JUN 12 1903 



PREFACE TO VOLUME IV. 



THIS volume of Indian Museum Notes on Economic Entomology 

 has been compiled by the late Mr. Edward Barlow, under the 

 immediate supervision of the Superintendent of the Museum. 



Among other original matter, it contains several systematic 

 papers, and a large series of miscellaneous notes in which numerous 

 insect-pests of this country are described, and their habits and the 

 nature of their ravages indicated ; several reports on the results of 

 some of the remedial experiments that have been tried on insects 

 hurtful to Indian agriculture ; and eighteen photo-etched plates in 

 which a large number of insects of economic interest are figured. 



The illustrated systematic papers include four by Mr. G. B. 

 Buckton, F.R.S., on Homoptera^c\\\t^y ox\. Aphidx; an important 

 one on Coccidse by Mr. E, E. Green, who is now Government 

 Entomologist for Ceylon ; two on certain destructive Uomoptera, by 

 the late Mr. W. M. Maskell; one on some noxious Tineid Moths, by 

 Lord Walsingham, F.R.S.; two, by Messrs. Kerremans and Desbro- 

 ches des Loges, on some destructive Beetles; one, by Herr E. 

 Brenske, in which a number of new Indian species of the plant- 

 damaging Cockchafer family are described ; and, finally, a paper by 

 Mr. D. W. Coquillet, on a parasitic species of Tachinid fly which is 

 likely to prove useful to planters by destroying certain caterpillars 

 that ravage tea-bushes. Almost a:ll these papers are based on mate- 

 rial furnished by the Museum, and to the gentlemen — all of whom 

 are high authorities in their special subjects — who have contributed 

 them, the best thanks of all who are concerned for the welfare of 

 Indian Entomology in its economic aspects are due. 



The Miscellaneous Notes on Inspect Pests are in this volume for 

 the first time systematically arranged under headings relating to the 

 several industries affected. They include, in regular order, accounts 

 of insects affecting Tea, the various Crops and Cereals, Fruit-trees, 

 Timber -trees, and Domestic Animals. A paper on insects which are 

 beneficial to agriculture by devouring insect-pests is also included 

 in this series, more in the hope of drawing attention to the important 

 subject of Natural Remedies than with the intention of handling the 

 matter critically. 



It is with great regret tha.t the editor has here to place on record 

 the death of Mr. Edward Barlow, which occurred shortly after the 

 ^ih fasciculus of this volume had been sent to press. 



^ A. ALCOCK, Major, I. M.S., 



Calcutta ; I o • , r . 



f c:>uperiniendent, 



The 6th June, igoo. ) Indian Museum, 



