3o6 



SOME ENTOMOLOGICAL PROBLEMS IN THE WEST 



INDIES. 



By H. A. Ballou, M.Sc, Entomologist on the Stafi of 

 the Imperial Department of Agriculture. 



Since 1898 the Imperial Department of Agriculture has been 

 closely associated with the agricultural work in the West Indies. 

 The expression West Indies in this connection refers to the 

 islands comprised in the Windward and Leeward groups and 

 Barbados, for it has been in these islands that the Department 

 has exercised its advisory functions to the greatest extent. 

 The larger colonies, Jamaica, Trinidad, and British Guiana, 

 have never been closely associated with the Department, but 

 it has always been possible for them to seek and obtain advice 

 on all agricultural matters. Since the end of 1899, the Imperial 

 Department has numbered on its staff an Entomologist, whose 

 duties have included investigation of and advising upon insect 

 attacks on crops and domestic animals^* 



It may be of interest at this time to outline briefly a few 

 of the matters which have come before the Entomologist for 

 consideration, with special reference to those which are unique 

 in character, as are a few of the West Indian entomological 

 problems. 



Sugar Cane. 



Moth Borer and Weevil Borer. 



At the time of the formation of the Imperial Department 

 of Agriculture the critical condition of the sugar industry was 

 the chief concern to those who had the agricultural prosperity 

 of the West Indies at heart. In this connection the principal 

 problem to occupy the attention of the Entomologist was that 

 in connection with the control of the moth borer {Diatrœa 

 * See end of Article for notes. 



