516 



or export purposes. The question of the best method of deahng 

 with the infested bulb and the stem belonging to it is a difficult one. 

 A suggestion in Jamaica was that infested bulbs should be dug up, 

 cut into thin slices and spread over the ground [see this Review. Ser. A, 

 V, p. 435]. Experfinents made in St. Lucia indicated that bulbs so 

 treated would soon shrivel, but not readily decay, and thus it is 

 thought that they would have but little attraction for the weevil 

 grubs. It is suggested that infested bulbs so cut up need only be left 

 exposed to sun and rain for a few days to ensure the death of any 

 weevil larvae ;. they could then be ploughed under in the ordinary 

 course of cultivation. It is not feasible to suggest any direct methods 

 of control until more is known about the relation of the weevil to its 

 food-plants under Jamaica conditions. The introduction of Histerid 

 beetles [Pluesins javanus] from Java suggests itself as one method 

 of direct control that may meet Avith some success. No natural 

 enemies of C. sordidus have been observed in St. Lucia. 



The Dynastid beetle, Tomarus hituhefOidatus, was found to be 

 fairly common in St. Lucia on the plantain and occasionally on the 

 makabou. It was not found attacking ordinary bananas and it 

 seems likely that the banana is less susceptible than the related species 

 of Musa. It attacks young plantains soon after these are planted. 

 The adult beetle bores into the bulb, making large tunnels in the tissue 

 and eventually causes the death of the plant ; it may also be found 

 in the soil below the bulb. Three Scarabaeid larvae were found in 

 the soil near the roots of a makabou banana ; these may possibly 

 be young larvae of Tomarus sp. This beetle also attacks tannias and 

 dasheens before they are very far advanced, burrowing into the bulb 

 and sometimes leaving only the part above ground. The only remedy 

 at present seems to be to dig out and destroy the beetle and replant. 

 One individual of Metamasius sericeus (striped weevil borer of bananas) 

 was found at the base of a banana plant which was also attacked 

 by the black weevil. 



Insects attacking limes included a few adult weevils of Diaprepes 

 ahbreviatus var. punctatus found on the leaves of lime-trees on one 

 estate. Adults, eggs and a few newly-hatched larvae were collected 

 before the}- could attack the young roots on which they feed. Collection 

 seems to be the most practicable method of control and should be 

 practised particularly in May and June when the adults are emerging 

 from the ground. Scales, including Chionaspis citri (snow scale), 

 Lepidosaphes beckii (purple scale) and Coccus viridis (green scale) 

 were numerous on trees that were neglected or insufficiently drained. 

 L. becl-ii was largely attacked by the white-headed fungus 

 {Ophionectria coccicola) and the red-headed fungus [Sphnerostilhe 

 coccophila), while Chionaspis citri was occasionally found attacked by 

 the Ijlack fungus {Myrangium duriaei). The Coccinellid, Exochomus 

 niiidulus, was observed in the adult and larval stages feeding on these 

 scale-insects. A small weevil found feeding upon and notching the 

 leaves of limes has been identified as Cyphus {Neocyphus) pudens, Boh. 

 It apparently emerges to feed on the leaves in the evening. The larvae 

 probably live at *t]i,e roots of some plant. Adults emerge from the 

 ground with the first heavy rains in April or Ma}^ and continue to 

 do so for several weeks. They should be collected before oviposition 

 can take place and should be watched for wherever citrus is grown 



