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natural enemies. It is said that control has been 
effected by mechanical means, but the action of its 
parasitic and predaceous enemies was probably not 
sufficiently ■ considered. 
Control should consist in helping the natural 
enemies, but the inter-relation of host, parasite and 
hyper-parasite is at present so little known that no 
definite control measures can be given without fur- 
ther investigation. 
Although outbreaks have so far only occurred 
locally, this pest is a serious menace to the coconut 
industry in Malaya. A sharp watch should be kept 
for the caterpillars, and their presence reported 
immediately to the Department of Agriculture. 
Setora nitens , Walk., {Limacodidae ) , and 
Hidari irava, Moore, (Hesperiidae) . 
Several caterpillars feed on the leaves of the 
coconut palm, the above-named species being about 
the most prominent. 
Batrachedra arenosella, Walk., (Cosmopterygidae) . 
(The “ Lesser ” Coconut Spike-moth). 
The caterpillars of this moth bore into the unopened 
spike and feed on the female and male flowers, 
occasionally completing their life-cycle before the 
spike opens. 
Recent observations indicate that other causes are 
also responsible for a large proportion of the fall of 
female flowers and immature nuts, but this insect 
is undoubtedly responsible for the loss of a certain 
proportion of nuts, and is probably the most serious 
pest on the coconut spike. 
tia - 48 / 14 1 
