THECUBAREVIEW 29 



AN INSECT PEST OF THE SUGAR CANE 



In accordance with the order dated June 28 from the Director of Agriculture to study the 

 disease of sugar cane in the vicinity of Jagiieyal, I have to report as follows: 



There are many spots of land in the colonia of Sr. Francisco Bravo in which the cane is 

 either dying or dead. In some cases there are stalks of cane three or four feet high that have 

 grown well for a time as shown by several long joints of cane, and then have suffered some injury 

 so that the upper joints are very short and the tops are dying. In all cases these upper short 

 joints are thickly covered with mealy-bugs {Paeudococcus sacchari) in sufficient numbers to 

 account for the damage. 



All of the stunted canes, whether plant canes or ratoon canes, show aljundance of mealy- 

 bug at the base of the stalks, and when the stool is removed from the ground it is possible to 

 see the roots literally covered with mealy-bugs. 



In many places the poor cane has been burnt off, the fields plowed and new cane planted. 

 Usually cane replanted on these infected areas fails to germinate, or if it does germinate the 

 shoots are weak and do not produce good cane. Examination of many seed that had been in 

 the soil from one week to three weeks showed the buds covered with mealy-bugs in number 

 sufficient to account for the weakening and death of the shoots. 



The mealy-bug feeds directly upon living cane, either the roots, or the stalk, and obtains 

 its noiu-ishment by sucking out the juice of the plant. A few insects do not cause a great deal 

 of injury, but large numbers as are present in the vicinity of Central Jagiieyal cause serious 

 injury and death to the plant. 



The probability of other factors contributing to this trouble were considered. Termites 

 were found in abundance in many places among the roots and in the stubble of the cane, but 

 only in dead parts. A few white grubs were found after digging up the cepas, but there was no 

 visible evidence of injury to the roots due to these grubs. Xo fungi were present in any quantity 

 to render them suspected of causing injury to healthy plants. Soil conditions were equally as 

 good in the infected areas as in the non-infected. The only conclusion, therefore, that I have 

 reached is that the mealy-bugs alone are responsible for this trouble. 



The extent of the infested areas was not definitely ascertained. Several spots of several 

 acres in extent were seen, and there were several small spots. This same trouble is said to 

 exist not only in the colonia of Sr. Eravo, but also on other colonias of Central Jagiieyal and of 

 Central Stewart. 



This plague constitutes by far the most acute problem among those relating to insect 

 injuries in sugar cane in the Island of Cuba. It absolutely kills the cane, it is distributed 

 over a wide area, appears to be spreading and occurs on most excellent soils. 



It is most assuredly worthy of further study to determine its exact distribution, and to 

 ascertain means of control. The insect is one well known in many cane countries and there are 

 certain means known to assist in control, but no direct remedy or means of eradication. 



I would respectfully recommend that the following measures be taken immediately : 



(1) That an entomological assistant be detailed to make a complete survey of the fields 

 about Central Jagiieyal and Stewart to ascertain the distribution of this insect. 



(2) That exijeriments be made at Central Jagiieyal with the view to determine if possible 

 some poison with which to cover the cane seed in order to prevent the attack of the mealy-bugs 

 on the young shoots. 



(.3) That the Australian Lady-bird beetle (Cryplolaeims montrauzieri) be introduced into 

 Cuba and be disseminated in the fields to assist in destroying this mealy-bug. 



(4) That the mealy-bug fungus {Aspergillus Flavus) be developed in large quantities and 

 spread in the infected fields to further assist in the destruction of the mealy-bug. 



Extract Jrom a letter to the Cuban Sugar Cane Corporation from the Commission oj Plant 



Sanitation, September 14, 1916. 

 In addition to the report that you already have, I will add the following in regard to this 

 "Disease" in cane, due to the mealy-bugs. In cane attacked by these insects there is no remedy 

 other than to burn the affected fields, which of course is done only in extreme cases. If a 

 field has been abandoned because of this pest, it should be plowed, all the trash burned and 

 maintained free from weeds at least for a period of two months. Cultivating every two weeks 

 .should keep down the weeds and stir up the soil and expose the insects to the sun, a proceeding 



