187 



plantations has been wise, as the result undoubtedly has been to 

 drive the beetle farther afield, while if some of the damaged trees 

 had been allowed to stand, they might have acted as traps and confined 

 the pest to a smaller area, the decreased output in the year under 

 review, which has erroneously been attributed solely to the effects 

 of the beetle, has been due in a large measure to three severe storms 

 followed by a drought. In considering suggestions for control, the 

 necessity for clean lands is emphasised, all rubbish, rotten wood, etc., 

 being ideal breeding-places for the beetle. Regarding the utility of 

 Dr. Friederich's fungus, the evidence is very contradictory, but ob- 

 viously this method is both slow in operation and expensive, and 

 requires expert manipulation. It is, however, the opinion of the 

 Commission that, should scientific methods be adopted, a proper 

 and well-sustained trial of this fungus should be made. In an adden- 

 dum, the mycologist at Peradeniya, Ceylon, reports that efforts to 

 infect the larvae of the beetle with this fungus have failed there, 

 even under the most favourable conditions. As Orijctes nasicornis 

 shows a preference for wild palms rather than coconuts and has been 

 found abundantly in the virgin bush, it is very doubtful whether the 

 island can ever be totally cleared of the pest. Possibly a liberal 

 cultivation of w^ild palms on the fringes of plantations might protect 

 to some extent the cultivated variety, while it may be found necessary 

 to clear the virgin bush of breeding-places, the evidence proves 

 that pigs are of great value as destroyers of larvae and, wherever 

 possible, they should be allowed to run free in the plantations. The 

 evidence also shows that where cattle are present lands are clean. 

 Legislation should be introduced requiring planters to obtain 

 permits before opening new clearings or cutting down bush. 

 Suggestions were constantly made in the evidence as to the desirability 

 of the introduction of a natural enemy to control this beetle, but this 

 would involve the engagement of a staff of entomologists for the pur- 

 pose of finding a suitable parasite. Unfortimately, those who have 

 been studying the palm-destroying insects for years have so far failed 

 to find any natural enemy which would be useful as a control. The 

 necessity for thorough and systematic search for beetles and larvae 

 on the part of the natives is insisted upon. The Commission is of the 

 opinion that more European inspectors should be appointed, and these, 

 in the event of their not being satisfied with the search effected by 

 plantation owners, should be empowered to issue permits to natives 

 to carry out this work. 



South (F. W.). Summary of Locust Work for the 3rd Quarter 1916. 



— Agric. Bull. Fed. Malay States, Kuala Lumpur, v, no, 3, 

 December 1916, pp. 64-72, 1 table. [Received 6th March 1917.] 



At the date of issuing this quarterly report the work for the season 

 had not been concluded. Practically the whole period was occupied 

 with destroying the very large generation of locusts which hatched 

 out in the States of Negri Sembilan, Malacca and Johore. Good 

 work was done in the first two districts, but, owing to local difficulties 

 which hampered the work in some centres, some swarms escaped, 

 more especially in Johore. Several swarms may therefore be expected 

 in this State during the coming quarter. A table is given showing 



(C3i;3) a2 



