AND PROBLEMS OF SOUTHERN NIGERIA. 219 



Facts about the extent of damage done by these insects are badly needed. All 

 that can be said at present is that they make extensive inroads into whatever 

 crop they attack. 



Opportunity for the study of the pest has been so small that it would be 

 premature to make detailed suggestions as to methods of control, but information 

 has been obtained that Paris green dusted on the plants proved a successful 

 measure. Spraying with a stomach poison, however, r is likely to prove more 

 useful. 

 Lagria villosa, F., and L. virzdipennis, F. 



These bettles are common all over the Colony, all the year round. They have 

 been found in numbers upon the leaves of yam, cowpea and even on cotton. 

 Their economic importance is worth attention in future work. 



Conclusion. 



An economic entomologist has two aspects of his work to keep in view, the 

 research and the instructional. The experiences of a single tour indicate that 

 the most necessary entomological work at present is research. 



The particular problems most likely to repay attention are, the control of the 

 pests of cocoa and kola and the question as to the economic significance of term- 

 ites. Cocoa, as the crop second in export value and with great possibilities, natur- 

 ally comes first ; for fortunately, the most valuable agricultural asset of the 

 Colony, the oil palm, is strikingly free from pests. Kola to the amount of 

 £68,245 is imported into the Colony, which is quite capable of growing its own. 

 Yam and maize, because they are two staple native food crops, are next in 

 importance. 



It is likely, by now, that a scheme has matured whereby native school teachers 

 may be given a course in " School Farming " at the Agricultural Station, Ibadan. 

 This course will include lessons on the importance of insects to agriculture. In 

 this way the native boys in the schools will be reached and shown the value of 

 modern methods of agriculture. 



At present, because of the conditions of native farming and our deficient 

 entomological knowledge of the Colony, it is of no use to lecture to native farmers 

 and agricultural societies. Entomological instruction cannot be given, nor the 

 confidence of natives gained, till a great deal more pioneer research has been 

 accomplished, so that entomological control methods can be demonstrated to 

 be of economic value. And this work cannot be prosecuted unless the entomo- 

 logist is provided with a laboratory and adequate apparatus and allowed to work 

 freely and unhampered. 



The ready help of the following gentlemen in the preparation of this report is 

 acknowledged with thanks : — The specialists of the Natural History Branch of 

 the British Museum ; Mr. F. V. Theobald, South Eastern Agricultural College, 

 Wye, Kent ; and Mr. E. S. Bagnall, Hope Department of Zoology, University 

 of Oxford. Particularly is mentioned the assistance of Mr. Guy Marshall, 

 Director, Imperial Bureau of Entomology, British Museum. 



