WEEVIL. '209 



into the stem ; a large number of eggs are laid in each plant and sooner 

 or later the plant probably dies. The grubs when full fed prepare a 

 cocoon of the twisted fibres of the stem ; how the grub in the seclusion of 

 the stem is able to prepare this cocoon is one of the marvellous things 

 in the life of this insect. The beetle presently emerges from this cocoon 

 and comes out of the tree. 



The life history in this case probably occupies one year but has not 

 been ascertained in India. The insect is destructive to cocoanut palm 

 in Ceylon and the Straits Settlements; another species is injurious to 

 palms in Honduras and the West Indies in the same way. A great 

 deal has been written about these insects in these countries, where they 

 are far more important than in India. In Ceylon legislation is proposed 

 against them, the law compelling every owner of trees to take certain 

 measures against the weevils. 



All remedies are directed to two ends, to prevent egg-laying in the 

 palm-trees, to destroy all weevils that breed. For the first, the Rhinoceros 

 Beetle must also be destroyed, and in Ceylon this is done. Secondly, the 

 cuts made by tappers must be so treated that the weevils cannot lay 

 their eggs there ; this is effected in Gujarat by smearing the cut with 

 the juice of Euphorlia neriifolia. Blandford suggested a mixture of tar 

 and sand for the Honduras weevil, and it is likely that, if available, tar 

 would do equally well in India. As it is, clay must be used or any other 

 substance which the tapper can obtain and which will keep the weevil 

 from the cut. This treatment must include other cuts and wounds, in 

 fact all openings at which the weevil could lay eggs. 



To destroy the weevils it is necessary to burn badly attacked trees, 

 and the legislation in Ceylon is designed to make this compulsory. A 

 tree that is infested and dies is a source of danger to all, since the weevils 

 that are in it come out and infest other trees. Where trees are only 

 lightly attacked and the attack is seen in time, the grubs are cut out 

 and the wound treated with tar and mud. Mr. Green in Ceylon has 

 got better results by treating attacked trees with carbon bisulphide, and 

 this is deserving of trial in India. 



