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Coconut Diseases. 



A Zygaenid moth is commencing to give considerable 

 trouble to some of the coconut plantations in the Federated 

 Malay States and Straits. A report of its life history, 

 damage, and remedies is ready for publication. I would 

 advise the managers of coconut plantations to acquaint 

 themselves with this pest, and as soon as they observe it 

 on their plantations to take stringent methods to prevent 

 spreading. Otherwise they will find that in the course of 

 eight months from the date of its appearance it will have 

 spread over the entire estate. After it has run its course 

 the trees present an appearance resembling that which 

 would be caused by a fire, and the nuts frequently drop. 



Erionofa thrax (a banana pest) is a sporadic pest of 

 the coconut trees in the Federated Malay States. Its work- 

 is totally different from the above insect. The Zygaenid 

 moth mines the leaves, whereas Erionota thrax devours the 

 whole of the leaf in a regular manner from the mid-rib, thus 

 skeletonizing the trees. It is advisable to mention here 

 that some steps should be taken to rid the native coconut 

 plantation from the scale insects with which they are often 

 so badly infested. It cannot be expected that good fruit 

 can be obtained from trees seriously attacked by Cocci fire, 

 and this matter should be explained and demonstrated to 

 the natives. 



Tapioca Pests. 



Bracltytrypes achatimis has been reported as attacking 

 rubber and tapioca, the latter crop seriously. A note has 

 been sent to the "Agricultural Bulletin" and a remedy has 

 been given there — viz., Carbon bisulphide. Even though 

 costly, the small amount used for the purpose of ridding a 

 field from these crickets places the method well within the 

 reach of even natives. 



Coffee Pests. 



A species of Apogonia has been found attacking coffee 

 and durian leaves. The insect responsible for this damage 

 is identical with the one found on roses in this country. It 

 has the same habit as S erica assamensis on tea. On coffee 

 it mines the under-side of the older leaves and young shoots, 

 causing the former to wither and the latter to continually 

 die back. A knowledge of where the insect is found will 

 prevent this damage. Owing to its habit of hiding itself 

 during the day-time and feeding at night its presence in the 



