411 



consider the substitution of lime-sulphur foliage sprays for Bordeaux 

 mixture, as this would assist in the control of young migrating scale 

 msects and would also prevent fungous diseases. Inland fruit-growers, 

 where the spring is dry and hot, should use concentrated lime-sulphur 

 as a foliage spray with caution, as it is likely to produce scorching. 

 It IS intended that the above experiments should be repeated and 

 extended before the conclusions are put into practice by the fruit- 

 grower. 



YusoPE (M.). Some Insect Pests of Padi.— ^^nc. Bull. F.M.S., 

 Kuala Lumpur, viii, no. 3, July-September 1920 pp 187-189' 

 [Received 28th June 1921.] 



The most serious pests of padi in Malaya include the stem borer, 

 Schoenobius incertelliis (bipunctifer) , the eggs of which are deposited 

 in clusters on the leaves. The larvae congregate at the tips of the 

 leaves and are blown by wind to neighbouring plants. The caterpillar 

 bores into the stem until it reaches the heart of the plant, and pupates 

 mside the hole where it has been feeding, the adult emerging through 

 the hole previously made during the young stage. Light traps are 

 successful in attracting large numbers of the moths. The egg-masses 

 are conspicuous on the leaves and can easily be destroyed. Pupae 

 frequently occur in the stubble after harvest. These should be 

 destroyed by ploughing or burning. Infestation can be detected by 

 the dead or withered condition of the central shoots, and all such 

 plants should be cut and burnt at once. 



The leaf-hopper, Nephotettix hipunciata, generally deposits a single 

 egg in an oi)ening at the inner side of the leaf sheath, one female 

 depositing from 70 to 136 eggs. These hatch after six days, and the 

 nymphs feed for about 18 daj^s on the sap of the stem and lea^^es. 

 After five moults they assume the winged stage, the adults continuing 

 to feed in the same manner. The adults are active in searching for 

 food and are capable of flight ; they also exude honeydew on to the 

 stems and leaves. In cases of serious infestation whole fields may be 

 destroyed by this insect. Sweeping with a hand-net is recommended, 

 and padi stul^ble should be cut and burnt immediately to destroy 

 any eggs. 



A bug, Podops coardaia, attacks rice in a somewhat similar wav. 

 Eggs are laid on any part of the plant or in cracks in the soil ; the 

 larvae and adults prefer cool places, but in moist weather they live 

 under the leaves. Each female lays from 30 to 40 eggs, generally 

 resting upon them for from five to seven davs, when they hatch. The 

 nymphs begin feeding in the second instar, and continue for about 

 50 days, during which they undergo five moults. The decayed parts 

 of stems and grasses are chiefly attacked, and subsequently the rice 

 stems and leaves. Plants prexiously attacked by stem borers are 

 particularly liable to injury. Flooding is recommended, and during 

 this the insects can be collected and crushed. An egg-parasite has 

 been found that considerably reduces the numbers of this bug. 



Leptocorisa varicornis lays rows of dark brown eggs on the leaves 

 of padi and grasses. Both the nymphs and adult' bugs attack the 

 ripening grain, sucking the juice so that the grain is emptv. The 

 msects congregate in cool places and are frecjuentlv found among 

 peas and beans. As one female deposits about 10 eggs, and as the 



