No. 1.] Economic Entomology in Ceylon. 87 



that coolies were employed in the alley ways between the piled up 

 bales, in sweeping up the debris from the bales, this debris consist- 

 ing chiefly of commuted wool and living grubs and pupae, empty 

 pupal cases and dead beetles. 



"I was informed that the pest not only attacked the wool in the 

 sheds, but also woollen articles of clothing, etc., in the houses of the 

 employees. These houses were situated just across the road and 

 within a few yards from the back of the wool sheds. The beetles 

 flying about in the houses in large numbers in themselves constituted 

 a pest. 



" It is to be feared that the pest has obtained too great a hold on 

 the wool sheds to be eradicated by any ordinary means. Judging 

 from the way the bales are packed and stored, and owing to the open 

 nature of the wool sheds, I am afraid that the only remedy that could 

 be used would be by the use of carbon bisulphide gas. 



I suggested the use of a large chest, sufficiently large to contain 

 several bales, in which the wool could be fumigated, this work being 

 carried on as rapidly as possible. That the work should be under- 

 taken in the cold weather for two reasons : First, owing to the 

 inflammability of C S 2, and also because the beetle being then least 

 in evidence there would be a smaller chance of reinfection during 

 the time that fumigation was undertaken. I also recommended lime 

 washing the sheds." 



A Ceylon Pest. 

 Caprinia conchylalis, Green. 



Orderj Lepidoptera Heterocera. Family, Pp-alidcs. 



(Plate IV. figs. 11, i\a, lib.) 



Moth. — Pure white ; head black-brown, the palpi with a metallic 

 tinge. Anal tuft of male black. Forewing has a broad brown 

 band along its upper margin. Margins of all wings silvery-white, 

 Expanse of wings if to if inches. 



This insect is common in India. 



Plate IV. figs. 11, i\a, lib show the moth, larva, and pupa, of this 

 pest. 



Specimens of this insect were received from Mr. Green from 

 Ceylon with the following note : — - 



The larva of this moth attacks the young foliage of the Kickxia 

 trees at the time they put out new leaves (twice a year) and seri- 

 ously checks the growth. On our plants every single branchlet is 

 occupied by one or more of the caterpillars. Like most Pyralidc-e 

 they spin together the leaves and feed under that shelter — a habit 



