74 Indian Insect Pests, [Vol. I. 



covering an area of about 13 square miles, of which about 1 square mile has been 

 affected by a species of insect locally called Nali poka, which has been eating up the 

 leaves of young rice plants. These insects are now in their caterpillar stage. 



" The Sudder Police Inspector reports that these insects would have eaten up the 

 leaves of the plant in the course of a fortnight had there been no rain for some 

 time. But as heavy and continuous rain has lately fallen in that part of the district, 

 there is no longer any cause for apprehending further damage by these insects. The 

 cultivators say that excessive rainfall in the latter half of the month of Joisto (May)» 

 followed by drought or slight rain in Asar (June) is the cause of their origin. It is 

 supposed that the rains of Joisto (May), decomposed all dead vegetable matters 

 from which the insects take their birth, at first in the shape of eggs, but if there are 

 heavy showers of rain so as to wash away all putrid substances, the eggs are destroy- 

 ed and caterpillars, such as are sent, appear. They do not form cocoons." 



Extract from a, report, dated 26th October, from the Commissioner of 

 ChotaNagpore report. Cbota Nag-pore (Mr. C. G. Stevens) : — 



" 1. Caterpillar. — This is the only insect pest, which so far as the Singbhoom author- 

 ities have been yet able to ascertain, which infests agriculture in that district. It is 

 described by them as ' small, hairy black or dark colored,' and locally known by the 

 name of ' Lehobari.' It attacks the young dhan plants in seasons in which there is 

 insufficient rainfall and when in consequence much heat and dryness prevail ; it cannot 

 stand exposure to water, and eats up the tender leaves of the dhan seedlings only down 

 to the level of the water. The Manager of the Dhulbhoom Estate says that the cater- 

 pillar undergoes a series of metamorphoses similar to the tussar or silkworms. It wraps 

 itself gradually up on the leaf it preys upon, and is there changed into a chrysalid or 

 cocoon of a shining black color. 



"2. Caterpillars are also known to the Loharduggah and Giridih ryots. The 

 Manager of the Chota Nagpore Raj classifies them into three varieties, and the 

 Sub-Divisional Officer of Giridih speaks of two. Those mentioned by the former are 

 the following : — 



" (a) That of a black color found in Burwa^ known by the name of Nandana Set- 

 lava. It chiefly prevails during the rains, though sometimes in the cold 

 season also. It feeds on all crops and grasses, and is said to be poisonous 

 in its bite, and if trodden on causes sores on the feet. It is of the size 

 of the Bhowa insect. The Manager promises to send samples, if desirable. 



"(6) That of a yellow color, known as ^ JBoosa' caterpillar. It is much the 

 same as variety (a) : it attacks ' murtva,' ' borai,' and cotton plants ; it 

 does not cause sores on the feet. There is no remedy known for it. 



"(c) That of a green color, about one inch long, and called ' Sarka' caterpillar. 

 ' Mustard ' sorsa and lotui crops are specially affected by it. 



" The varieties mentioned by the Giridih authorities are — 



" {a) The LoorJca pillu which gets below the soil and attacks the young paddy 

 and makai plants, severing them just at the junction between stem and 

 root; sometimes attacking grain plants also, and is otherwise known by 

 the name of ' Chirva.* 



" (6) Another, of which the local name is not given, eats away the pistil of the 

 female flowers of the makai before the virules are fertilized, and the seed 

 stalks grow up without a single grain. 

 •' 6. The names of the other insect pests, with their habits and remedies, if any, for 

 their eradication, are shown below, the information being supplied by the Sub- Divi- 

 sional Officer of Giridih. 



