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Control of From an entomological point of view, 
Padi Pests, the practice of allowing stubble and 
self-sown padi to grow, after harvest- 
ing the main crop, is extremely unsound. Several 
of the more important enemies of padi feed on wild 
grasses and, as long as these are allowed to grow 
unchecked, they provide ideal breeding grounds for 
insects which attack the next crop of padi. 
The eggs of the more serious insects are conspicuous 
on the leaves, especially of seedlings, and should be 
destroyed. 
Pests of Cotton. 
Cotton is a comparatively new crop in Malaya, 
and has not yet been planted on any large areas. 
The pests are therefore not by any means fully 
recorded, although those already observed indicate 
that the control of insects will be one of the principal 
factors in obtaining successful cotton crops. The 
wide distribution of other plants of the natural order 
Malvaceae, such as Hibiscus spp. and “ Kapok,” 
(Eriodendron anfmctuosum) , provides alternative 
food plants for a large number of cotton pests. 
The “ Mexican ” Boll-weevil, ( Anthonomus grandis, 
Boh.), has not appeared in Malaya. The most im- 
portant recorded pests are described below: — 
Platyedra gossypiella , Saund., (Gelechiadae) . 
(“The Pink Boll-worm”). 
This insect is the most dangerous pest of cotton 
in Malaya, although at present it is not very com- 
mon. Great damage is done to the lint and seed, 
and the yield of both is seriously reduced. The 
whole larval and pupal life is passed in the boll, 
and the life-cycle is completed in just over a month ; 
