1 Dec., 1902.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 407 
arrived at. However, it was ascertained that in addition to the ordinary Northern cane- 
beetle grub (Lepidiota albohirta) there were at least two other cane-beetle grubs 
similarly destructive to it, and that one of these, the larva of a brown bectle (Rhopwa 
sp.), appeared to be restricted to particular soils and locations. The fact of these 
destructive insects being extensively parasitised by a large hymenopterous insect was 
also discovered, a discovery subsequently announced in a paper communicated to 
the columns of the Queensland Agriculiural Journal, entitled “ A Parasite of Sugar- 
cane Beetle Grubs, Dielis formosus, Guerin”). 
Whilst in the Cairns district, the Kamerunga State Nursery was also carefully 
inspected. The nomenclature of the large collection of varieties of sugar-cane 
formerly procured in British New Guinea on behalf of the Department by myself 
was also revised; both there and at Hambledon. 
(c) Inthe Mosman River district five days were devoted also to investigations 
relating to the scarabwid grub-pest of sugar-cane, the identity of the beetles concerned 
in the depredations experienced, their food plants, and the range of occurrence of their 
destructive manifestations. The occasion afforded by this visit was also availed of 
for addressing a meeting of the local farmers’ association. 
(d) In the Daintree River district two days were spent in inspecting the coffee 
plantations, in company with the Instructor in Coffee Cultivation (who was 
simultaneously officially visiting the locality), and a preliminary inquiry into matters 
pertaining to the coffee plants, that had been the occasion of complaint on the part of 
the growers, entered upon. 
‘This extended Northern expedition resulted in the accumulation of many facts 
and of much material still to be worked out. 
In tHE Sovrn.—(a) On returning to Brisbane a short visit was made to the 
Darling Downs wheat-growing districts, for the purpose of inquiring into the nature 
and mode of action of an injurious insect affecting wheat that had been spoken of as 
“wire worm.” This was found to be a caterpillar of subterranean habits, the young 
of a moth named Axtidica pilipes, Butler, a member of the Gicophoridx, and not only 
a new wheat-pest, but the first destructive insect yielded by the family of moths 
named that has such numerous exponents in Australia. 
(b) Subsequently, during December, investigations relating to the Scarabid 
grub-pest of sugar-cane were prosecuted in the Isis district in continuation of those 
commenced in a previous year. In connection with these it may be stated that 
although it was found that five different beetles were concerned, one predominated, 
an undescribed species of Rhopewa, and that this had habits that, insomuch as they 
were unlike those manifested by the scarabxid beetle, injuriously related to the same 
plant in the more Northern Districts, were such as to render means for effecting its 
capture efficacious that were not available to any extent in their case. Owing, how- 
ever, to the exceptional dry and hot climatic conditions that prevailed at the time of 
the visit alluded to, and subsequent thereto, almost the entire brood of beetles was 
destroyed prior to the emergence from the soil. Thus no opportunity occurred for 
experimentally demonstrating the possibility of capturing these marauders on a large 
scale in a specially constructed trap-lantern of great powers of illumination as had 
been projected. 
Agricurruran Contrer Lecrurrs.—Whennotrenderedimpracticable by field work 
necessitating absence from the metropolis, two lectures, each of an hour’s duration, 
have been delivered each week to the students at the Queensland Agricultural 
College. Those addressed have dealt with Systematic Entomology, Iconomic 
Entomology, and the Parasitic Diseases of Plants, and have been both well attended 
and received.’ Whilst no provision has been made for regular class-instruction in 
these subjects, these lectures may have served a useful purpose ; but formal lectures, 
especially when unsupplemented by practical work and private study, accomplish at the 
best but poor results, compared with those attendant on the former method of teaching, 
in enlightening those who have no previous acquaintance with the province of inquiry to 
which they relate. At the same time, their preparation and delivery, and the absence 
from Brisbane and withdrawal from other occupations that these acts have necessitated, 
have operated to interrupt and suspend important investigations concerned with great 
public interest. Hence the cry, ‘ What is the Entomologist doing?” may arise. ‘To 
which this report gives a reply not wholly satisfactory. 
“Tip Diseasks IN Prants Act, 1896.”—The duties of inspector under the 
Diseases in Plants Act have, with the sanction of the department, been only casually 
discharged in instances of emergency when none of the permanently employed inspectors 
have been immediately peainis for service. 
