245 



My observations are not complete in either the one species 

 attacking Palaquium, {Rhodoneura myrtoea var: fenestrata) or the 

 two (a Tortricid and a Tineid) which confine their depredations 

 to Afzelia. 



Many interesting and important points connected with the life 

 history of these insect pests require yet to be investigated. Their 

 natural enemies parasitic or otherwise have not been studied owing 

 to the lack of time at my disposal for this work. Before the elucida- 

 tion of these essential points, any remedial measure should be 

 considered as tentative, although the cure suggested may finally 

 prove to be the soundest and the cheapest. 



The majority of planted Gutta Percha trees are between 2-4 years 

 old, these being the ones that are chiefly suffering; the older ones 

 however do not by any means remain untouched. 



With regard to the parasites, I have observed several species of 

 Ichneum nidx hovering round the leaf houses constructed by 

 Rhodoneura myrtoea var: fenestrata, and it is highly probable that 

 the eggs are parasitised to some extent by other Parasitic Hymenop- 



The sudden increase of these pests is in all probability due to the 

 cutting away of the undergrowth, thus interfering with their food 

 plants, and by supplying other trees which it seems evident are 

 better suited as a food for these pests, and favourable to their 

 multiplication. 



GUTTA PERCHA PEST. 



Description. 



!n the '"slands Plantentiun LXIV door, Dr, J. C. Koningsberger" 

 a few species attacking Palaquium are dealt with, and among these 

 •s the species with which we are chiefly concerned here viz: Rhodo- 

 **" myrtoea var: fenestrata. On plate 3 Fig. 24, he figures this 

 '"sect, and on plate 5 Fig. 2 a sketch of a rolled leaf is given. 



Though the eggs of this insect have not been found I am of 

 J>P'mon that comparatively old leaves are chosen for opposition the 



arv* on hatching making their way to the various shoots of the 

 Wu , man y occasions I have obtained young larvae that have 

 ^fched but a few hours previously, and have found on examining 



" e ot ler shoots of the tree that they also have become tenanted > It 

 may therefore be safely said that almost immediately after hatching 

 oner r dls P erse > and an abode having been selected, mining 



Tr. s _ areatoncebe g-- 



shan't hud ' this condition being due to the number of yo 

 mav h g insuffic 'ent to accommodate separately the larvae 1 

 y ave hatched from the eggs laid on the tree. 



