THE INSECTS. 11? 



planters spoke of " the blast " which was probably 

 the work of moth or beetle borers, but not until 

 ten to fifteen years ago was anything heard of the 

 great moth borer (Castnia licus) as a cane pest. 

 The insect is well known as a denizen of the forest, 

 where it feeds upon wild plantains, bromelias, and 

 orchids. It has never been considered common 

 nor is it seen in the forest in any great number ; 

 evidently its living was got under great difficulties. 

 But it discovered the sugar-cane, and is now going 

 through the plantations at a fearful rate. Over 

 thirty thousand have been caught on one planta- 

 tion in a month ; we may therefore safely state 

 that the actual number feeding on the canes 

 exceeded this by four or five times. Where perhaps 

 there were only a few thousands in the country we 

 now have millions. As every larva spoils a cane 

 it can easily be understood that the output of sugar 

 is much affected. Efforts are being made to fight 

 the pest, but as the larva is absolutely safe from its 

 natural enemies when sheltered within the cane, 

 only the troublesome way of catching the perfect 

 insect is available. It is curious, however, to note 

 that another pest, the rat, gnaws the cane to get at 

 the larva ; this does not help the planter very much 

 for in any case there is no sugar. 



The Castnia also bores into the banana and, 



