104 



PROCEEDINGS OF THE THIRD ENTOMOLOGICAL MEETING 



Coniheyla rotunda, Hmpsn. 

 Hmpsn., B. J. XVI, 196 ; Proc. Second Entl. Meeting, pp. 20, 259. 



This species, originally described from Kanara, occurred as a pest 

 of coconut in S. Malabar in February and March 1916, the larvae 

 damaging the foliage and sometimes the flower-shoots and rinds of young 

 nuts. When full-fed, the larva pupates in a small, oval, hard, shell-like 

 cocoon, numbers of which are found on badly attacked tree-fronds. 

 Spraying with Lead Arsenate was tried but found impracticable, and 

 the preventive measures of cutting off first-attacked fronds and the 

 destruction of the shell-like cocoons found on the trees before an outbreak 

 raiijats were suggested and taken up by the raiyats (Madras Monthly 

 Report for March 1916). 



It has also recently been reported as doing some damage to tea in the 

 Wynaad. 



Parasa lepida, Cram. 

 S. I. I., pp. 410-411, ff. 283, 284 ; Proc. Second Entl. Meeting, 

 pp. 19, 28, 87, 217, 232, 234, 258, 262, 299. 

 Occurs throughout India (except North-West) and Ceylon as a sporadic 

 major pest of mango, Ficus spp., coconut, rose, plantain and various 

 other plants. The young larvas are gregarious and may be destroyed 

 en masse ; later on, they scatter and feed solitarily. The round shell- 

 like cocoons are often seen clustered in large numbers on tree-trunks 

 and the enclosed larvae and pupae may be destroyed by crushing. Unless 

 the hands and body are covered whilst doing this, an irritation is caused. 

 The larval spines are highly poisonous and the larvae should not be 

 handled. 



Phycita dentilinella was found predaceous on this insect at Coimbatore. 

 Our records include the following locaUties and foodplants : — 



Parasa lepida is pretty bad on young mango trees in 'Madras. We 

 have done a coloured plate of it [exhibited]. 



Altlia nivea, Wlk. 

 S. 1. 1., pp. 411-412, f. 285 ; Proc. Second Entl. Meeting, p. 87. 

 Occurs throughout India as a very minor pest of castor. 



