350 E. BALLARD — A LIST OF THE MORE IMPORTANT INSECT 



Dermestidae. 



Dermestes vulpinus, F.. is a common household pest. 



Meloidae, 



Mylabris tricolor, Gerst., M. (tmplectams, Gerst., M. dicincita, Bert., Decaioma 

 catenata, Gerst., are all destructive flower-eaters, occurring on cotton. Ceroctis 

 trifiirca, Gerst., eats the flowers of soya and velvet beans. 



Curculionidae. 



Apion armipes, Wagn. The larva bores in the stems of cotton plants, causing' 

 them to swell at the point of irritation and frequently to break at the first high 

 wind. This is an insect with considerable powers of destruction, and apparently 

 common all over the Shire Highlands. Calandra oryzae, L., is very destructive 

 to stored maize and rice. A species of Isaniris is a general, but not very 

 destructive, pest on cotton, the adult form eating the leaves. 



Coccinellidae. 



Epilachna <lre<jei, Muls., E. hirta, Thunb., and E. paykulli, Muls., arc all 

 major pests in vegetable gardens. Chilomones lunata, F., preys on the cotton 

 aphis, and is an extremely useful insect. 



Cassididae. 



Cassida gibhipennis is a minor pest on leguminous plants. 



Nitidulidae. 



Epuraea sp. has been found eating the stamens of cotton flowers ; a minor pest. 



Ptinidae. 



Lasioderma serricorne, F., bores in cigars and cigarettes. 



Hymenoptera. 

 Tenthredinidae. 



Athalia sp. A major pest on turnips and cabbages ; a very destructive species. 



RlIYNCHOTA. 



Aphididae. 



There appear to be four species of Aphididae which may be accounted 

 pests of some importance. 



Aphis gossypii, Glover, is very troublesome on cotton in certain seasons, 

 especially those marked by excessive rainfall. There are two other species which 

 are very destructive to cabbages and beans respectively. The former (Aphis 

 hrassieac, L.) is covered with a waxy secretion which adds to the difficulty of its 

 extermination by means of contact poisons. The Bean Aphis is a dark green 

 species with the legs banded with white. The fourth species, CeratapJiis lataniae, 

 Ncwst., was found on Raphia vinifera in the Botanical Gardens at Zomba. 



