ard — 
Are very flat, very slow and nearly always hide between the folds of the fronds. 
The last segment terminates in two inclined hooks, which cannot be moved. 
The full grown larva measures 8 or 9 mM. in length and 3 mM. in width, 
The pupa is of a butter yellow colour. For its general appearance and 
appendages see the plates. Experiments with pupae loosened from the 
leaves to which they were attached by their ventral side showed that they possess 
a strong consciousness of up or down and are positively heliotropic besides. 
The pupal stage lasts 7 to 9 days. The development under laboratory 
and natural conditions from the laying of the egg until the emergence of 
the beetle from the pupa, lasts upon an average 52 days. 
The beetles live extraordinarily long, e.g. under laboratory conditions 
6 to 8 months! The highest number of eggs amounts to 93 in six months. 
The eggs at Padang were severely parasitised, up to 62/,. The parasite 
is a small wasp not quite 1 mM. in length. Only one emerged from every 
egg. It appears to belong to the family of Chalcididae. Particulars are given 
in the text, and the species is figured on plate 2. The development of this small 
parasitic wasp takes 16 or 17 days. 
For combating this Hispid pest, several experiments have been made. 
First tobacco-soap was tried but found inefficient, especially as regards the 
eggs (10 liters water, 100 grams tobacco and 200 grams soap were tried). 
A 39/9soap solution was also insufficient for killing the eggs, but both insecticides 
were rather efficient for killing beetles and larvae. Most efficient for killing 
beetles as well as larvae was a 2°/, solution of lead arsenate. Young coconut 
plants, attacked by the Hispid, weres prayed with a 2°/, lead arsenate solution 
and kept in a very much infested area. All with the exception of one remained 
free from the pest for as long as 2 months. 
As a preventive measure it will be advisable to spray young infested 
plants in the nursery before planting them in the field. 
Illustrations. 
Plate 1. 
fig. 1. Egg of Bronthispa, greatly enlarged. 
» 2. Larva of Bronthispa, greatly enlarged. 
„» 3. Chrysalidof Bronthispa(seenfromthedorsalside), greatly enlarged. 
Plaft 2. 
fig. 1. Bronthispa, adult female, greatly enlarged. 
„ 2. Egg-parasite of Bronthispa (female), greatly enlarged. 
„ 3. Antenna of the male egg-parasite. 
Plate 3. Young coconut palm, seriously injured by larvae and beetles. 
The little strips next to the figures of PI. 1 and 2 indicate the natural size. 
The little wasp is 0.8 m.m. long; the antenna of the male is 0.4 m m. long. 
