456 



Though not avoiding it, termites usually Hve away from light, 

 probably because they need humidity in a warm, and usually very dry, 

 climate. 



BovELL (J. R.). Insect Pests and Fungoid Diseases, etc. — Rcpt. on 

 the I)ept. A^ric, Barbados, 1918 10, 1921, pp. 22^27. [Received 

 22nd July 1921.] 



The legislation for the year under review in regard to cotton has 

 been superseded by another order, which has alreadv been noticed 

 [R.A.E.,k,\x,330\ 



The injury caused by Diaprcpcs ahbreviatus, L. (root borer), and 

 Lachnosterna {Phytaliis) smithi, Arr. (brown hard-back), has increased, 

 and rendered valueless the manurial experiments carried out with 

 sugar-canes and seedling sugar-canes. Figures showing the average 

 number of these two pests and of TipJiia parallcla collected on various 

 estates are given. 



Experiments carried out during the harvest of 1919 prove that 

 Diatraea saccharalis, F. (moth borer) attacked an average of 94 • 87 per 

 cent, of the canes. Trichogramma minutmn (pretiosum) and an uniden- 

 tified egg parasite heavily parasitise this pest, and egg batches that are 

 found should be cut off and kept, so that the parasites may emerge. 



In 1917, sugar-canes on one estate were considerably damaged by 

 the larvae of Cirphis microgonia, Hmp., but they were controlled by 

 the parasite Pclderia robusta, Wied. 



Minor sugar-cane pests include ants of the genus Rhizomyrnia , 

 Pidvinaria longnlns, Pseudncoccus sacchari, and P. calceolariae, the 

 latter being checked in many cases by the larvae of Hyperaspis 

 trilineata, Muls., and a fungus of the genus Aspergillus. 



Alabama argillacea and Anomis {Aletia) luridula were the only 

 serious pests of cotton this year, and they could have been controlled 

 by timely dusting with Paris green. Attacks by Porrkondyla gossypii, 

 Coq., were only negligible. The usual quantity of Eriophyes gossypii 

 were seen, but there has been no record of this pest attacking cotton. 



Provision crops were attacked in the drier districts by Euscepes 

 batatae, Waterh, More care should be taken to plant only healthy 

 cuttings. Tetranychus telarius, L., and a species of thrips were also 

 recorded as doing damage. On several occasions young sweet potato 

 plants were destroyed by slugs (probably Veronicella occidentalis). 

 Thrips tabaci attacking eschalots were successfully controlled by 

 soap and Black-leaf 40. 



Nematodes were found attacking mahogany trees, causing gnarled 

 and contorted conditions of the basal portions of the trunk. The 

 remedial measure recommended is the removal of all bark from half 

 of the trunk to the cambium layer, and painting the exposed part with 

 lime-sulphur mixture, thickened with clay. After two months, when 

 this portion is in a healthy condition, the other half should be so treated. 

 Each half should be painted over three times. 



Other insects found during the year included : Camponotus sp. on 

 mahogany trees, Sitodrepa panicea, L., attacking onion seed, Zygops 

 histrio, Boh., found among books, Phileurus valgus, L., Attagenus 

 gloriosae, F., Heteroderes laurenti, Guer., Phaleria chevrolati, Fl. & S., 

 Tabanus hookeri. Towns., found on an okra plant, Drosophila mclano- 

 gaster, Mg., bred from decaying mangos, Sarcophaga ventricosa, Wulp, 

 found on Indian corn, Hemiberlesea longispina, Morg., attacking 

 Carica papaya (papaw tree), the male and its puparium not having 

 been hitherto discovered, and an unidentified Chalcid parasite. 



