AND COLLEGE, PUSA, FOR 1915-16 61 



•attack by a Cecidomyiad fly, but little was really known 

 about it, although a loss of thirty per cent, or more of the 

 crop sometimes occurs. An outbreak of this disease being 

 reported from Ranchi in September 1915, opportunity was 

 taken to study it and it was found that the gall- formation 

 is caused by a small fly (P achy diplo sis oryzoe, Wood-Mason) 

 whose life-history was worked out in some detail, but fur- 

 ther observations and experiments are required before the 

 recommendation of control measures on a field scale. 



Jassid bugs, locally known as ' Maho," under which 

 name are included N ephotettix bipunctatus, N. apicalis and 

 (in less numbers) other similar species, have become a serious 

 pest of paddy in the Central Provinces during the past two 

 years. To help in investigation and control of this out- 

 break one Fieldman was lent from Pusa for the period 

 April-October 1915 and a second Fieldman in August- 

 November. Mr. Misra, First Assistant, also visited the 

 affected areas in October to investigate the pest, note the 

 damage done, and assist in control work. 



Considerable attention has also been paid to these 

 species of Nephotettix at Pusa, as regards their exact life- 

 history, hibernation and alternative food-plants, but so far 

 very little light has been thrown on these points. Numer- 

 ous attempts to breed Nephotettix bipunctatus from the egg 

 in captivity have been uniformly unsuccessful. Grass 

 lands and areas which were under rice last season were fre- 

 quently bagged and a powerful light-trap was also placed 

 in these areas but, from the beginning of December 1915 up 

 to 26th June 1916, not a single specimen of Nephotettiv 

 could be found, the first example being found amongst 

 grass on 27th June 1916. There is therefore at present an 

 interval of some seven months in the year, during which we 

 know nothing of the life-history of this insect. Work is 

 being continued. 



Specimens of Fulgorid bugs, also found on rice in the 

 Central Provinces, have been identified by Mr. W. L. 

 Distant as Sogata pusana, S. pallescens and S. distincia. 



E 2 



