210 A. D. PEACOCK — ENTOMOLOGICAL PESTS 



Snails and Slugs. 



From Sapele (Central Province) it has been reported that the leaves of young 

 cocoa suffer very much from the attacks of snails and slugs. Limicolaria 

 fjlammca, the only snail found there during an entomological tour, was never 

 observed doing any damage ; no slugs were obtained. The matter needs more 

 investigation. 



Beneficial Insects. 



Ichneumonidae : A specimen of Metopius discolor, Tosq., was bred from a 

 caterpillar of Prodcnia litura, F. 



Tachinidae : A fly of the genus Sisyropa was bred from a caterpillar of 

 Diacrisia maculosa, Stoll. 



Carabidae : Beetles of this family, Oodcs obesus, Murray, Platynus planati- 

 collis, Murray, and Chlaenius westermanni, Laf., were found in the soil at 

 the base of cocoa plants in the Nursery at Ibadan. They probably will prove 

 to be useful in destroying injurious insects. 



In addition to the foregoing, certain insects of doubtful significance were 

 found associated with cocoa. 



Elateridae : A species of Alans was bred from a larva found in cocoa 

 nursery beds at Ibadan, in July 1912. 



Rutelidae : Anomala denuda, Arrow, found in soil near young cocoa at 

 Agege, July 1912. 



Melolonthidae : Apogonia, nitidula, Thorns., found with the Anomala at 

 Agege ; and several species of Trochalus occurred in similar situations at 

 Ibadan. 



Termites are said to attack the roots of healthy cocoa trees, but no precise 

 information is available, and it is of considerable importance that the matter 

 should be investigated. 



General Conclusions ivith regard to Cocoa Pests. 



Cocoa is a most important asset to the Colony, ranking second in export value, 

 and everything should be done to foster, encourage and improve its culture. 



The entomological aspect of this matter cannot be stated without first discus- 

 sing the present condition in Southern Nigeria of agriculture in general. The 

 problems relating to cocoa are taken as typical, but the factors treated in the 

 following remarks operate throughout every phase of agriculture. 



In the first place, agriculture, as a calling, is unpopular. A native boy who 

 has been to school aspires to be a trader or a clerk, preferably a Government 

 clerk. He has the wit to know that a clerk has a better time than a farmer. 

 To be a farmer in the opinion of a clerk, is to be a " bushman." Beyond a few 

 pupils from the Agricultural Department there are practically no natives with 

 any knowledge of European methods. 



While recognising that the administrative work of a Colony must be carried 

 on and that competent teachers must be trained, it is a mistake that these 

 branches should absorb all educated natives. The most useful man in the 



