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Coconut Diseases. 
,V Zygaenid moth is commencing to give considerable 
trouble to some of the coconut plantations in the Federated 
Malav 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 
ei°'ht 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. 
Erionota thra.r (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. r J he Zygaenid 
moth mines the leaves, whereas Erionota thra.v 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 badlv infested. It cannot he expected that good fruit 
can he obtained from trees seriously attacked by Coer uric, 
and this matter should he explained and demonstrated to 
the natives. 
Tapioca Pests. 
Brack if try pes achatinus 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 
costlv, 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 dav-time and feeding at night its presence in the 
