(. IB ) 
Control measures have been worked out which 
effect a reduction of over 80 per cent, of female 
flowers attacked, but it is too early to state whether 
such methods would be an economic proposition. 
Tirathaba sp. near trichogramma, Meyr., 
( Pyralidae ) . (The “ Greater ’' Coconut Spike-moth) . 
Caterpillars of this moth are often found damag- 
ing and sometimes boring right into the female 
flowers, just after the spike has opened. They feed 
to a large extent on the male flowers, and especially 
on those which have fallen and accumulated at the 
base of the spike. 
The amount of damage varies, but has been con- 
siderable in some cases. Palms which are attacked 
should be cleaned up, and the accumulations of fallen 
male flowers at the base of the spikes removed and 
burned. 
Pests of Rubber. 
Rubber is the most important crop in Malaya, 
but its insect enemies are remarkably few. Cater- 
pillars such as Acanthopsyche snelleni , Heyl, 
(Psychidae) , are occasionally found injuring the 
tapping surface, and others, such as EUproctis sp., 
(Lymantriidae) , injuring the leaves but never ex- 
tensively. The Termite, or “White Ant,” Copto- 
termes gestroi, Wasm., is by far the most injurious 
pest of the rubber tree. Clean-clearing of timber, 
thereby destroying suitable nest logs, will result in 
the control of this Termite. 
The application of control measures, however, are 
not sufficiently practised, and there is a tendency 
to apply superficial and merely temporary remedies. 
