676 FEOCEEDINGS OF THE THIRD ENTOMOLOGICAL MEETING 



In about three years, it was reported that the spread of Lantana in 

 Hawaii had been very greatly checked. In Hawaii this method was 

 however to some extent marred by the introduction by irresponsible 

 persons, private ranchmen, of the Lantana bug, Orthezia insignis, 

 which, though an extremely effective check on Lantana, was found to 

 spread to cultivated plants. 



In 1908-1909, a shipment of seed-fly was reported to have been made 

 from Hawaii for New Caledonia and in 1912 we hear of the fly having 

 been successfully introduced there. The seed-fly appears to have been 

 introduced into Fiji in 1915, and a Bulletin was pubhshed in 1916 

 reporting successful results. In Februaryl917, seed-fly was introduced 

 from Hawaii into Queensland. 



The successful results reported by the entomologists in Hawaii 

 and Fiji led to the question of the advisability of trying the same method 

 in India also. On the question being referred to them, all the responsible 

 entomologists in India warned the Government of India as to the risks 

 involved in the introduction of foreign insects into a new country, as 

 it was impossible to estimate the potentialities of an introduced insect 

 in its adopted country. They further considered that the indigenous 

 insects attacking Lantana in India might first be studied, especially 

 with reference to their efficiency in preventing the spread of Lantana 

 in India. Hence my deputation on Lantana work. 



Lantana ivorh. 



I have been engaged on this work since 15th November 1916 and 

 have, under instructions from the Imperial Entomologist, visited 

 I;antana-infested tracts in the various parts of India. Nearly five 

 months were spent in Coorg, which is without question the part worst- 

 affected by Lantana in India. After Coorg, parts of the Wynaad, the 

 Nilgiris and the Anamalais, portions of Mysore, the Ramandrug Hills, 

 Dharwar, parts of Burma and Assam, parts of the United Provinces, 

 the Punjab and the Central Provinces were visited, and as far as possible 

 observations as to the occurrence of pests on Lantana have been made 

 and specimens of insects collected and reared. 



There have, however, been certain factors which have tended to 

 limit the degree of thoroughness of this work. If the best results are 

 to be obtained, it is indisputable that Lantana ought to be examined 

 at the right time in each Province in order to observe with accmacy 

 the degree of maximum effectiveness of the chief insects of the parti- 

 cular Province. Owing to the large area to be covered, it was of course 

 impossible to arrange to visit each Province at the really proper time. 



