoming plain 
that all Entomologists are Economic Entomologists. We can’t find 
out too much about entomology from any point of view. We have all 
been feeling that same note of hope, the same feeling that something big 
was about to transpire. The President has put into words, into admir¬ 
able words, what many of us have half-formed in our mind. I consider 
the address a very exceptional one. 
Vice-President Gossard: I am sure those who have spoken have 
expressed the sentiments of the entire Association. We certainly 
thank Mr. Ruggles for his interesting address. 
President Ruggles resumes the chair. 
President A. G. Ruggles: The next paper on the program is by 
J. C. Hamlin. 
THE AUSTRALIAN PRICKLY PEAR PROBLEM 
By John C. Hamlin, Officer-in-Charge Prickly Pear Investigations 
Abstract 
Several species of prickly pear cactus (Opuntia) are naturalized in Australia and 
constitute a national pest. Destructive utilization of the plant for many purposes, 
numerous mechanical and chemical destroyers have failed to halt the occupation of 
fresh lands by this plant curse. The fungous, bacterial,and insect enemies of Opuntia 
are now being introduced into Australia in an effort to control this pest. 
Introductory Statement 
This paper deals with an American group of plants, the prickly pears 
of the genus Opuntia. While not of the genus Cereus, these plants 
are in fact quite serious. The rabbit episode is eclipsed and the prickly 
pear cactus is today Australia’s spiniest problem. I must forego relating 
the interesting history of their introduction to Australia. 
Acreage and Distribution in Australia 
The pest occurs mainly in eastern Australia where the infestation 
