348 E. BALLARD — A LIST OF THE MOKE IMPORTANT INSECT 



Gryllidae. 



Brachytrypes membranaceus, F., is sometimes troublesome in cotton fields 

 from its habit of eating the roots of cotton plants. It is fairly common, but not 

 a serious pest at present. 



Lepidoptera. 



Lepidopterous larvae are the most destructive pests in the country, the three 

 boll-worms being annually responsible for a tremendous amount of damage, and 

 the Noctuidae easily take first place, causing a greater loss to crops than any 

 other family. 



Noctuidae. 



Diparopsis castanea, Hmp., (The Red Boll-worm) is a major pest of great 

 importance and occurs all over the Protectorate. 



Chloridea obsoleta, F., occurs every where in company with Diparopsis castanea, 

 and besides destroying the bolls and flowers of cotton, attacks maize, tobacco 

 seed-pods, and chick-peas. 



Earias insidana, Boisd., occurs as a pest on cotton, but does not appear to be 

 quite so serious as either of the foregoing, owing perhaps to the fact that it is 

 heavily parasitised by an ichneumon. It has also been found on garden Hibiscus. 

 It is generally distributed all over the Protectorate. 



Euxoa segetum, Schiff., comes next in order of importance, and is an annually 

 occurring pest which is responsible for much loss in the tobacco fields, during 

 January and February, by cutting the stems of the plants. 



Prodenia litura, F., is chiefly a pest in tobacco nurseries, but occurs also on 

 cotton and maize and was once found feeding on tea. It is a fairly serious pest 

 to young tobacco. 



There is a number of Noctuid larvae which are all more or less harmful to cotton, 

 by eating the leaves during the first stages of its growth until the appearance 

 of the flowers. Their attacks last from December to the middle of March in 

 the Shire Highlands. The species include Plusia orichalcea, F., Cosmophila erosa, 

 Hb., Gonitis sabulifora, Guen., Plusia chalcitcs^ and Acontia, graellsii, Feisth. 

 Busseola fusca, Hmp., is one of the worst pests in Protectorate, causing a great 

 annual loss in the native gardens by boring in the stems of maize and millet. 



Pteronycta fasciata, Hmp. (gen. et sp. nov.) is at present very uncommon, but 

 should it increase in numbers it would be capable of doing a great deal of damage. 

 The larva when about to pupate eats half-way through the stem of a cotton 

 plant and forms its cocoon in the place thus excavated. A very slight wind 

 causes the cotton stems to break at the weakened part and the plant perishes. 



Limacodidae. 



Parasa, vivida, Walk., is an occasional pest on coffee leaves and is very 

 destructive when it does make its appearance. 



Lymantriidae. 



Hetcronygmia lencoyyna, Hmp., is a very serious and regular pest on mahogany 

 {Khaya senegalensis). During the present year the mahogany plantations near 

 Zomba were almost entirely defoliated bv it. 



