430 



Chrysofa sp. A shipment of the CoccinelHd, Delphastus catalinae, 

 Horn, is to be sent during the summer from Cahfornia, where it controls 

 Aleiirodes helloggi. The scale-insect, Fiorinia proboscidaria , Green, 

 has been recorded for the first time on citrus in Jamaica. The purple 

 scale, Lepidosaphes beckii, was reported as abundant in one locality, 

 but was checked by spraying. Pachnaeiis citri, Mshl., sp. n., is a 

 green weevil that has been found injuring citrus leaves. 



Pimento trees have been dying out extensively. An investigation 

 resulted in the Cerambycid beetles, Cylindera flava, F., and NeocJytus 

 longipes, Drury, being bred from sickly and dead pimento wood. A 

 new species of Plectrothrips was found in the tunnels of the Cerambycid 

 larvae. The trunks and larger branches of pimento trees were heavily 

 infested by a new species of armoured scale, Odonaspis pimenfae, 

 Newst., which prevented the normal shedding of the bark. No internal 

 parasites have been bred out, but the scale is attacked by a black 

 fungus {Myriaiifjium, diiriaei) and the red-headed fungus {Sphaerostilbe 

 coccophila). The soft scale {Llaveia jwimiiiva var. jnmentae, Newst., 

 nov.) is found beneath the loose bark of pimento. A Cercopid (spittle 

 insect) injures developing buds, blossom and berry clusters. Termites 

 attack trees that have been damaged by storm or by careless fruit- 

 pickers. Such damage should be repaired and all termite nests treated 

 with white arsenic. 



Pineapple was found to be attacked by a weevil new to science, 

 Metamasius ritchiei, Marshall ; the borings made by this weevil cause 

 the fruit to rot, the brown weevil, M. sericeus, Oliv., frequently 

 attacking the fermenting pines. A suggested method of control is 

 the digging out of infested plants and splitting them open so as to 

 expose the immature stages to their natural enemies and to kill them 

 by the drying out of the plants. Diaspis broineliae, Kern, (pineapple 

 scale) and Pseudococcus bromeliae, Bch. (mealy-bug) are found wherever 

 pines are grown. Care should be taken to procure clean slips, and 

 subsequently to control the attendant ants. Carbolic acid added to 

 the citrus sprays is recommended as a wash for scale and mealy-bug, 

 and as a repellent for the ants. Coccinellid larvae occur, and red 

 spider is often troublesome at the leaf-bases, but is generally controlled 

 b}' tobacco decoctions. 



I Insects attacking stored products include the larvae of the moth 

 ' Ephesiia cautella, Walk., in cacao beans and banana figs ; Lasioderma 

 serricorne, F., in banana flour and in cigars. 



Maize was considerably damaged by the hopper, Peregrinus maidis, 

 Ashm. A Halticid, Dison/ycha laevigata, Jac, was found on maize 

 without apparently causing any damage, but calulu was in one locality 

 destroyed by this beetle. 



Sweet-potato leaves were attacked by the Halticid, Chaetocnema 

 apricaria, Suffr., and by the Cassidid, Coptocyda flavolineata, Latr. 

 The destruction of wild or native Ipomoeas, on which the latter beetle 

 feeds, is recommended. The scarabee, Euscepes batatae, Waterh., 

 and the weevil, Cylas formicarius, caused some damage, as in previous 

 years. Sanitation in the field, rotation of crops, etc., have been 

 recommended. A weevil grub in sweet-potato tubers, which has 

 caused much damage, is under observation. Occasional injury is 

 caused to tubers by Lachnosterna grubs and to the vines by the soft 

 scale, Mesolecanium batatae, Ckll. 



