RUBBER 017 



Orthoptera. 



Various grasshoppers are accused of nipping off the 

 young seedlings in the nursery beds. Specimens sub- 

 mitted for examination proved to be immature Acridians, 

 too young for identification. . 



The "spotted locust" (Aularches militaris} occasion- 

 ally appears in 'enormous numbers in certain parts of 

 Ceylon, and attracts attention by defoliating various trees 

 planted as shade for cocoa. Fortunately, it does not 

 often directly attack cultivated products, but an instance 

 has been reported of partial defoliation of young rubber 

 plants. Aularches militaris is a gaudily coloured insect 

 and can scarcely escape observation, with its yellow- 

 spotted wings and brilliant red-and-black body. This 

 locust has the habit of congregating in vast numbers at 

 certain spots to deposit their eggs. In one such patch, 

 about 4 yds. square, I found the insects completely 

 covering the ground to a depth of 3 or 4 in. The soil 

 beneath them was closely pitted with holes, each about 

 3 in. deep and \ in. in diameter. In these holes were 

 masses of eggs enclosed in a frothy covering. This 

 habit affords a convenient opportunity for taking action 

 against the pest. When the locusts are crowded together 

 on these breeding grounds they may be collected and 

 destroyed with the greatest ease (as they make no effort 

 to escape). The simplest method is to sweep them into 

 sacks, which may then be sunk under water until the 

 insects are dead. Bags made of coir matting are most 

 suitable, as they admit the water more readily. A trial 

 bag filled at one of these places of assembly was found 

 to weigh 106 Ib. As a single insect weighs, on an 

 average, just J oz., this bag must have contained 

 about 12,800 individuals, allowing 6 Ib. for the weight 

 of the bag. From this one spot twenty such bags 

 could have been filled without difficulty. After repeatedly 

 clearing away and destroying the insects until they cease 

 to assemble there, the ground on the immediate spot and 

 for a short distance all round should be broken up to a 

 depth of 6 in. and quicklime turned in. This will ensure 

 the almost complete destruction of the brood. The mere 



