enemies are known. The following Lepidoptera were also observed 

 on cotton ■.^Hypolimnas misi/pfus, L., Catopsilia sp., Acontia graellsii, 

 Feisth., Ojthiusa sp., Anomis erosa, Hb., and several Noctuidae. 



Among the Rhynchota, three species of cotton- stainers are well- 

 known in the Protectorate, viz. — Dysdercus nigrofasciatus, Stal, 

 D. infermedius, Dist., and Oxycarenu^ ? hyalinipeiinis, Costa. Dysdercus 

 spp. were prevalent from October to March. The native food-plants are 

 probably Hibiscus and other Malvaceae. Eggs are laid in rubbish 

 or in cracks in the soil. The egg-stage of D. intermedius lasts from 

 12 to 18 days. The larvae suck the plant-juices or the seeds in the 

 bolls. Reproduction can be delayed for a long time when food is 

 scarce. A Tachinid parasite of D. intermedius is known. A Reduviid 

 bug [PJionoctonvs nigrofasciatus, Stalj is predaceous on both species. 

 Small heaps of cotton-seed are excellent traps. The use of 

 cotton-seed as manure is largely responsible for early broods in 

 November and December. Well-rotted seed apparently does not 

 attract the insects. 0. 1 hyalinipennis was abundant late in 

 the season. The Coreid bug, Anoplocnemis curvipes, ¥., was 

 important during January and February, causing the death of 

 numerous young shoots. Eggs and nymphs, probably of this species, 

 were found in abundance on cotton plants and in all probability the 

 whole life-cycle is passed there. Other food-plants observed were sim- 

 flower, DaJilia, Hibiscus, mango, Ficus, Bracliystegia, mahogany and 

 wild Leguminosae. Membracidae, Jassidae, Aphis gossypii and 

 Aphis sp. were also observed on cotton. 



No very serious pest of tobacco was reported. Prodenia litura, F., 

 was present in some localities, three broods being observed up to the 

 end of March. The larvae also occurred on cotton, sunflower, mustard, 

 maize, etc. Natural control is apparently slight. One Hymenopteron 

 was bred from a larva on cotton in January. In March a few speci- 

 mens of the Ichneumon, Metopius discolor, Tosq., were reared. The 

 larvae in tobacco fields are eaten in considerable numbers by crows. 

 In nurseries, spraying with lead arsenate or hand-picking the egg- 

 masses are effective control measures. Observations in Nyasaland 

 have shown that the larvae feed during the day and hand-picking 

 can thus be performed at any time. Phthorimaea heliopa, Low. (tobacco 

 stem caterpillar), Lasioderma serricorne, F., cut- worms and Hippotion 

 celerio, L., were recorded on tobacco in some situations. 



Maize was chiefly attacked by borers of several species, though 

 damage to the leaf, cob and tassel also occurred. The Noctuid, 

 Busseola fusca, Hmp., deposits its eggs on the young shoots. The 

 larvae feed first on the leaves and then bore down the stem. This 

 insect can be largely controlled by topping as soon as the damage to 

 the young leaves is observed. A Cerambycid beetle was also a common 

 borer of maize. The cob was attacked by Chloridea obsoleta, Cirphis 

 loreyi, Eublemma sp., a Tineid and two Pyralids. Calandra oryzae, 

 L. (rice weevil) was abundant on ripening cobs in March. Individual 

 cobs with short sheaths appeared to be more affected by insects than 

 those with a long sheath. The latter type should therefore be chosen 

 in seed selection. Various Arctiidae and IvYMANTRiidae injured 

 the cob and leaves. Termites were present in some isolated patches 

 of maize. A Fulgorid, an Aphid and the ear-wig, Diaperaslicus 

 {Elaunon) erythrocephalus caused minor damage. 



