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cultivation over the greater part of the planting districts, that 

 a short account of its origin and ravages must be added to the 

 bare description given above. 



Lecmiium viride, popularly termed "Green bug," first at- 

 tracted attention in Ceylon in the year 1882, when it was 

 already doing considerable damage to coffee in the Matale dis- 

 trict. The pest rapidly extended its area, and spread through 

 all the districts of the Central province within three years. In 

 1886 it completed its conquest by appearing in the Badulla dis- 

 trict, of the Province of Uva 



Some idea of the collapse of the coffee industry may be ob- 

 tained by comparing the annual export of coffee during the 

 period of attack. In 1881, 452,000 cwts. were shipped from 

 Ceylon. In 1891 this figure had fallen to 88,780 cwts. While, 

 during the past year (1902), the total scarcely exceeded 10,000 

 cwt-." 



The insect has been reported from Ceylon, Brazil, Mauritius 

 and West Africa. Mr. Green further reports that during the 

 rainy season about 90 per cent of this scale is destroyed by a 

 fungus disease described by Doctor A. Zimmerman, as 

 Cephalosporium lecanii. In addition he mentions three 

 hymenopterous parasites at work upon this scale in Ceylon, 

 but these unfortunately "have their own natural enemies 

 which keep them in check and prevent them from increasing in 

 sufficient numbers to cope with the pest." 



Under the given circumstances it becomes evident that an 

 immediate examination is imperative. The origin of the scale, 

 the extent of its distribution and the parasites at work upon 

 it in Kona require immediate investigation. In view of the 

 fact that the pest has been discovered in the very midst of our 

 coffee industry, it is my opinion that no time should be lost, 

 and active measures taken to exterminate, if possible, at least 

 to check and prevent its spread into the coff'ee fields. 



I propose to send Mr. Kotinsky by the next steamer sailing 

 for Hawaii, to make the necessary investigation. 



Awaiting j-our decision in the matter, I am. 

 You rs respectfully, 



Ar.EXAXDEU Ckaw, 

 Supt. of Entomology and Inspector. 



