66 THE AGRICULTURAL PESTS OF INDIA. 



the crops over large areas. They multiply and increase 

 rapidly. A species of Lower Bengal, the ' gudhia,' attacks 

 the young poppy plant in November and December. 



Some species of Gryllus attack the young poppy plant 

 in all its stages ; others follow the seed into granaries, and 

 the Gryllotalpa vulgaris, with species of Acheta, Heliothis 

 armigera, and Tetranychus papaverse, take part in the 

 work of destruction. Acheta campestris, A. domestica, 

 and another species or variety in Bengal appear x from 

 the close of November to the middle of January. They 

 rarely attack the poppy plant in its germinating stage, 

 confining their attacks to the later stages of develop- 

 ment of its root-leaf system. They are the 'jhengur' of 

 Hindustan. A species of Acheta frequently commits sad 

 havoc on the young poppy crops, extending in dry seasons 

 from November to January, emerging during the night 

 from their hiding-place in the soil. The insectivorous 

 birds are great helps in their suppression, and dusting the 

 plants with powdered charcoal and lime, or ashes and 

 lime, is useful. J. Scott. See Cylindrodes ; Heliothis. 



Gryllotalpa vulgaris is often a serious pest to the 

 poppy, cutting over with its powerful mandibles con- 

 siderably advanced plants. It makes very extensive and 

 variously directed underground channels. The easiest 

 mode of destroying them is to flood their haunt, and catch 

 the insects as they emerge. It is a destructive creature 

 of nocturnal habits. It seems to be known in Bengal as 

 the goorgooria, or oo-chingra. J. Scott. 



