304 
Kuang Padi Pest. 
On 12th and 13th December, in company with Mr. Glover, 
Assistant District Officer, I visited Kuang to investigate a padi 
pest which had been reported to this department as having 
ruined the padi, and I have the honour to report as follows : — 
A cultivated area of approximately 50 acres, situated about 
onemilefrom Kuang Station, has been almost completely destroyed 
by apparently the larvae of several insects. The serious damage is, 
however, caused by the larva of “Nonagria (Sesamia) inferens. 
Wlk.” of the family Noctuidae, the others, though numerous in 
species, were causing but little harm. 
In parts the virulence of the disease is much more marked 
than in others; local areas badly affected resembling a field of 
cut hay. During December, the adult insects were almost ready 
to emerge, numerous adult larvae being obtained. The eggs were 
not found, but it is probable that at any rate these are laid chiefly 
on the young padi, and during August or September. The young 
larvae boredhrough the leaves covering the stem, and usually make 
their way into the hollow portion of the latter. It is here they 
commence their destructive work, usually working downwards and 
eating away the part surrounding the hollow portion of the stem. 
When the larva reaches to within about 4 inches of the ground the 
stem falls over and withers, and the great numbers so affected give 
the field the appearance mentioned above. 
In about 20 per cent, of the specimens gathered, pupation 
had taken place below the water, and these were always found in 
a putrefying condition. This no doubt is due to the percolation 
of the water through the epidermis of the stem, which had for a 
short time (perhaps ■ while pupation was taking place) proved 
sufficient protection from the water, but which subsequently 
rotted. In the rest, pupation was above water and as many as 
ten pupae were gathered in a single stem. 
I was unable to find any adult specimens of the pest, probably 
it was too early in this month to obtain them. They are, however, 
with difficulty disturbed, being essentially night fliers. 
A species of bug ( Lcptocorisa acuta Thunb) was observed in 
the field in great numbers, and on inquiring from the natives I 
was informed that the ripening padi is sometimes injured bv this 
insect. 
It attacks the plant bv inserting its proboscis into the young 
fi uit and sucking out the j uice. On mentioning this to the Director 
of Agriculture, and showing him the insect in question, he 
iccollected that in Ceylon a sort of tray, with a long handle, was 
used to collect this same insect, by sweeping over the padi with 
this tray early in the morning. This implement is being made 
and next year the natives will be encouraged to use it. It also 
