54 



while in no cases has any detrimental effect on the larvae been observed. 

 These tests will however be continued with various toxic substances. 



Minor pests of coffee observed at Cho-ganh include a larva of which 

 the adult is unknown but may prove to be the Chrysomelid, Sagra 

 'purpurea. This larva lives in the soil at the base of coffee plants, 

 sometimes at a depth of nearly two feet, and feeds on the roots. The 

 presence of this insect cannot be recognised until the plant suddenly 

 wilts. The stem then breaks off with the least shock at the point most 

 severely attacked, generally at a depth of about 4 inches from the 

 ground ; the larva can generally be found in the soil around or in the 

 broken stump left in the earth. Considerable damage is caused by 

 this pest, which attacks particularly young and newly set plants, 

 or those still in the nursery, though older plants also may be attacked. 

 A very similar larva, which may be the same species, occurs at Cho-ganh 

 in the w^ood of dead or dying candle-nut {Aleurites moluccana), Japanese 

 lily, teak, lemon-tree, etc. These species are being studied. Xyleborus 

 coffene, Wurth, was of rare occurrence in 1914 ; if this species becomes 

 troublesome the infested branches should be cut and burnt as soon as 

 possible. Zeuzera coffeae, N., in the larval stage damages the interior 

 of the stems of coffee. This moth was abundant in the early part of 

 1914, but is not likely to increase to a dangerous extent as it is heavily 

 parasitised by a Hymenopterous larva. Other food-plants of this 

 pest are Japanese lily, litchi, guava (both wild and cultivated), 

 AcalypJia sp. and other brushwood plants. 



Miscellaneous Lepidopterous pests include a species found on the 

 branches in silken nests ; a Psychid larva living on the foliage in a 

 case ; the larvae of Altha adala, Moore, and Thosea sinensu, Wlk. ; 

 and Euproctis fraterna, Moore, living in colonies on the leaves and 

 young shoots. 



Coccids are, with the exception of X. quadripes, the most serious 

 pests of coffee at Tonkin ; fortunately a number of Dipterous and 

 Hymenopterous parasites assist greatly in keeping them in check. 

 Pseudococcus citri, Risso, is the most dangerous species , and is frequently 

 accompanied by Saissetia hemisphnerica. Ants are attracted by these 

 scales and give trouble by constructing their nests near the plants 

 attacked. An unidentified Coccid occurs on the foliage of Coffea 

 liherica and a species of Pseudococcus on the wood under the bark. 



Andkews (E. a.). Notes on Insect Pests of Green Manures and Shade 

 Trees.— Qtrly. Jl.Scient. Dept, Indian Tea Assoc, Calcutta, Pt. 2, 

 1918, pp. 29-34. [Received 3rd December 1918.] 



The Lycaenid butterfly, Lampides {Polyommatus) ba-etica, L., 

 oviposits in the flower-buds and on the pods of leguminous plants, 

 the newly hatched larvae boring into the pod and feeding on the 

 seeds. When mature, they emerge from the pod to pupate on the 

 plant. This butterfly occurs in all parts of India, and it is common 

 in Assam in the cold weather. It is also a pest of Croialaria juncea 

 (sunn hemp) and Cajanus indicus, two common green manure crops. 

 No remedial measures are known except hand-picking and the 

 destruction of affected pods. 



Argina argus, KolL, a Hypsid moth, oviposits on the under-side of 

 leaves of Crotalaria spp. The eggs are laid in clusters and the larvae 



