520 



during the year ; and Icerya purchasi (fluted scale) on Acacia, which is 

 generally controlled during the wet season by fungi, especially 

 Cepkalosporium and Melanospora. Agrotis spp. are found in abun- 

 dance amongst vegetable crops. Towards the end of the year out- 

 breaks of the swarming paddy cutworm, Spodoptera mauritia, occurred 

 in several localities. Remedial measures include clean cultivation, 

 flooding the fields and collection of caterpillars by means of winnows. 

 Towards the end of the outbreak numerous cocoons of a Braconid 

 parasite were in evidence. Termites, probably Calotertnes militaris, 

 have been prevalent on several tea estates at different elevations. 

 Remedial measures include the pruning of all dead wood, the trimming 

 of all broken ends and the tarring of all cut ends. Field experiments 

 with carbon bisulphide show promising results, but further trials are 

 needed to prove the efficacy of this treatment. 



Nephantis serinopa (coconut caterpillar) is still abundant in the 

 Eastern Province, and outbreaks have also been noticed in the North- 

 western Province, where a Hymenopterous parasite is an important 

 factor in its control. On young palms the outbreak may be checked 

 by collecting and destroying the larvae on the leaves. In the Eastern 

 Province tar and sulphur " smudge " fires are used and trap-lights to 

 catch the egg-laying females. On old palms the infested material 

 should be removed and burnt ; to prevent attack the trees should be 

 kept in vigorous health. 



Minor pests on tea included : — Zeuzera cojfeae (red borer) ; Spatuli- 

 fimhria castaneiceps (nettle grub) ; Saissetia hemisphaerica ; Oscinis 

 tkeae (tea leaf-miner) ; Graciluria theivom (tea leaf-roller) controlled 

 by plucking and by the heavy rains ; Heterodera radicicola (eelworm) ; 

 Coccus viridis ; Helopeltis antonii ; Ricania fenestrata ; Ricanoptera 

 opaca ; Orgyia postica ; Heterusia cingala ; and Lepidiofa pinguis. 



Saissetia nigra and the Cerambycid Batocera rubus occurred on 

 Hevea, and Caprinia conchylalis infested Funtumia elastica. 

 V^ Arbela quadrinotata (brown bark-borer), Helopeltis sp. and an Aphid, 

 Toxoptera auranfiae, infested cacao. The latter is preyed upon by 

 Chrysopid and S}Tphid larvae. 



Coconut was attacked by Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (red weevil), 

 Oryctes rhinoceros, Aspidiotus destructor and Ischnaspis longirostris. 



Schoenobius incertellus {bipunctifer) (rice stem-borer), Cnaphalocrocis 

 medinalis, Marasmia bilinealis, Nymphula depvnctalis, and Leptocorisa 

 acuta (paddy bug) occurred on rice. 



Sylepta multilinealis and Dysdercus cingulatus qjq reported on cotton; 

 Orgyia postica, the Lasiocampid Taragama dorsalis, Terastia meti- 

 culosalis and the Coreid bug Anoplocnernis pkasiana on dadap 

 [Erythrina lithosperma) ; and Icerya purchasi, Myllocerus curvicornis, 

 Astycus immunis, Popillia complanafa, Lepidiota pinguis, and Homona 

 cojfearia on Acacia spp. Araecerus fasciculatus attacks the pods of 

 Tephrosia Candida, Crotalaria, Indigofera, Bauhinia and Cajanits 

 indicus. T. Candida is also attacked by Euproctis scintillans, Maruca 

 testulalis (which also attacks Cajanus indicus) and the Coreid bugs 

 Riptortus pedestris and R. fuscus. Cajanus indicus is attacked by 

 the Membracids Leptocentrus sp. and Gargara sp., the Pentatomids 

 Nezara viriduki, Cyclopelta siccifolia, Brachyplatys cingalensis, Cop- 

 tosoma cribrarium and C. siamicum, the Lycaenid Lampides baetica, 

 Agromyza sp. and the Meloid beetle Mylabris pustulatus. 



