HEMIPTERA INJURIOUS TO COCOA. 61 



places numbers o£ trees o£ four and five years^ standing had been killed. Near 

 Mramra it was observed that the results of an attack on the main trunk, 

 followed by partial recovery, tended to cause a growth of short bunches of 

 leaves from the main trunk, where snch conditions existed. In all severe 

 attacks, if the tree still survived, no fruit appeared to mature, dwarf pods 

 being formed and decomposing in a short time. The ravages w^ere observed 

 as far westward as Odumase near Kumasi ; but probably the worst damage 

 was that done to the plantations in the vicinity of Bompata, where a large 

 percentage of the trees were dying. 



The accompanying drawings (PI. YIII, figs. 4, 5 & 6) show the appearance 

 of the insect in the larval and perfect forms. In the immature or larval form 

 the insect appears to frequent the thick branches especially, and by puncturing 

 the bark with its powerful proboscis saps the juices from the inner bark, 

 w^hich dies in large patches beneath each puncture. The mature bug, which 

 possesses wings and is extremely active and difficult to capture, is more often 

 seen on the thin green twigs, which it punctures in a similar manner. 



Spraying with Bordeaux mixture, a preparation of sulphate of copper and 

 lime, is being attempted, and may prove efficacious in destroying the larval 

 forms; but a kerosine emulsion would probably prove of greater advantage,, 

 and can be applied inexpensively b}^ means of a spraying machine or even a 

 garden syringe. The emulsion can be made as follows : — Six or eight pounds 

 of best soft soap are dissolved in boiling water, and while still hot, after 

 removal from the fire, a gallon of kerosine is stirred in and thoroughly mixed 

 by means of the syringe, with the aid of which it can be churned until the 

 oil is diffused throughout the whole. This can be mixed with one hundred 

 gallons of water and sprayed over the trunk and branches. The presence of 

 soap in this, prevents the oil from separating and rising to the surface.. 

 Arsenical sprays are of no, use in combating insects such as these, feeding as 

 they do by puncturing the bark. The kerosine which forms the essential 

 component of this mixture destroys by contact, and does not require to be 

 consumed by the insect in order to kill it. 



