109 



Drury) is reported as attacking cocoa-nuts in Trinidad (Fig. 

 125), and a related species (C. daedaliis), causes similar 

 damage in Surinam. 



Leaf-eating caterpillars are known to attack cocoa-nut 

 palms in certain localities. In British Guiana, Brassolis 

 sophorae, and in Panama, B. isihmia occur. These are related 

 lepidopterous insects, the caterpillars of which feed on the 

 leaves of the cocoa-nut. They form large nests by tying 

 leaves together. In these nests the caterpillars, sometimes 

 several hundred in a single nest, live and feed. 



These lepidopterous insects do not at present occur in 

 the smaller islands of the Lesser Antilles, and every precau- 

 tion should be observed to prevent their introduction. 

 If they should occur, they might be controlled by spray- 

 ing with arsenate of lead or Paris green, or the nests 

 might be cut out and the insects destroyed by burning or 

 crushing. 



RUBBER 



The several species of rubber-producing plants cultivat- 

 ed in the Lesser Antilles are subject to the attacks of scale 

 insects. Para rubber {Hevea brasiliensis) is less liable to 

 these attacks than the others. Castilloa is attacked bv the 



%J 



Akee fringed scale (AsterolecaniwnpustulanH,Q\s\\.) especially 

 when it is growing in unfavourable situations. Severe 

 attacks of this scale (Fig. 126) on the stems of young Castilloa 



Fig. 126. Akee-fringed scale. 

 Enlarged. {Imperial Dept. Agric.) 



