PREFACE 



VI 1 



likely to prove inimical in a different manner, perhaps, but still inimical- 

 to some of the rarer forms of insect life in the struggle for existence, and 

 they will disappear. If this theory has any solid foundation on fact (and 

 my own personal observations would seem to indicate that it has), from 

 the point of view of the zoologist and the systematist it is of the first 

 importance that the insect fauna of the Indian forests should be collected 

 and classified. The spade-work that has already been accomplished 

 affords sufficient evidence, if evidence be required, that this collection is 

 equally necessary in the economic welfare of the Forest Estate. 



That the value of this work is recognized is well illustrated by the 

 illustrious band of European savants who are so freely and ungrudgingly 

 giving their valuable time to naming and describing the Indian collections 

 which are coming to hand. 



In this volume I have dealt with Indian forest insects from two 

 main aspects: firstly, the injurious insects, and secondly, the useful 

 insects, such as predaceous and parasitic species. As regards classification 

 I have followed Lefroy's arrangement in Indian Insect Life. The predaceous 

 and parasitic Coleoptera under this treatment appear therefore in their 

 correct positions in the system of classification. Each one, however, is 

 dealt with again and in fuller detail in the section treating of the pest upon 

 which it is predaceous or parasitic, its life history and other particulars 

 following that of its host. Each insect considered in the work is dealt 

 with, so far as possible, under the heads distribution, trees attacked, descrip- 

 tion of the species, life history, relations to the forest, and, where practicable, 

 remarks on protective and remedial measures for combating its attacks. 



The compilation of the work has proved more intricate than \vas 

 at first deemed probable, and has been dependent throughout on obtaining 

 the identification of the insects upon which it is based. Ur. A. E. Shiplr\. 

 Mr. Guy A. K. Marshall, and Dr. K. Steuart MacDongall, who kindly 

 looked through the proofs early in 1912, strongly advised my securing the 

 description of all new species and full identifications (not merely generic 

 ones) of every insect dealt with. This advice, which was acted upon, lot 

 to a lengthy but quite unavoidable delay in the publication of the book- 

 a delay which, I am assured, is fully justified. 



Without the unstinted and enthusiastic help that has been accorded 

 me by a large number of friends, the book, imperfect as all piomvr 

 works of necessity must be, would never have assumed its pivM-nt shape. 



The systematic study of forest insect pests may be said t<> owe its 

 origin to Sir Thomas Holderness, K. C.S.I., Permanent Under- Srcn-t.iry 

 of State for India, at the time Revenue-Secretary to tin- Government 

 of India, and the late Sir Denzil Ibbetson, K.C.S.I., Revenue M.-inl.rr 

 of Council. It was due to their recognition of the importanr<- .>t the 

 study of this branch of forest science being undertaken, when the 



