4!2G ritocKEuiNGS of the third entomological meeting 



From the beginning until the third week of December 1918, the para- 

 sites were so numerous that large numbers of them were to be seen on 

 the infested leaves close to the nymphs and puparia. Their colour 

 is black and as such they are seen distinctly against the greenish or pale- 

 green background of the leaves. Of the three parasites observed to 

 be plentiful during December 1918, the one figured below was the most 

 prominent. It*is a shiny black Chalcidid with antennae and legs pale 

 stramineous. The wings have no veins ; instead there is a shght thicken- 

 ing of the costal margin at base. The tibial spur on anterior leg is very 

 prominent. The third antennal joint is the shortest and the apical 

 joint is transversely, obliquely though very faintly divided in some 

 specimens. In others the divisions are not prominent. In some speci- 

 mens the apical joint of the left antenna is broader and flatter than 

 the. apical joint of the right antenn i which is thin and pointed as shown 

 in the figures below. This shows the variation taking place in indivi- 

 dual specimens of the same species. In future generations these varia- 

 tions may become fixed and lead to the growth of new species. There 

 were as many as 3 to 6 clean circular holes on some puparia and this 

 shows that a pupariurii could harbour as manv as .six parasites within 

 it. (Plate 73.) 



The fact that at times and in particular localities the pest is very 

 bad will be clear to any one who has opportunities of observilig it on its 

 favourite foodplant, the sugarcane, in various localities in the sugarcane- 

 growing tracts in Northern India. At Pusa the pest is bad in some 

 years. A single affected leaf has been counted to contain from 146 to 

 as many as 517 nymphs and puparia, and ' ne can easily form an idea of 

 the sap drained off by such a large horde of insects which exude honey- 

 dew so copiously that it lies thickly on the leaves and gives rise to the 

 black fungus. In 1907 we tried to remove the affected leaves in the 

 worst infested plots and much good was done. But this measure though 

 effective is very drastic in its apphcation and I am chary how far it will 

 commend itself to the cultivators. Besides this, no other easy and 

 equally effective measure seems to be practicable. Some such measure 

 was also adopted by the Superintendent of Entomology, Baroda. in 1911 

 or thereabout and he remarked : — 



" The result of operations was that all the canes became leafless. 

 A few weeks after the aspect changed and the plants put ' 

 forth healthy and vigorous leaves and the whole crop was 

 tlius reheved of the pest." 



The area treated was one acre and 3 gunthas and four cuttings were 

 made on the IVIodel Farm, Baroda. 



