162 p. A. TEMPANY AND D. d'eMMEREZ DE CHARMOY. 



Collection of the Insects. 



The collection of insects by hand has proved one of the most effective methods 

 of controlling the pest, and in this connection organised work under Government 

 supervision on a considerable scale has been carried out systematically each year. 



The methods adopted have comprised the collection of insects by the general public, 

 combined with collection by gangs in localities where the infestation is light. In 

 regard to public collections the principle observed is the purchase of the collected 

 beetles at rates dictated by the abundance of the insects at any particular period, 

 as gauged by the number of insects captured ; a sliding scale of payments has been 

 worked out in this connection, and the rates paid are fixed in accordance therewith. 

 The work of collecting usually commences in the month of October and continues 

 uninterruptedly till March. The months of greatest emergence are December and 

 January, during which period the daily catches not infrequently run into several 

 milhons. 



The capture of the beetles commences at about 6.30 p.m. and continues up to 10.30 

 p.m. The habit of the insect lends itself to this particular form of control measure, 

 inasmuch as at nightfall it emerges from the soil, where it lies buried during the day, 

 takes a short flight to the nearest bush or tree, and remains there for hours nibbling 

 .slowly at the leaf on which it has settled. The insects are undisturbed by lights 

 and are readily collected by searchers who look for them with lanterns. 



Beetles caught each night are received, measured and purchased at Pamplemoussses 

 ■Gardens on the following morning, and immediately after measurement destroyed 

 by fire. During busy seasons the work of measuring beetles occupies many hours. 

 The method employed in computing the number of captured beetles is by means of 

 measurement in containers of standard size and known capacity. To facilitate the work 

 ■of collecting beetles, purchasers are licensed by the Agricultural Department, who buy 

 beetles from the general public at certain specified points on the night they are col- 

 lected and resell to the officer in charge the next morning ; while many estates also 

 iollow the same practice, in some cases paying slightly enhanced premiums in order 

 to attract collectors, and also supplying oil for lanterns, collecting receptacles, &c. • 



With regard to collection of insects by gangs as opposed to public collection, 

 this form of control has of necessity to be practised in regions where the infestation 

 is light and beetles are not numerous, since under the system of purchase, beetle 

 hunters are obviously attracted only to localities in which insects are plentiful, 

 while the scale of operations renders impossible any disc: imination in the matter 

 of prices in relation to the localities in which captures are efiected. 



Two quite distinct cases occur in which collection by gangs is indicated ; the 

 first is that of places well mthin the infested area at which the beetles are not numer- 

 ous ; the second is in the case of the peripheral zone, where infestation is light and 

 where slow outward spread to previously uninfested regions is taking place. 



This outward spreading constitutes one of the most serious aspects of the situation. 

 By 1917 the increase in the infested area had become so marked that special measures 

 to restrict the spread became necessary. With this object in view the periphery 

 of the infested zone was resurveyed in 1917 ; following this the periphery was 

 divided between a series of patrols, and to each patrol a special collecting gang was 

 assigned. Each gang consists of from 8-10 labourers under the charge of a head- 

 man ; it is provided with powerful acetylene lights to assist in the detection of 



