The Tea insects oj India. 39 



The insect itself is a tiny blackish creature, the body of the winged 

 form being only about one twenty-fifth of an inch in length. 



Like other Aphidse, Ceylonia tJiececola feeds by sucking up the juices 

 of the plant through its slender proboscis. Its effect on the young 

 leaves it attacks is said to be to cause the edges to curl up and become 

 distorted. 



The life-history of the insect has not as yet been completely traced, 

 but Mr. Green has observed that both the winged and wingless forms 

 reproduce themselves parthenogenetieally, the young settling down be- 

 side the mother and becoming full grown in about ten days after they 

 are born. As in the case of numerous other species of Aphidse, ants are 

 attracted by the honey-dew secreted by the glands connected with the 

 two large tubercles, shown in the figure of the winged form, on either 

 side of the abdomen, and are to be found in constant attendance. 



Mr. Green notes that in Ceylon the Aphid is not only liable to be 

 devoured by the larvae of Syrphidse, Hemerobidse, and Coccinellidse, but 

 is parasitized by a minute hymenopterous insect, the combined effect of 

 these enemies being so considerable that it is often completely kept in 

 check by them. 



As the result of his experiments Mr. Green considers that wood 

 ashes, powdered sulphur, and dry carbolic powder are alike useless as 

 applications for destroying the pest. On the other hand, washes, either of 

 dilute kerosine emulsion or o£ phenyle, are effective. The proportions he 

 recommends are one part of kerosine emulsion to eighty parts of water, 

 or one part of phenyle to two hundred and forty of water ; the wash to 

 be applied in the evening or on a cloudy day, as hot sunshine, following 

 its application, is apt to scorch the leaves ; in the case of phenyle the 

 application of the wash to be followed the next morning by a copious 

 drenching with ordinary water. 



CocciDiE. 



Ohionaspis theae, Maskell--( = r/^^ tea dar^ louse, Greeu). This 

 insect was first observed in Ceylon by Green, who found that it was very 

 generally prevalent upon tea, where it accounts for many " hide-bound ■" 

 and unproductive bushes. It has since been sent to the Museum from 

 tea both in the Kangra Valley and also in Cachar. In the Kangra Valley 

 kerosine and soap emulsion ,is gaid to have been tried upon it with 

 success, though the insect does not appear to have as yet caused very 

 much damage. 



The female is a little rounded flattened scale about a tenth of an 

 inch across. It is to be found upon the branches of the older bushes, 

 and is so much like the bark on which it rests as to be unnoticeable 

 except on very close inspection. In its earlier stages, the male is a tinv 



