194 



matical, and cooperative campaign so far as possible. The com- 

 bined efforts on the part of the planters in a given locahty are ab- 

 solutely necessary, as the efiforts of a single person combating or 

 entirely eradicating an insect pest in a single field are of no avail 

 when possibly his next neighbor's field is an ideal breeding place 

 sufficient to supply the entire comnnmity. 



In order to ascertain when and by what means active measures 

 should be taken in regard to any pest, it is first necessary to study 

 the habits and life history of the insects in question and it is here 

 that the planters can aid greatly by reporting injurious insects and 

 submitting to this Bureau specimens of the plants attacked, to- 

 gether with live and alcoholic insect material. 



Numerous requests are made on this Ikireau for remedies for 

 various insects, but in most cases they simply state that "an insect 

 is injuring the crops" and ask for the best method of treatment. 

 To requests of this kind it is impossible to give any definite answer 

 without knowing the kind of insect or its method of attack. 



Sometimes we receive notice that insects are destroying coco- 

 nuts, palay, shade trees, or other plants, and we are requested to 

 make an investigation. It is not infrequent that we find, upon 

 investigation, merely the results of the insects, or that the latter 

 are in the last stage of development and that the damage by the 

 prevailing generation is already done. In such cases treatment is 

 of no avail. The danger is over and the plants are safe until the 

 appearance of the succeeding generation. If these insects had 

 been reported in due time, their ravages could have been checked, 

 or a study of the life history and habits could have been made 

 and a remedy given for future outbreaks. 



In order for us to give remedies and answer questions intelli- 

 gently, persons requesting information relative to destructive in- 

 sects should observe the following ])oints : 



1. Insect ravages should be rejiorted at first appearances and 

 not when damage is done. 



2. Always submit specimens of the insects in (|uesti(in and of 

 the infested plants. 



3. (iive the general character of the injury and exlt'ut of 

 damage. 



4. State the ])art of the plant attacked. 



5. In submitting s])ecimens ])ut them in alcohol or "vino" and 

 give all possible informalion concerning the insect and its liabits. 



NATIKAL INSRCT COXIKOF,. 



Many factors, such as birds, climatic conditions. ])redatory and 

 ])arasitic insects, may be jjlaced under the heading of natural 

 insect control. Of these, ])arasites may be put at \\}v brad of thr 

 list, as tliey attack various insects in the egg. lar\;il. ])n|)al, and 

 adult stages. 1 fvmenopterous parasites are i)rob<il)l\ in excess n\ 

 all other orders of insects. 



