The Hawaiian gazette., 1904-01-22

Mr.. Giffard. from the entomology
committee, submitted reports from
members OF the STAFF of the entomology
ical department, which appear below.
The first was on the lantana blight.
as seen on the Koolau side of. this ISL
and, and read as follows:
THE LANTANA BLIGHT.
Honolulu, r. H., Jan. 20, 1904.
Gentlemen: on the 10th inst. at the
request of Mr.. Giffard 1 inspected with
him the scale-infected lantana on the
Kailua road. The infected area was
very conspicuous from quite distance.
the foliage having a much darker APP
pearance than that of the healthy BUSH
es. owing to a sooty fungus which Is
nourished by the honey dew exuded,
and on closer inspection the leaves
were found to be curled and covered
with the insect (Orthesia insignis).
Only one patch was observed on the
S. w. side Of the road. but on the OPP
posite side the infected bushes extend
for long distance along the fencing,
where I was informed 1t was originally
introduced. Whether the road has
proved to be to some extent an isolation
belt, as the scarcity of the insect on
the S. w. side would suggest, or wheth-
er its dispersal there has been checked
by the prevailing winds, is a difficult
point to decide.
To the casual observer the area of
infection appears much greater than is
really the case, since large patches of
guava, also, have the same dark ap-
pearance. This, however. proved on ex-
animation to be caused by mealy-bug
(Dactylopius sp).
No Orthesia scale was found upon
guava, even when growing up through
badly infected lantana. A more thor
ough examination, however, would be
necessary to decide the absolute immu-
nifty of the former plant. Further along
the road toward Maunawili a healthy
growth of lantana was found to have
few Orthesias, showing that it's dis
tribution Is by no means limited. The
danger of it's presence near coffee cam
not be estimated, since it is known to
attack that plant among others in Cey-
Ion and is found upon various plants
in South Africa (Capetown, Natal, Port
Elizabeth and e. London), the West
Indies (Trinidad, Jamaica and Antigua)
and British Guiana, from which locality
1t is supposed to have originated.
One very practical method of check
ing the pest, as suggested by Mr.. Gif-
fard, would be to cut down and burn
the infected patches.
Yours truly,
F. w. TERRY.
Assistant Entomologist.
Mr.. Giffard, in advocating the neces-
sity of keeping the Orthesia in check,
said If he could get Mr.. Bolte, owner
of lands in the locality, to act with
him they would employ men at pri-
vate expense to go to work in cleaning
up the Kailua patches. (The speaker
Is ehe representative of w. G.. Irwin,
owner of Maunawili mentioned in the
report)
THOMAS SQUARE BLIGHT.
The following report on the Thomas
Square blight was read:
Honolulu, T. H., Jan. 20, 1904.
w. NJ. Giffard, Esq, Special Commit
tee on Entomology.
Dear Sir: The black blight" in
Thomas Square is merely the ordinary
fungus growth which follows the at
thth oi -puS. IL 10 Solihiitu W q
few trees only (banyans) which on ac-
count of their large size would be very
expensive and difficult to treat. More
over, as the scale-bug causing this
black blight is on practically every
banyan tree in the country and on va
rious other trees, it is sure to return
Immediately after treatment. 1t is
therefore better to wait the opportunity
of securing an efficient natural enemy
for this scale-bug. On the whole 1 may
say that Thomas Square is singularly
exempt from insect pests and compares
most favorably with the average yard
or garden about town.
Yours obediently,
r. c. l.. PERKINS,
Assistant Superintendent of Ento-
mology.
OTHER MATTERS.
Mr.. Holloway reported the tree fumi-
eating plant ready for service, except
for the drying of paint on the canvas.
Mr.. Giffard told of some successful
experiments by Gardener Austin in
fumigating with cyanide of potassium.
Mr.. Holloway read note from Mr..
Kirkaldy, chronological inspector, re-
porting that he had rejected five boxes
of fruit from China.
Mr.. Giffard presented requisition
from Mr.. Perkins, for various supplies
to the chronological division which
would cost about $500. 1t was laid
over for consideration, Mr.. Holloway
making the remark that there was
some money in sight now since the
County Act had been knocked out.
THIN pr ~