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PSEUDOSPHINX DISCISTRIGA 55 
Relations to the Forest. 
P. discistriga is to be found defoliating the teak in company 
with the two well known defoliators Hydlza puera and 
Pyrausta acheralis. Its own attacks can be easily recognised 
by the large irregular shaped holes eaten out of the leaves, all 
veins being indiscriminately consumed. The attack thus differs 
very considerably from that of its companions, the fornier of 
which leaves untouched the chief and side veins, eating every- 
thing else, whilst the latter feeds only on the parenchyma, leaving 
all veins untouched. Mr. Williamson, who has eight years 
experience of the Melghat forests, informed me that he has 
- noticed them as constantly present on the teak at the beginning 
of the rains, and he is of opinion that this caterpillar does more 
general defoliating damage at that time in those forests than 
either of its companions. In 1897, he noted that go per cent. 
of his teak areas were entirely defoliated in August and Sep- 
tember, but he is not able to say which of these three species 
was most responsible. They appeared to feed equally upon 
both young and old trees and eat old and new leaves indis- 
criminately. I occasionally found it on other trees, but teak is 
its chief host. 
Protection and Remedtes. 
This pest requires further study. I noted that the larve 
appeared to be heavily parasiticised, but I am not at present able 
to say whether the parasites were Hymenopterous or Dipterous 
flies, : 
In the Poona nursery thé young insects were said not to 
be numerous : should they become so, 1 recommend the spraying 
of the young plants with the arsenical powder Paris green. 
Points in the life history requiring further observation. 
1. Where the ege’s are laid. Is it on the twigs of the 
teak ? 
2. Length of time spent in the larval stage. 
3. Length of time spent in the pupal stage and where 
the larva pupates. 
4. Length of time spent in the imago stage. 
s. How the insect passes the cold weather months. Is it 
in the egg stage ? 
