243 



Report of the Government Entomologist, F.WI.S., for the 



Year 1910. 



During the past 3'ear the staff of the Entomological division has 

 been increased by the appointment of Mr. C. B. Holman-Hunt, B.A., 

 as Assistant Entomologist. 



The collections of the department have been greatly increased, 

 about 15,000 specimens having been obtained during the year. These 

 are now being classified as far as possible. 



The Entomological division has suffered for several years through 

 a lack of reference collections, and through there being no cabinets 

 wherein to keep the collections. This latter deficiency has now been 

 remedied, and as much has been done to obtain as good a reference 

 collection as the time has permitted. 



For several months during the past year it was necessary to 

 spend a greater time in the departmental offices than w^as advisable: 

 this was due to a considerable decrease in the staff about the middle 

 of the year. 



Before the retirement of the late Director of Agriculture some 

 five or six tours were made in his company over many of the estates 

 in the Federated Malay States, my object being to detect pests 

 which might be present. 



In regard to these the worst noted was Ternics gcstroi, the most 

 prevalent pest in these States. It is. however, kept well under con- 

 trol by the managers of estates. 



There are a number of minor pests of which only one need 

 be mentioned here ; this is a species of Xijlohonis (a small boring 

 beetle). It has made its appearance on many of the estates in 

 Malaya. 



So far as my experience goes trees are not usually attacked if in 

 a healthy condition. An entrance may be afforded for this insect 

 either by bad tapping or by bark diseases. Occasionally they attack 

 healthy trees, attempting to reach the wood through sound bark. 

 A few are successful. The latex is a great protection against the 

 attacks of this beetle, and nearly all are caught before an entrance 

 is effected. 



Pollarded trees are frequently attacked, more often when care 

 is not taken in the cutting and tarring. They form, also, a source of 

 contamination for other trees. 



With careful supervision and complete destruction of affected 

 trees this insect does not spread. 



The small number of the trees affected does not justify the 

 introduction of any expensive remedial measures. The loss of a few 

 trees when they are attacked counts but little if by their destruction 

 the surrounding -trees are saved. 



