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bushel. An examination of many samples and a personal investigation of granaries showed that several different 
insects were concerned in the injury. The common rice weevil {Calandra orijzw) was largely represented ; but the 
greatest damage was caused by the enormous numbers of another small beetle which proves to be the almost 
cosmopolitan species lihizoperiha pusilla, Fab., a well-known grain pest. The following beetles were also present in 
smaller numbers : — TriboUum castaneum, Herbrt., Lophocatcris (/m«i, AUibert, Alphitobius piceus, Oliv., and Tembroides 
iiiauritanicaa. Besides the beetles, large numbers of a minute Tineid moth were present in all the granaries. It is 
probable that this insect is responsible for a large portion of the damage. Grains of paddy containing the larvae and 
pupae of the moth were observed, and from samples of damaged paddy that have been kept under observation for 
the last six months relays of the moth have continued to emerge, proving that they are breeding freely in the grain. 
The cause of this sudden increase of injurious insects in the stored grain has not been definitely determined. 
It is well known that heating or fermentation, from insufficient drying, is a productive source of " weevil." 
Observations on the habits of the insects in confinement seemed to prove that they are unable to penetrate the husk 
of sound well-dried paddy, though defective grains were quickly attacked. Reports from the various districts on the 
circumstances prevailing at the time of harvest were rather conflicting. la several instances it was admitted that 
the grain had not been well dried, owing to heavy ^i-ain at harvest time. In obher cases no such adverse circumstance 
occurred, and the grain was said to have been treated in the same way as in previous seasons. Happily the preven- 
tion and cure of the disease is comparatively simple, and was successfully put into practice. It consists in the 
inclusion of a certain amount of naphthalene powder with the grain in the granary ; this substance keeps away insects 
from the grain and drives out those already in it. Six ounces are sufficient for 500 bushels of paddy. Circular 
No. 6 of tills Department was issued in June, dealing with the pest and the method of treatment. 
Helopelliti Antonii. — The so-called mosquito blight has been very prevalent in some of the low-country 
districts (Kelani Valley, Kalutara, Udagama), resulting in a great falling off of tea crop on affected estates. A visit 
was made to two of the infected districts, and the local conditions investigated. When the pest is at its height 
during the later months of the year there is an almost complete loss of leaf on badly attacked fields. The insects 
are preseiit in enormous numbers. Ohildien employed to catch them were, on one estate, bringing in from 200 to 400 
insects each per day, without producing any apparent decrease in the number. This pest seems an exception to the rule 
that dry weather favours the spread of insect pests. During the dry months of January, February, and March the 
blight is practically non-existent. The insects commence to reappear with the April rains, and rapidly increase. 
This is the time to attack the pest. Every effort should be made to kill these survivors before they have had time to 
propagate. 'J'he eggs are laid in the young tea shoots, almost invariably at some point above the "initial leaf." 
The young insect emerges in 10 to 12 days' time. It follows therefore that a rigid system of plucking close down to 
the initial leaf, at intervals of 8 to 9 days, and the burning of the plucked shoots, must result m the destruction of a 
very large proportion of the eggs, and must tend to greatly check the increase of the pest. Our knowledge of the 
life cycle of Hclopdtis is not yet complete, and will be made the subject of future investigations. Nothing is yet 
definitely known of the habits of the insects duiing the resting season. It is supposed that most of them die off as 
soon as the dry season approaches. A certain proportion, however, must hibernate and reappear in the spring, or resting 
eggs may be deposited and remain unhatched for several months. The determination of this point is most important. 
Several other plant-sucking Heniqita-a have been sent to me as attacking tea. They are brought in by the 
coolies employed to catch the llclopeltit;. Considerable doubt exists as to the actual damage done by them. The 
commonest, and one somewhat closely allied to Hdopeliis, is Capsus rama, Kirby, a greenish insect with transparent 
wings. It is often present in very large numbers on the blighted tea, and it embeds its eggs in the young shoots in 
a similar manner to the HelopieUis ; but when kept in captivity no punctures were observed upon the tea shoots 
included with the insects. 
Specimens of the common I'ice-sapper, Leptocorha acuta, Thunberg, were received from the Udagama district 
with the information that they also were being captured in large numbers on the tea together with Helupeltis. This 
■ bug also refuses to feed upon tea in captivity. The presence of these insects on the tea requires explanation, and 
will necessitate careful observations on the spot. 
The Spoiled Locust, Fliynmteuii punclalus Fabr. — A serious visitation of these insects occurred in several districts 
during the year. Damage was reported from the Badulla, Matale, Kadugaunawa, Kuruuegala, and Negombo 
Districts, chiefly to cocoanut and areca palms. Shade trees on cocoa estates were also defoliated. Investigations 
of the pest were made upon the spot, and a circular (No. U) was published in December giving a full 
account of the insect and recommendations for treatment of infested estates. If these are carefully attended to, there 
seems no reason to anticipate any very serious spread of this pest. 
TIte CocoantU Cultrpillur. — The small caterpillars that were reported to be ravaging cocoanut estates in the 
Eastern Province towards the end of 1807 have apparently not returned this year. The Government Agent, 
Batticaloa, in a re))ort to the Colonial Secretarj' dated January 13, 1808, writes : — " From inquiries made, and on 
referring to some old diaries, I lind that the pest has been known to exist for the past ihu'ty years, sometimes breaking 
out with great virulence, and at other times disappearing altogether, but impairing the productiveness of the trees 
for a year or two after." 
This caterpillar, which has- not yet been scientifically identified, is gregarious, and feeds upon the under surface 
of the cocoanut fronds, consuming all the green parts, and leaving only the colourless upper cuticle of tiie loaf. It 
even attacks the immature nuts, and causes an uulicalthy exudation of guiumy matit r. The insects conceal themselves 
from view by the construction of galleries composed of silk mixed with comminuted fragments of the leaf. The 
caterpillar itself is quite small, scarcely more than half an inch ui length. The head and next two segments of the 
body are shining black, the remaining parts being cream-coloured with minute brownish specks. It eventually 
develops into a small grey moth, the front wings specked with black. 
To prevent the recurrence of widesi)read damage, action should be taken at the earliest re-appear.incc of the 
pest. The affected leaves should be cut oil while the insects are still upon them, and burnt. It is a mistake to wait 
till the leaves fall off' of themselves, for by that time the caterpillais have completed their iransformations or gone to 
younger leaves. It is the custom of cocoanut planters to fumigate affected estates by burning rubbish on the 
windward side, so as to drive the smoke through the trees. It is doubtful if the iieatmeui would have much ctt'eot aa 
a cure, but ii would be of cun.-,idei.iljle advantage as a preventive measure. 
