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Control measures include the tarring of wounds and the burning of 

 cut branches. Rhina harhirostris, L. (bearded weevil) attacks unhealthy 

 trees. The larvae are preyed on by the larvae of an Elaterid and 

 parasitised by an undetermined Tachinid fly. Palms which have been 

 burnt should have the charred parts cut out and should then be treated 

 with crude oil, tar, or a stiff paste of white lime to which is added lead 

 arsenate paste in the proportion of 5 lb. to 50 gals. lime. The so-called 

 flaming of trees for disease should be discontinued. Metamasius 

 hemipterus, L. (small weevil borer) is a secondary pest generally 

 associated with R. palmarum, and has the same natural enemies. 

 M. obsoletus, Gyl., Xyleborus affinis, Eich., and X. confusus, Eich. 

 (shot-hole borers), are treated in the same way as R. harhirostris. 

 Strategus aloeus, L. (rhinoceros beetle) attacks young palms by 

 burrowing into the stem from the base upwards. The larvae are 

 attacked by the green muscardine fungus and by Cordyceps sp. 

 Breeding can be prevented by burning rotting stems. Enema endymion, 

 Chev., Phileurus didymus, L,, Passalus interruptus, L., and Scahnus 

 inter stitialis, Eich., are also recorded pests. 



Brassolis sophorae, L. (coconut butterfly) may become a serious 

 pest when not checked by natural enemies. The latter include an 

 undetermined egg-parasite, a Tachinid parasite of the larva and a 

 Chalcid parasite of the pupa. The insect can be controlled by burning 

 the nests of the larvae and by spraying with lead arsenate in the 

 proportion of 4 lb. to 50 gals, water. Castnia licus, Drury (giant moth 

 borer) feeds on the soft tissues of the developing fronds. Attacked 

 leaves usually turn yellow, and the larvae, which are found at the base, 

 can be cut out and the wound treated with tar or crude oil. Sibina 

 modesta, Cram., Automeris liheria. Cram., Hesperus sp., and Tortrix sp., 

 occur occasionally on the coconut. 



The scale-insect Aspidiotus destructor. Sign., is associated with the 

 ant Azteca chartifex and may cause serious injury to mature trees. 

 It is attacked by a Hymenopterous parasite and by the predaceous 

 Coccinellids, Azya trinitatis, Mshl., and Cryptognatha nodiceps, 

 Mshl. The nests of the ants should be cut out of the stem and the 

 wounds painted with crude oil or tar. The scales can then be sprayed 

 with any insecticide. Icerya montserratensis, Riley and Howard 

 (Montserrat fluted scale), Vinsonia stellifera, Westw. (star scale), 

 Pinnaspis huxi, Bouche (long scale), Pseudococcus nipae, Mask, (yellow 

 mealy bug), have also been met with on coconuts. The last-named 

 is associated with an ant, Camponotus sp. 



The following Aleurodids occur in small numbers : — Dialeurodicus 

 pulcherrimus, Quaint, and Baker, Dialeurodicus sp., Aleurodicus cocois, 

 Curtis, A. trinidadensis, Quaint, and Baker, Aleurodes sp., and Para- 

 leurodes sp. Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis, Bch., is occasionally found 

 on the leaves. The leaf -cutting ant, Atta cephalotes, L., occasionally 

 defoliates young plants and A. octospinosa, Gunther, removes the male 

 flowers. Eutermes sp. and Calotermes sp. breed in decayed portions 

 of the trunk. Tropidacris dux, L. (giant grasshopper) has been 

 occasionally recorded on coconut. 



