PESTS 41 



it inserts its beak through the epidermis of the 

 leaf and begins to suck the sap from the soft 

 inside tissue ; after becoming thus attached, the 

 young insect seldom moves, unless disturbed, 

 until it attains its full size. Shortly before 

 emerging as a winged insect it stops feeding, 

 but remains attached to the leaf. Though 

 comparatively weak fliers, the danger of their 

 passing through the air from one tree to another 

 is greatly increased by the action of the wind, 

 since, when the insect may only wish to fly 

 from one leaf to another, it may be accidentally 

 borne by the wind to a considerable distance. 



" The pest does not apparently kill the tree, 

 but very seriously affects the crop and the 

 growth, and as regards the remedy, it appears 

 that if the insects have already infested the 

 trees all the leaves so attacked should be cut 

 off and burnt, and spraying with kerosine oil may 

 in some instances be advisable. 



" It is, however, very satisfactory to learn that 

 if the pest is taken properly in hand on its 

 first appearance there is little chance of its 

 spreading, and if this is the case I may impress 

 again upon those interested in coconuts the 

 importance of seeing that their plantations 

 are thoroughly cultivated and maintained in 

 good order." 



Agricultural Pests Enactment. To prevent 

 the spread of pests it is interesting to learn 

 that the Federated Malay States Government 



