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KuTHERFORD (A.), InsGcts pests of some leguminous plants. — Trop. 

 Agric., Peradeniya, xliii, no. 4, October 1914, pp. 319-323. 



Aulacaspis pentagona, Targ., previously found in Ceylon on various 

 plants, has been noticed on Crotalaria striata and on a bean plant. 

 On Flacourtia, this Coccid is attacked by the Coccinellid, Chilocorus 

 circumdatus, by a small brown Coccinellid with Pseudococcus-like 

 larvae, by a minute black Coccinellid probably of the genus Cybo- 

 cephalus, by a small black Chalcid, and by the larvae of a Cecidomyid. 

 Hemichionaspis minor, Mask., which occurs in Ceylon on species of 

 Crotalaria and other plants, seems much less common than its near 

 ally, H. aspidistrae, Sign., which is often very injurious to such palms 

 as coconut and Areca chrysalidocarpus. It is partly kept in check 

 by Coccinellids, Chalcids and Cecidomyids. Lepidoaphes ?gloveri. 

 Pack., occurs on Crotalaria and on orange trees. A Membracid, 

 Leptocentrus ?substitutus, also feeds on Crotalaria. The eggs of 

 these insects, which are deposited underneath the bark of the 

 stem and of the leaf-stalks, are subject to the attack of minute 

 Hymenopterous parasites. The Capsid Ragmus importunitas, Dist., 

 has recently been injuring Crotalaria at the Experiment Station, 

 Peradeniya, and a dark green aphis is also occasionally found on it. 

 The best application against these sucking insects is kerosene emulsion. 

 Aphids, however, are so much subject to the attacks of natural enemies, 

 especially Syrphid larvae, in Ceylon, that generally nothing requires 

 to be done against them. In the case of Aulacaspis pentagona and 

 Hemichionaspis minor, unless a large number of plants are attacked, 

 it is best to cut out and burn the infested ones. In other cases the 

 stems should be rubbed with a coarse brush before the spray is applied. 

 A small Dipterous larva, probably an Agromyzid, attacks the stems of 

 Crotalaria striata at Peradeniya. It is probably not very injurious 

 in Ceylon at present, but should not be neglected, and all badly attacked 

 plants should be burned. Crotalaria is subject to defoliation by 

 the caterpillar of Argina ?syringa. When not numerous, the 

 caterpillars should be collected. Lead arsenate or Paris green should 

 be used against large numbers. The seeds of Crotalaria are liable to 

 be destroyed by a Tineid caterpillar which lives inside the pods. In 

 April, branches of Tephrosia Candida were received heavily infested 

 with mealy bug, probably Pseudococcus virgatus, Ckll. Among the insects 

 sent in on Tephrosia was the pupa of the Lycaenid Spalgis epiiis, the 

 caterpillar of which usually keeps this group of Coccids in check in 

 Ceylon. In May, a branch of T. Candida was received infested with 

 a species of Cerococcus closely agreeing with Cerococcus hibisci, Gr. 

 On the same twigs nymphs and adults of a Membracid, probably 

 Gargara mixta, were feeding. Xyleborus ffornicatus, was received 

 with the report that it was causing the stem of Tephrosia to break 

 off just as J in the case of tea. Some of the beetles were slightly 

 smaller than typical X. fornicatus. A large colony of Aspidiotus 

 lataniae. Sign., was observed on the stem of a plant of Leucaena glauca 

 growing as shade among Coffea robusta. A species of Xyleborus 

 (prob. X. fornicatus) was recently observed to be attacking the stems 

 of Desmodium cephalotes. A disease of Acacia deciirrens, which may be 

 caused by an insect, has been reported. It has been described as 

 " Fire Blight," but is quite distinct from the " Fire Blight " of Acacia 



