lO 



nearly dead leaves; but the eatinq- of the rind nia\" l)e considered 

 as injurious in the extent to which it may allow an entrance for 

 fungus spores, etc. The eatinq- of the "eyes" is a serious injury, 

 however, not alone from its producing a condition, or an op- 

 portunity for the admission of fungus spores ; but chieflv by its 

 rendering the cane valueless for -"seed." This would not apply 

 of course where only "top-seed" is used for ])lanting', as usually 

 this is higher than where the "bud worms" are accustomed to 

 feed ; but where, as is often the case, short ratoons are used for 

 seed, and the whole of the stick used, the cuttings from the lower 

 part, or even the whole stick, may be quite worthless for planting 

 on account of the number of "eyes" which have been eaten by 

 this insect. The eating is often done in such an ol)scure way as 

 to be readily overlooked. Usually the larva eats a tiny hole 

 through the outer scales of the bud and consumes the inner soft 

 portion. This entrance hole may be made at the base of the bud, 

 or l)ehind it. where not readil\- seen ; hence, the extent of the in_- 

 jurv is not alwa}s conspicuous, but thorough examination should 

 be made of any doubtful cuttings where the larvae are noticed 

 in alnmdance. Their presence is made known ( even though not 

 seen themselves), by the silken web by which they partially con- 

 ceal themselves and endeavor to protect themselves from enemies, 

 and also by the numerous tiny pellets of excrement which are 

 always present where they have been feeding, whether at the 

 base of leaves, or on the outside or inside of the leaf-sheaths. 



The larvae of this moth also feed on dead leaves of palms,, 

 bananas, pineapples, and Pandanns ; and amongst the bananas on 

 the bunch eating dead tissues and sometimes the skin of the fruit. 

 They are also often numierous amongst the fibrous material at 

 base of palm leaves ; and frequently amongst the bracts at base 

 of pineapples. In none of these places^ however, are they to be 

 considered injurious, merely feeding on dead tissues. 



LIFE HISTORY. 



The eggs (Plate IT, Fig. 3) are laid singly, or often a few- 

 near together, on the inner surface of the leaf-sheath, sometimes 

 on the outer surface as well, deposited lengthwise in the slight 

 longitudinal grooves of its surface. T have counted as many as 

 twentv-three on one sheath, sixteen of which were within a distance 



