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CASUARINA INSECT-PESTS OF MADRAS. 
For some years past reports have been received from officers 
in charge of the Casuarina Plantations created along the Eastern 
sea-board of Madras that the trees, both in nurseries and in the 
plantations, suffered from the attacks of insect-pests. At first 
these reports appeared to be conflicting, since by some it was 
stated that the roots were the part of the tree affected, whilst 
others described attacks to the bark and wood of the stems and 
branches. From the various grubs sent me on several occasions 
it soon became apparent that several different kinds of insects 
were responsible for the damage done, those most often sent 
being the caterpillar of a moth andthe grubs of two different 
families of beetles. In spite of several attempts it was not, 
however, until recently that perfect insects were procured, thus 
enabling the pests to be identified, 
The insect which would appear to be at present the best 
known and to cause the greatest damage is the caterpillar of 
one of the wood-boring families of moths, the insect being 
a species of Ardela (see p, 438). ‘This has been reported from 
Chatrapur, Godavari, Cuddalore, Nellore (South Arcot) and 
North Arcot, 
Next in importance are some Longicorn beetle borers 
(Stromatium sp. and Lamta (?) sp.) (see pp. 374, 376) which 
are injurious in North Arcot, Godavari and Cuddalore. 
Of some importance would appear to be the larvze of the 
well-known rhinoceros beetle (Oryctes rhinoceros) (see p. 346), 
the date-palm borer, whilst a bostrichid beetle, Apate jesutta 
(p. 364), apparently riddles the wood in Nellore. 
During a tour in the ‘first-half of July (1903) I was able to 
pay my first visit toa Casuarina plantation. I inspected three 
plantations near Chatrapur, in Ganjam, and personally investi- 
gated, in company with Mr. C. E.C, Fischer, the attacks of the 
Arbela caterpillar. Two other insects were discovered to be 
doing damage to the tree. One, a Psychid caterpillar belonging 
to a species of Clanza moth (p. 423) not previously reported, was 
very fairly plentiful and was defoliating the trees; the other, a 
Fulgorid, was collected upon the green branches where it was 
