15 



Mr. Briton-Jones, Mycologist to the Ministry of Agriculture, 

 has very kindly examined the green i'ungus for me, but up to the 

 present he has got no proof of its being definitely parasitic. He states 

 that the fungus in question is Aspergillm flaviis and that he found 

 traces of Asp&rgillus niger associated with it. I have observed this 

 latter fungus in small quantities on the cane myself, but as it does not 

 appear to affect the insect I have disregarded it. Mr. Briton-Jones 

 suggests that the medium for these fungi may the " honey dew " 

 secreted by the insects and that death may be brought about by the 

 blocking of the glands and spiracles. If the " honey dew " were the 

 medium I should expect to find the fungus growing on the gum which 

 contains a high percentage of " honey dew." This, however, is not the 

 case ; I have only observed the fungi growing on and immediately 

 around the insects. 



Whether the " honey dew " proves to be the medium or not the 

 fact remains that either directly or indirectly the death of an appreciable 

 percentage of the insect population is effected. 



This fungoid attack, like the work of the rat, can only be regarded 

 as a subsidiary control because it only comes into action on heavily 

 infected canes. It may assist in preventing the outbreak from getting 

 completely out of hand, but it cannot be relied upon to exercise any 

 effective control of the pest. 



Aspergillus flawis is well known in the West Indies and elsewhere 

 as exercising a controlling influence on the activities of Pseudococcuft 

 sacchari CKLL. 



No other parasites, either animal or fungoid, were observed, with 

 the exception of fly larvae of two different species that were found 

 in very small numbers in one field. Unfortunately the attempts to 

 breed these through were unsuccessful, but no doubt a further oppor- 

 tunity will occur later. 



Ants were found to be fairly common, searching as usual for the 

 " honey dew " of the mealy bug. COLLEMBOL^E and Phyllodromia 

 treitliana WEKNER (BLATTID^E) were also observed, but it is improbable 

 that these are of any economic importance in the control of the pest. 

 Arrangements have been made to import Cryptolcemus montrou- 

 zieiri MULS. a COCCINELLID from the South of France. This species 

 of CRYPTOLAEMUS has proved itself elsewhere a predator of Pseudococcus 

 sacchari CKLL. and other species of Pseudococcus and has been imported 

 and bred in many countries for this purpose. It does not necessarily 

 follow, however, that it will thrive in this country and, even if it 

 does, it will take years to establish itself and make its presence felt. 

 It is therefore of paramount importance that at present reliance for 

 the control of this pest should not be placed on natural enemies, but 

 that artificial measures should be introduced without delay. 



