122 



X. foniicatits is said to have been recorded from various parts of 

 India from time to time, but the only specimens received in Ceylon 

 have been in castor from Bangalore. Other species of Xyleborits 

 occur in Ceylon, of which A'', compactus may become a pest of tea. 



The second part of the paper deals with Homona coffearia (tea 

 tortrix), and is based on the work of Jardine. Severe outbreaks 

 of this moth occur in three-year cycles, the polyhedral disease 

 becoming prevalent when the larvae are overcrowded, and 

 leaving only a small number alive. Attempts to cause outbreaks 

 of the disease artificially have not succeeded. Small outbreaks of 

 H. coffearia may be dealt with effectively by means of a lead chromate 

 spray [R.A.E., A, vii, 113]. The total-hfe history of the moth 

 occupies six to eight weeks ; July, August and September are the chief 

 months in which eggs are laid. 



Jepson (F. p.). Shot-hole Borer of Tea. — Trop. Agric, Peradeniya, 

 Iv, no. 5, November 1920, pp. 280-289. 



In the first half of 1920 a number of experiments were carried out 

 to test possible methods of control directed against Xyleborns forni- 

 catus on tea. Painting [R.A.E., A, vii, 261, etc.] gave inconclusive 

 results, while experiments with castor as a trap-tree were not completed. 

 In this connection it may be mentioned that a severe infestation of 

 castor was observed in one district, the surrounding tea being com- 

 parativel}' free from attack. Control pruning experiments were 

 also unfinished, but seemed in some cases to involve rather serious 

 mutilation of the bushes. Some cases of healing of the gallerj^ entrance- 

 holes were observed in a few instances while the gaUeries were still 

 tenanted ; possibly this was caused by a stimulation of plant growth 

 due to manure and pruning. It was shown that the suggestion that 

 the shade of dadap {Erythrina) controls X. for meatus was not correct. 



Dadap and Grevillea, as well as castor and tea, are attacked by the 

 beetle, but it has not been observed to rear broods in Grevillea. A 

 Scolytid believed to be X. fornicatus has also been found in Cedrela 

 toona. 



Trogositid beetles are reported as preying on A', fornicatus on 

 quite a large scale, and in one case a predaceous Clerid was found 

 associated with it. Staphylinid and other beetles are also associated 

 with the borer, but there is no indication that they are predaceous 

 on it. The larvae of H. fornicatus are, however, destroyed by those 

 of a Drosophilid fly, Phortica xyleboriphaga, Senior- White, and some 

 stage of this fly was found in 5 per cent, of the galleries examined. 



There is a possibihty that the Chalcid that destroys 5 per cent, 

 of A^. coffeae in Java might be able to adapt itself to the closely allied 

 X. fornicatus. 



HuTSON (J. C). Paddy Fly. — Trop. Agric, Peradeniya, Iv, no. 5, 

 November 1920, pp. 290-292, 1 plate. 



This is a popular account of the paddy "fly" [Leptocorisa vari- 

 cornis, F.]. The importance of clean cultivation is emphasised, 

 and the usual remedial measures described. [R.A.E., A, viii, 411, 

 etc.] 



