480 



division into orders, including descriptions of the chief types of larvae 

 and pupae. The orders themselves will be dealt with in detail in 

 subsequent parts, one of which is to be devoted to the description of 

 summer measures against insect pests. 



Jepson (F. p.) & Knowles (C. H.). Division of Entomology. — Ann. 

 Kept. Fiji Dept. Agric. 1919, Suva, Council Paper no. 65, 1920, 

 pp. 7-14. [Received 3rd August 1921.] 



Bananas in Fiji are severely damaged by the banana borer, Cosmo- 

 polites sordidus. One of the most effective remedies against this weevil 

 is a system of crop rotation. Land that is planted each year for 20 or 

 30 years with nothing but bananas has no opportunity of being freed 

 from the weevils infesting it. Growers in Fiji are very careless about 

 planting infested suckers, and others neglect to dig out the grubs from 

 suckers, believing that the wounds render them liable to attack by 

 adult weevils. The value of traps is discussed, and the importance 

 of paying the necessary attention to them to prevent their becoming 

 mere breeding places is emphasised. It is suggested that great advan- 

 tage would be gained by acquiring a banana plantation and conducting 

 it at the Government's expense, so that, while working it on a commer- 

 cial scale, investigations and experiments could be carried out. The 

 manuring of alternate rows of bananas would indicate the attraction, 

 if an}^ that less vigorous plants have for the weevils, and might suggest 

 the planting of weaker plants at intervals as baits. Numbers of the 

 predator}^ Histerid, Plaesius javaniis, have been imported from Java 

 and were liberated in January. 



The larva of a Pyralid causes the appearance of brown discoloured 

 patches on bananas, which reduce their market value. The damage 

 is always done in the early stages of development of the fruit and can 

 be remedied by dusting with pyrethrum, before the spathe has 

 properly opened, by means of a syringe with a rubber blower. Several 

 species of Aspidiohis are prevalent, and though the damage due to 

 scales is less than was formerly the case, it cannot be ignored. Very 

 little spraying is done at present, but in the case of an}^ increase in the 

 number of scales it should at once be resorted to, and the damage 

 should at least be hmited to the leaves. A species of Diaspis has been 

 found recently on bananas. 



Lemons and all citrus trees in Fiji are attacked by the Coccid, 

 Chionaspis citri. Lime-sulphur sprays should be used as a remedy. 



Granadillas, which are grown in many gardens for domestic use, 

 are frequently damaged when ripe by fruit-piercing moths, the 

 resulting punctures encouraging the attacks of other insects, such as 

 Drosophila and Nitidulids. It is suggested that the ripening fruits 

 should be enclosed in muslin bags. Hibiscus esculcnUis is extensively 

 grown by the natives, who use the leaves for food. Damage by 

 Diaspis peniagona is severe, many stems being destroyed by this scale. 



Aspidiotus destructor has become such a severe pest of coconuts in 

 the islands around Ovalau and the island of Vitilevu that regulations 

 have been made under the Diseases of Plants Ordinance requiring vessels 

 leaving infested places to undergo inspection. An entomologist has 

 been engaged to visit Tahiti for the purpose of studying and introducing 

 into Fiji a parasite that has effectively checked the scale in that island. 



Levuana iridescens (coconut leaf moth) has attacked coconut palms 

 around Suva continuously throughout the year. The predator, 

 Canthecona cyanocantha was observed on infested leaflets ; it is hoped 



