136 F. C. WILLCOCKS — A MEALY J&UG 



in bright sunshine, in the cool of the evening, or in the early morning. A 

 6 per cent, paraffin emulsion appears to give fair results against the larvae, 

 and a 12 per cent, strength has a considerable effect on the females and their 

 ovisacs. However, time and other work did not permit of any careful and 

 complete series of experiments being carried out during the summer of 1909 

 with paraffin emulsion, so it is therefore impossible to make any conclusive 

 statements concerning the efficacy of this spray as a remedy for the lebbek 

 mealy bug. A strong emulsion could very well be used in the early part of 

 the year (end of February or March) at the time when the trees drop their 

 leaves, for there would then be no risk of burning the foliage or young growth 

 and a smaller quantity of the wash would be required. Moreover, the pest 

 probably commences to become more active at this time. 



It was suggested that for painting the trunks and branches of infested trees 

 and also for young trees, an emulsion of paraffin and soap was to be preferred 

 to an ordinary mixture of the two then in use. The addition of lime is 

 certainly desirable since it acts as an indicator, enabling one to observe 

 readily the thoroughness with which the painting is being carried out. 

 Native gardeners are not always so conscientious over work of this nature as 

 is desirable, unless they know that their shortcomings will be detected 

 easily .^ 



A whale oil soap spray might well be tried against the larval stages of 

 this insect. 



In the case of trees which have been cut back, attention should be given to 

 tarring or otherwise protecting the exposed surfaces. Failing such pre- 

 cautions, it is most probable that the trees will be invaded by the lebbek 

 beetle or " borer " {^Xt/strocera glohosa, Oliv.). The females of this species 

 appear to be particularly attracted to wounds or cut surfaces, in which they 

 lay their eggs. 



Since at the time of the mealy bug attack in Cairo, there were no suitable 

 spray pumps available for the application of insecticides to such tall trees as 

 the lebbek, the use of the city fire engines was suggested. There can be 

 little doubt that a great deal of benefit would have resulted if infested trees 

 could have been thoroughly washed with a really powerful stream of plain 

 water, such as is delivered by a steam fire engine. Not only numbers of 

 larvse, but also females and their ovisacs, could have been washed off and 

 destroyed by a streaui of water delivered at high pressure. It is probable 

 that the crowns of many trees might have been saved in this manner. 

 Unfortunately, howeyer, it was considered by the authorities — who were, no 

 doubt, quite correct in their conclusions — to be impracticable ; since it was 

 thought highly probable that considerable damage might result to glass 

 windows and other property, if this method of dealing with the mealy bug- 

 were given a trial ; and owing to the Capitulations, nuuierous actions would 



