DISEASES AND PESTS 95' 



a tree is badly infested, these spots almost cover the 

 leaves. The leaves then curl up, and so furnish the 

 caterpillars a place for pupation. 



Brachartona has recently made itself seriously felt 

 in the Federated Malay States. It goes through four 

 generations in eight months, by which time it multiplies 

 enough to become locally epidemic. Then it disappears, 

 having become abundant enough to let its own enemies 

 multiply in excess. When the Brachartona is almost 

 exterminated, its parasites die off, and after perhaps 

 two years the Brachartona reappears as a pest. If it 

 can be detected as it reappears it can probably be con- 

 trolled by spraying with kerosene emulsion ; but this will 

 demand careful watching, as its work is not conspicuous 

 until it has multiplied greatly. 



The other pest reported by Koningsberger is Hidari 

 irawa. The caterpillars of this butterfly are reported 

 as very numerous at Sawah Loenta, on the west coast 

 of Sumatra, feeding upon the leaves of the coco-nut. 



From the Philippines likewise two of these insects 

 have been described by Banks. One of these is a 

 skipper butterfly, Padraona chrysozona, Plotz. Quoting 

 Banks, Philippine Journal of Science, 1906 : 



During the months of September and October many of the 

 leaflets of small coco-nut trees of from 6 to 15 feet in height 

 are partially destroyed. Certain of these leaflets have their outer 

 edges sewn together by means of a pure white silk which is 

 decidedly elastic, so that the leaf may be pulled slightly apart 

 without tearing the fastening. Inside these folds the light 

 yellowish-green caterpillar, having a chitinous head, somewhat 

 darker than the body and boldly marked with a very regular 

 pattern, is encountered. 



Toward the latter part of October the semi-active pupae are 

 found in these " cradles," partially covered and surrounded by 

 a snow-white flocculent substance, which has a wax-like feel. 



The adult insect is 15 to 16 mm. in length, a bright 

 yellow ochre in colour, with dark -brown markings. 

 The eggs are deposited, usually singly, on the under 

 surface of the leaf ; they hatch after seven or eight 



