PROCEEDINGS OF THE SECOND ENTOMOLOGICAL MEETING 27 
The difficulty with all these spraying materials is to secure a standard Mr. Anstead. 
uniform quality. Samples submitted for trial may be good, but sub- 
sequent supplies do not always reach the same standard. 
That is our experience also. Mr. Fletcher. 
[Various delegates gave examples, and the general opinion of the Meeting 
was to the effect that a proper standardization of all proprietary insecticides 
in India is of great importance. | 
Aphids are very bad in nurseries in Southern India. Mr. Anstead. 
And in North-East India. Mr. Andrews. 
Tobacco and Soap sprays seem to be indicated. Mr. Fletcher. 
Thrips is bad in Darjiling and the Plains. There are two varieties ; Mr. Andrews. 
one the Black Thrips and the other the Common Thrips. The lifehistory 
of the Common Thrips is as follows :—the egg is laid inside the young 
leaf ; it is very minute, and invisible to the naked eye ; the larval stage 
appears to go on for three weeks or more ; the pupa is found in the soil ; 
the adults appear in May and it appears that there are not more than 
two broods in the year. Several spray mixtures have been tried :— 
(1) Cook’s (?) Nicotine. 
(2) Lime Sulphur. 
(3) X E X. : 
(4) Katakilla. 
(5) Crude Oil Emulsion. 
Of these, X E X was found to be the best. The composition of this 
substance is not definitely known, but the active ingredient was found 
to be acid, and of a fatty nature. In trials, the incidence of the pest 
was reduced to 5 per cent. in treated plots as compared with 50 per cent. 
in untreated controls. ; 
Lime Sulphur was found to be the next best, and Nicotine Solution 
came next. Katakilla and Crude Oil Emulsion were not found to give 
good results. 
As the larvee enter the soil to pupate and apparently remain there Mr. Fletcher. 
for some time, could not cultural methods be employed successfully 
in the spring months? 
This will be useful but only if done before May when the adults emerge, Mr. Andrews. 
and if the cultivation is deep enough to reach the firm soil in which 
the larve pupate. 
Regarding the Black Thrips, the egg has not been found so far, Mr. Andrews. 
but the larva is known ; the pupa is found in the lichen on the bushes, 
and there are probably two broods in the year. 
Soda Wash is the best method because it removes all the lichen 
which gives shelter to the pupa. 
Any more pests of tea? Mr. Fletcher. 
