258 



author [R.A.E.. A, \di. 238, 350]. The egg-stage of Dacus tsuneonis 

 seems to be more than 10-14 days. The larval stage last from one to 

 six days. The pupae generally penetrate into the soil to a depth of 

 under ^ an inch, some under 1 inch, a few under 1| inches, and none 

 deeper than this. 



Insect Pests in Ceylon, 1919. — Planter's Chron., Coimbatore, xv, no. 12, 

 20th March 1920, pp. 206-208. 



In addition to the insect pests of Ceylon in 1919 previously dealt 

 with [R.A.E., A, vii, 374, viii, 110], the following have been recorded 

 during the year : — Spatulicraspida castaneiceps (nettle grub), infesting 

 tea foliage ; Orgyia j^ostica (tussock caterpillar) is a common pest of 

 dadap, from which it often spreads to tea ; Gracilaria (heivora (tea 

 leaf-roller) which starts as a leaf-miner and then rolls a portion of the 

 leaf from the tip inwards, inside which it feeds. Both the older leaves 

 and the flush are attacked by these caterpillars. During rains many 

 of them are drowned in their shelters. The infested leaves should be 

 plucked off and burned. The larvae of Oscinis theae make irregular, 

 silvery- white tracings on the upper surface of the leaf. Termites 

 (probably Calotermes militaris) work within the bushes until the main 

 stem may be a mere shell; their presence may be undetected until 

 pruning-time. In the case of seed-bearing bushes they probably enter 

 the bush fairly high up, usually at some injured spot, and then work 

 ■down the main stem and perhaps into the roots. Badly infested seed- 

 bearers usually die back at the top. The removal of all dead wood, 

 the trimming of broken branches and the tarring of all cut ends are 

 .suggested as remedial measures. Experiments are being made with 

 carbon bisulphide, but no definite information can as yet be given as 

 to this treatment. Eelworms {Heterodera radicicola) caused the death 

 of a number of bushes, working chiefly in the older roots. The 

 remedial measures suggested are the isolation of the worst infested 

 area by trenching, the removal of dead and dying bushes and heavy 

 liming of the soil. 



Rubber has been injured to some extent by the larvae of a Longicorn 

 beetle, Batocera rubus ; these can be killed in their galleries by probing 

 with stiff wire or by injecting carbon bisulphide and plugging the 

 holes. Coconuts were damaged by Nephantis serinopa (black-headed 

 coconut caterpillar). Suggested remedies are the cutting off and 

 burning of infested leaves, the lighting of tar and sulphur smoke fires 

 under the younger trees and the use of top-lights against the moths. 

 Infested areas should receive special cultivation and manuring. 

 The distribution of parasites, which exercise a fair amount of control, 

 would also be beneficial. 



•OuRRAN (C. H.). Observations on the more common Aphidophagous 

 Syrphid Flies (Dipt.). — Canad. Entom., London, Ont., lii, no. 3, 

 March 1920, pp. 53-55. 



This paper deals with the more important species of Aphid-destroy- 

 ing Syrpliid flies, and is the result of studies carried on during 

 1913-1919. The larvae of these flies are always more or less heavily 

 parasitised. The eggs are laid singly on the leaves or stems of plants 



