No. 2. ] Notes on insect pests from the Entomological Section. 53 



2. In September 1899, the Reporter on Economic Products to 

 the Government of India, forwarded a series of the larva, pupa and 

 imago, of a moth, the larvae of which were said to be defoliating 

 sal trees in Jalpaiguri. On examination the moth proved to be 

 Lymantria grandis, Wlk. It has been frequently reported before 

 as defoliating sal in India. 



3. In January 1899, we received from Mr. J. C. MacDonald' 

 through the Superintendent, Madras Central Museum, some coccids 

 which were reported to be attacking the roots of Erythrina, six 

 months old. Mr. MacDonald writes : — 



" These insects attack the roots olErythrina plants six months old, and have 

 in fact wiped out wholesale a field of fifty acres, which is shaded by the above tree. 

 The damage began to be apparent about the burst of the N. E. monsoon in 

 November or so. The soil is quite a dry light and very friable one. This is the 

 first that I have seen of this sort of damage after an experience of over 18 years 

 of planting." 



The specimens were forwarded to Mr. R. S. Newstead for 

 identification, and his report has not yet been received. 



4. In March 1900, some beetles were forwarded by Mr. G. M. 

 Ryan, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Western Circle, from Thana 

 district, Bombay, which he found burrowing into Khair {Acacia 

 Catechu) trees. This beetle (Sinoxylon sp.) has been frequently 

 mentioned in Indian Museum Notes as attacking Sal (Skorea ro- 

 bust a), Terminalia belerica, the guava (Psidium guava) and other 

 trees in different parts of India. 



5. In February 1899, Mr. G. M. Ryan, Deputy Conservator of 

 Forests, Western Circle, forwarded some leaves of Diospyros mela- 

 noxylon which were covered with galls. The leaves were forwarded 

 to Mr. G. B. Buckton, who discovered a Psylla within the galls, 

 which on examination proved to be new to science. He has de- 

 scribed it as Psylla obsoleta. His description will be found on page 

 35 and the insect and gall are figured on plate V (figs. 10 — 15)- 



6. In July 1899, the Manager, Court of Ward's Estates, Backer- 

 gunge, forwarded, through the Director, Department of Land 

 Records and Agriculture, Bengal, some betel leaves covered with 

 insects. These on inspection proved to be Aleurodids, and being 

 new to our collection were forwarded to Mr. G. B. Buckton 

 for examination. The insect proving to be unknown to science, 

 Mr. Buckton has described it under the name of Aleurodes nubilans. 

 His description will be found on page 36 and the insect itself is 

 figured on plate V {figs. 7 — 9). 



