African Farm Pests

Abstract

MISS ORMEROD is indeed energetic. Not content with waging bitter war against the destructive pests of British crops, she extends her campaigns to far distant lands. Although applications of farmers for information as to the attacks of many injurious insects arrive incessantly from all parts of the United Kingdom, Miss Ormerod finds time to deal with the complaints of cultivators in all other parts of the world, and surveys insects from China to Peru. In 1887 an elaborate treatise upon a scaleinsect (Icerya purchasi) which seriously injures vines, fig, orange, peach, and other trees and shrubs in Australia, was published by Miss Ormerod, giving full scientific details as to the life-history of this coccid, and as to methods of prevention and remedies likely to be beneficial. Just recently another work has appeared, entitled “Observations on some Injurious Insects of South Africa,” written in Miss Ormerod's usual clear and interesting style, and admirably illustrated. From this we propose to take some extracts to show the cosmopolitan entomological knowledge of the authoress, as well as to give some idea of the enemies of cultivated plants in “Afric's golden sands.”

Notes and Descriptions of a Few Injurious Farm and Fruit Insects of South Africa.

Compiled by Eleanor A. Ormerod., & c. (London: Simpkin, Marshall, and Co., 1889.)