251 
t 
contorted, their presence may easily be detected. All such shoots 
i should be immediately gathered, or if quite freshly attacked the 
f larvae can be killed before they have done any damage. I wish to 
thank Mr. Burn MURDOCK, Conservator of Forests, Federated Malay 
States at whose request these pests wei*e studied, for the kind assis- 
tance afforded me while investigating these diseases. 
- 
H. C. PRATT, 
Government E?itomologist, F. M. S. 
TWO ENEMIES OP HEVEA. 
In the Bulletin du department de V Agriculture aux Indes Neer 
landaises VI p, 46, are described attacks on Hevea braziliensis by 
a Borer, and by Acari, both in the Experimental Gardens of 
Tjikeumente, in Java. The borer is described as attacking fatally 
a 7 -year old tree. The trunk had lost a portion of its bark and the 
exposed wood had been pierced by numerous little holes leading to 
canals, and the bare portion the tissues had developed a thick callus, 
only one tree had been attacked. No insects were found to which 
the damage could be attributed, but small beetles and larvse were 
found which were considered to be secondary attackers. Near the 
damaged tree had been some Castilloas destroyed by Epepscotes 
luscus which showed damage similar to that of the Hevea. The 
description certainly does not agree with that of an attack by 
Epepscotes or any other longicorn beetle which make straight solitary 
vertical tunnels in the trunk, oi considerable size. The account 
suggests that the borers were Scolytidoe attacking wood already 
killed by some accident, common enough in injured rubber trees, 
and not necessary fatal. The callusing of the edges of the wound 
strongly confirms this showing as it does that the damage was of 
old standing. 
The Acari had attacked leaves of seedling Heveas; The leaves 
became contorted and generally speaking a symmetrical when larger. 
The quite young leaves did not develop, and the bud seemed 
swollen, all the plants in the beds w'ere attacked. Under the 
enfolded edge of the leaf in the under side were numerous acari, of 
one of which a rough sketch is given. The author points out that 
when topping the young plants for planting out, the shoots cut off 
and destroyed will prevent the acari from spreading. The attacks 
of acari on young plants was pointed out a long time ago- by 
Mr. ARDEN, and probably many of the deformed leaves one sees 
especially in the nurseries are due to this animal. Flowers of sulphur 
dusted through the nursery would probably be as good a remedy as 
anything, but it would certainly be advisable to top the seedlings 
and burn the toppings. 
H. N. R. 
