117 



leaf is nearly dead. They enter at the base of the leaf by 

 a small hole which they make by eating away the tissues. 

 These holes are not easily seen and often the caterpillar 

 remains hidden, destroying many leaves, perhaps several 

 plants, before the real nature of the injury is discovered. 



The mole cricket is a general pest living mostly under- 

 ground, where it constructs tunnels near the surface, 

 eating off all roots which come in its way. There are 

 several species of mole crickets in the West Indies. but they 

 are similar in general appearance and iu habit. The one 

 shown in the illustration (Fig. 133) is Gryllotalpa didoctyla. 



Fig"- 133 Mole cricket. 

 Seen from above and from the side {From U.S. Dept. Agric.) 



These insects are pests in the garden, and especially in 

 lawns. In the latter situations they completelv kill the 

 grass over considerable areas. Thev often come above 

 ground at night, and may be destroyed by the use of a poison 

 bait, or trapped in tobacco tins, concaining a small amount 

 of water, sunk in the soil with the bop rim level with the 

 surface of the soil, where they are numerous. The insects 

 fall into the water, and being unable to climb out may be 

 removed and killed in the morning. 



Ferns are subject to attacks of thrips and mealy-bug. 

 and certain species are also attacked by scale insects. Palms 

 are often seen more or less badly attacked by s.-ale insects : 

 crotons {Codiaeum spp,), by mealy-bug and borers. 



