NOTES ON INSECTS INTRODUCED INTO MAURITIUS. 1 73 



Sarcopsylla penetrans. 



The jigger has been repeatedly introduced from Madagascar and Farquhar Island 

 since 1910. Rare cases of infection were noticed at Port Louis several years ago. 

 The flea has since never been found elsewhere. 



Solenopsis sp. (Red Ant). 



It has not been possible to identify this ant up to now, and it is not therefore 

 possible to say what is its country of origin. It is stated to have existed in Pample- 

 mousses for the last twenty years. The writer first encountered it at Rose Hill in 

 the district of Plaines Wilhems some fifteen years ago, when it was only to be found 

 in a few places. 



It is now widespread throughout the island, being quite common on the coast 

 and in hot places, where it has become a regular pest ; it is still relatively rare in the 

 higher districts, where it has not hitherto attracted special notice. It rarely 

 estabhshes itself in houses ; on the other hand it is a serious pest of food crops 

 wherever it has estabhshed itself, building its nests deeply in the soil and extending 

 its subterranean galleries in every direction for long distances. It steals small 

 seeds from seed beds and eats on the spot larger seeds which it cannot carry away ; 

 it also attacks young seedhngs. 



Coccidae. 



As one would expect, importations have been more numerous in this family 

 than in any other, not only from the year 1900 but also previous to that date. 

 In a monograph published by the author in 1900, 54 species were mentioned, among 

 which three only could be considered as indigenous. This number has since been 

 increased by eight more ; these are : — Asterolecanium spectabile, Newst., Aspidiotus 

 destructor, Sign., Aspidiotus mauritianus, Newst., Chionaspis simplex, Green, 

 Lecanium mangiferae, Green, Lecanium hesperidum, L., Pulvinaria antigo?ii, Green, 

 and Pulvinaria sp. 



Asterolecanium spectabile and Aspidiotus mauritianus. 



These scales were observed for the first time in 1915 in Pamplemousses Gardens 

 and at the Botanic Gardens, Curepipe, on various species of palms and on Cycas 

 revoluta and Cycas sp. They cause much harm to these plants in spite of the fact 

 that the insects are highly parasitised by various Chalcids during a certain part of 

 the year. 



Aspidiotus destructor. 



This species also appears to be of relatively recent introduction, as it is only 

 quite lately that guavas, the plants on which they are most abundant, show visible 

 signs of infestation. It is probable that the insect was imported from South Africa, 

 whence a considerable number of plants have been introduced during the last ten 

 years. 



Chionaspis simplex. 



This species has hitherto been found only on bamboos and is relatively rare, 

 causing no apparent damage to this plant ; it presents no importance whatever 

 from an economic standpoint. 



