Chapter XI 

 The Extermination of Pests 



COCONUTS are no more immune than other 

 tropical plants from the attacks of insects, 

 which cause considerable damage unless 

 their ravages be arrested by timely preventive 

 measures. 



These insects may be grouped in three principal 

 classes : (1) Those which suck the juices from the 

 plants, (2) those which feed on the leaves, and 

 (3) those which bore their way into the roots and 

 stems. 



The principal member of the first class is the 

 Bourbon Aspidiotus (Aspidiotus destructor), a scale 

 insect which occurs on the leaves, where large 

 numbers are often clustered together, thus pre- 

 senting the appearance of a scurfy or scaly layer. 

 Separate insects are not very conspicuous, but 

 masses of them are easily seen. The scale itself is 

 flat, whitish, thin and papery, with a pale yellow 

 central spot. It generally occurs on the first leaves 

 of young plants, older leaves are also affected, 



