September, 1912.] 



195 



REPORT ON DISEASE OF PADDY PLANTS 

 AT AGALA WATTE. 



I visited the infected fields on the morning of the 9th instant, and 

 was shown round by Mr. F. D. Samarasingha, Mudliyar of Pasdum Korale 

 East. 



At the time of my visit, the insects had disappeared, but the areas 

 that had been affected were rendered conspicuous by their brown colour, 

 all the plants being dead and withered. I was unable to obtain a single 

 living specimen of the insect, either on the dead plants or on the adjoin- 

 ing living plants. 



By interrogating the Mudliyar and the local rice cultivators, 1 learned 

 that the disease was first noticed about the beginning of July, when 

 the stalks of the plants began to show a reddish tint. By the middle 

 of that month, the stems were seen to be covered with insects — in 

 various stages of development. This condition continued for about three 

 weeks, by which time the plants were dead and the insects had dis- 

 appeared. 



No such pest had been observed in the locality before. There had 

 been promise of a record crop, until this pest appeared. Many fields, and 

 large patches in others, have been completely ruined. 



The crop in one village (Kudaligama) is said to have been wiped out. 

 The plants died before ripening the grain. It was noticeable that 

 where patches only were attacked, these were strictly confined within the 

 boundaries of their respective bunds, adjoining plots being entirely 

 unaffected. 



I am told that 3-months paddy suffered less severely than 5-months 

 paddy, This may probably be accounted for by the maturing of the more 

 rapidly growing plants before there had been time for the development 

 of a second brood of the insects. The first brood would naturally be 

 much smaller and less serious. 



Recommendations. 



Although no eggs were actually found, from the structure of the 

 insect, which is provided with a strongly developed ovipositor, it is 

 practically ..certain that the eggs would be embedded in slits in the stems 

 or in the bases of the leaves. 



The Pest having disappeared, for the time being, and the damage 

 being complete, no remedial measures are now practicable. I have re? 

 commended that the stubble and dead plants on the affected plots should 

 be burnt in situ, with a view to the destruction of any eggs that may 

 be remaining in the stalks. 



In subsequent crops, a careful watch should be kept for the earliest 

 indications of a recurrence of the pest. It may be possible to destroy the 

 first brood which will probably be confined to single plants or small 

 areas, Such isolated patches might be destroyed by scorching them 



