299 



In the stumps of cut-off leaf-stalks eggs were laid and larvae developed 

 to some extent, but they never reached the trunk. Observations in 

 the field confirm the above results. 



There were signs that other beetles besides 0. rhinoceros probablv 

 act as mtermediaries for infestation by R. ferrugineus. The suspected 

 species are Platypus solid us, Wlk., which makes small holes in the bark ; 

 TrocJwrrhopalus strangulatus, Gyl., found in numbers in holes probably 

 made by this beetle in the cortex of young palms ; and Diocalandra 

 sp. ? the larvae of which live in the roots of coconut palms. 



No parasites of R. ferrugineus were found. On one occasion 

 Nematodes were found in the intestines of some weevils, but attempts 

 to mfest others failed. Insect-eating birds and mammals are of little 

 importance. 



Preventive measures include all those advocated against 0. rhinoceros 

 [loc. cit.]. Wounds in the cortex of young trees (under 10-13 years 

 of age) are dangerous. When cutting the leaf-stalk at least 12 inches 

 must be left on the trunk. Old leaves and flower spikes must not be 

 pulled off. The tender parts of the crowns must not be crushed, 

 if and when the crowns are cleaned. Accidental wounds must be 

 tarred promptly and repeatedly. Small Curculionid beetles that might 

 gather m crevices or holes must be regularly collected. To prevent 

 the root infestation of young trees, the roots must be kept covered with 

 sod and protected against injury. All possible breeding-places, such 

 as dead palms, must be cut and buried under eight inches of soil.' 



Remedial measures include trapping the weevils in cut sago trunks, 

 collection thrice a day being necessary ; collection of the weevils 

 found when cleaning the crowns ; and supervision of plantations by 

 framed beetle-catchers who can detect signs of infestation. Infestation 

 of the crown is almost incurable. Trunk and root infestation may be 

 cured by mjectmg carbon bisulphide into the bore-hole, which is then 

 plugged with clay for 24 hours. Afterwards the affected tissues and 

 the dead larvae are removed and the cleansed healthy tissues are 

 tarred several times, the hole being finally closed with cement. One 

 application of tar is insufficient. 



Leefmans (S.). Een uit Amerika geimporteerde Plaag van de 

 Agavecultuur {Scyphophorus acupunctatus, Gylh.). [S. acupunc- 

 tatus, a Pest of Agave imported [into Java] from America.]— 

 Meded. Inst. Plantenziekten, Buitenzorg, no. 44 1920 7 pp 

 2 plates. [Received 12th Aprill921.] 



In 1916 complaints were received from an estate in East Java that 

 Curculionid larvae were infesting the slips of Agave sisalana, especially 

 in the nursery beds. The pest was identified as Scyphophorus 

 acupunctatus, Gyl., a weevil occurring in California, Colorado, Texas 

 and Haiti, and infesting Amaryllidaceae such as Agave and Foitrcroya, 

 and Liliaceae such as Yucca. 



The larvae bore into the tissues and kill the plant. The slips and 

 the old stems are chiefly attacked, the latter being important breeding- 

 places that must be destroyed. 



Descriptions of the larva, pupa, cocoon and weevil are given. 



It is advisable that the advice of the Instituut voor Plantenziekten 

 be sought before importing slips from East Java or from Sumatra, to 

 which island slips from East Java appear to have been sent. Any 

 occurrence of the pest should be reported without delay. 



(30S6) 



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