Nelson, and was recently stated by him to be "becoming established in the Institute's grounds." It is parasitic on the Woolly Aphis (Schizoneura lanigera) and the Mealy Bug (Pseudococcus longispinus).

In introducing these wasps Dr Tillyard found that other species of insects were unwittingly introduced along with them. There were two or three Chalcids, and also a small moth Nepticula pomivorella, Packard, whose caterpillar is a leaf-miner on apple trees.

p. 273

Bruchophagus funebris, Howard

This parasitic wasp was first identified and recorded by the Agricultural Department in 1921.

Hive-bees (Apis mellifica, Linn., and A. ligustica, Spin.)

On 7th October, 1920, regulations under the Apiaries Amendment Act, 1913, were gazetted, defining the conditions under which bees, honey, and apiary appliances may be introduced into New Zealand.

Bees and honey can only be introduced at Auckland, Wellington, Lyttelton, Dunedin or Bluff. If they come by parcel post, they must be examined before being forwarded. Bees may be imported from any province of Italy, the United States of America, or the Commonwealth of Australia, but they must be accompanied by a certificate from the shipper of their freedom from disease. They have all to be examined by an Inspector on arrival.

p. 282

Family VESPIDEÆ

Vespa germanica, Fabr.

Specimens of this wasp were taken in the Wairarapa district recently, and were identified by the officials of the Agricultural Department. It has not previously been recorded from New Zealand.

p. 291

Order COLEOPTERA
Family BOSTRICHIDÆ

Lyctus linearis, Goeze

This beetle, Mr D. Miller informs me, is frequently introduced into New Zealand in packing-cases and wooden furniture into which it bores. It does not seem to have established itself permanently.

It is noteworthy, however, that there is no restriction to the importation of insect-infected timbers, whether they are intended for building, packingcases or furniture.

p. 299

Family CURCULIONIDÆ

Cyclas formicarius, Fabr.

This weevil probably spread originally from Cochin China, but is now distributed very widely over the tropics. It is frequently found in shipments of kumaras from the South Sea Islands, but it does not seem to have become established in New Zealand. Regulations to prevent its introduction have been gazetted.

p. 300

Order LEPIDOPTERA

Family BOMBYCIDÆ

Bombyx mori, Linn. Silkworm

As already stated at p. 300, Mr T. C. Batchelor introduced silkworms into Nelson in 1863. Seven years later he urged on the Government the importance of fostering the silk industry in New Zealand, stating that he had imported Tuscan mulberries, and had about 1800 trees ready to plant out. In the following year Mr Batchelor had two varieties of silkworms, viz. Lombardy Buffs and Japanese, and from these he reared two broods of cocoons, the latest forming in November. At the same time, and as an outcome of his action, the Government offered a bonus for the encouragement of the industry. Apparently a certain number, both of colonists and natives, commenced the cultivation of silkworms, but no one secured the bonus, and it was allowed to lapse.

In 1879 a case of crude silk from Auckland was shown at the Sydney Exhibition, but I have not been able to find out by whom it was grown.

In 1886-87 another effort to start sericulture was made by Mr G. A. Schoch of Auckland. He found that between 19,000 and 20,000 white mulberry trees suitable for silkworm-food were in the country. He ordered fresh seed from Italy, and this was distributed gratis. The Auckland Domain Board planted (in 1886) 1100 trees in the domain for distribution to silk-raisers. On December 9th, 1886, a shipment of silkworm eggs arrived from Italy, and about 600,000 were distributed gratis. Towards the end of January a further batch of eggs arrived from Japan-rather late in the season and about two-thirds of these were distributed. Samples of Italian and Japanese cocoons, and skeins of both kinds of silk were later on forwarded to the Manchester Jubilee Exhibition. Mr Schoch was confident of success in his efforts, but the matter was not taken up seriously by others, and ultimately nothing came of it.

In times of agricultural depression and low prices, schemes for establishing sericulture as one of the industries of the Dominion are brought forward and command some attention, but whenever other primary industries are making good headway, the interest dies out.

Silkworms are still commonly reared about Auckland and other centres on a small scale, but not as commercial ventures.

Mr G. Howes informs me that in the neighbourhood of Sydney, New South Wales, silkworm escapes have established themselves in a wild state.

The insects of this order have not been at all commonly collected in New Zealand. As increasing attention is given to them, very many more species than are at present known will be recognised, and this applies to both native and introduced species. Since this work went to press, nine of the latter have been reported to me.

p. 328

Sub-order HETEROPTERA
Family CAPSIDÆ

Oncognathus binotatus, Fabr.

Mr D. Miller states that this European species, which feeds chiefly on

grasses, is found at Wellington and at Wanganin, where it is very common. It is probably widely distributed.

Sub-order HOMOPTERA

P. 328

Family FULGORIDÆ

Siphanta acuta, Walk.

First recorded by Kirkaldy in 1909. This Australian species has been collected at Nelson, and in several localities in the North Island.

Saphena cinerea, Kirkaldy

Another Australian species, first recognised in 1921, and wrongly identified as Siphanta granulata, Kirk. It occurs generally throughout the Auckland provincial district.

Empoasca australis, Froggatt (?). Apple leaf-hopper

This insect has been introduced from Australia, but I have no information as to its range within New Zealand. Dr R. J. Tillyard informs me that the species has so far not been determined with certainty.

Schizoneura ulmi, Linn. Leaf-crumpling Aphis of Elm

This aphis has been recently (1920-21) noticed for the first time in the Auckland district.

Mysus persicae, Sulzer. Green Peach Aphis

Mr D. Miller informs me that this species is widespread in New Zealand.

Aphis nerii, Fonsc.

First recorded in 1921 as occurring on Oleander.

Aphis bakeri, Lowen

Observed and recorded by Mr J. Meyrs on clover in 1921.

Pemphigus populi-transversus, Riley. The Poplar gall Aphis

This species was first observed on Poplar trees in Central Otago in 1920; it has since been reported from Nelson.

Myzaphis abietina, Walk. Spruce Aphis

This aphis, first recorded in 1919, is found generally throughout the

North Island.

p. 340

CRUSTACEA

Division SYNCARIDA

Order ANASPIDACEÆ

Anaspides tasmania, G. M. Thomson

In February, 1898, I received from Mr Leonard Rodway, the eminent Tasmanian botanist, a jar containing about twenty specimens of this most interesting shrimp. He had experienced great difficulty in keeping them

T. N. Z.

36

alive in Hobart on account of the heat of the weather, and he also found that they were terrible cannibals. But this is probably true of all crustaceans when confined in a limited space without food. The remainder carried over to Dunedin remarkably well. But the mortality continued, though they were placed in a tank continuously supplied with fresh running water. All were dead within 16 days after arrival, the last eight of them being badly infested with fungus (Saprolegnia or Achlya).

In a communication to me in June, 1920, Mr Cheeseman adds the following notes of introduced species:

p. 390

SAPINDACEÆ

Acer pseudo-platanus, Linn.

Spreading in many localities in the neighbourhood of plantations. P. 408

Hawthorn (Cratagus oxyacantha)

In the latter part of 1919 it was found that certain orchards in the Auckland district were infected with the bacterial disease known as Fireblight (Bacillus amylivorus, Trev.). It is supposed that the disease was introduced from the Western States of America, and distributed by means of nursery stock from Auckland. An examination in 1920 showed that the infected area ranged from Warkworth in the north to Kihikihi in the south. The Waikato was the most widely infected district; there was a considerable spread of the trouble in Tauranga, but the orchards in the Thames district were free from it. Drastic restrictive measures were adopted by the Agricultural Department, and apparently in some areas, i.e. Warkworth and Silverdale, the disease was stamped out. As tested in the departmental laboratories the plants affected in New Zealand belong to the genera Pyrus (pears, apples, and quinces) and Crataegus (Hawthorn). Pear trees have suffered most, but the Department has come to the conclusion that the disease cannot be coped with in any district as long as the common Hawthorn (C. oxyacantha) is allowed to remain in evidence. Therefore at the end of last session of Parliament (1920) an Amendment of the Noxious Weeds Act 1908 was passed declaring Hawthorn a noxious weed. Clause 3 of this Act states that a special order may be made by any local authority limiting the operation of the Act to a part only of any district. Clause 4 reads as follows: "The planting of hawthorn is hereby prohibited, and every person commits an offence against the principal Act who propagates hawthorn in any manner, or who does any act with intent to propagate hawthorn, or who sells any seeds, plants, or cuttings of hawthorn.”

Found near Arrowtown, where it was first observed by the Pastoral Runs Commission in May, 1920.

Found on old mining tailings near Ross, South Westland.

This species, doubtfully placed as indigenous in the Manual N.Z. Flora (p. 764), is now considered by Cheeseman as an introduction.

Cyperus tenellus, Linn.

Cyperus vegetus, Willd.

Both species are treated as doubtfully indigenous in the Manual (pp. 765 and 766), but are now considered to be introductions.

P. 496

In regard to Festuca ovina and F. rubra Mr Cheeseman has sent me the following note (July, 1921):

"For the common fescue-tussock I follow J. B. Armstrong in calling it Festuca nova-zealandiæ. The introduced fescues are very different. They are common only in a comparatively few places where they have been sown purposely. The most widely spread is known as 'Chewing's fescue.' Red fescue (F. rubra) is taller and more tussocky, but is easily distinguished from F. nova-zealandiæ. There are also several other indigenous, but nontussocky species of Festuca, not properly classified as yet. Petrie has named a distinct one F. multinodis."

Common in damaged forest in the vicinity of Wellington.

APPENDIX C

THE TUTIRA DISTRICT

SINCE this work was in print, a very fine book entitled Tutira, the Story of a New Zealand Sheep Station, by Mr H. Guthrie-Smith, has been published by Messrs William Blackwood and Sons. It is a most interesting record of fine observational work, by a skilled naturalist, dealing with the physical and biological features and history of a comparatively small area of land