Insect Pests of Various Minor Crops and Fruit Trees in Mauritius

Abstract

The following paper deals with insect pests of various minor crops and fruit trees in the Colony of Mauritius. The damage caused by most of the pests dealt with is often not very apparent, as many of these crops are not grown extensively, and have not been the object of any special investigation up to the present. If extensive cultivation of any of these should be undertaken, it is clear that there might be created a new environment favourable to increase of the insects, and that the pest problem would then have to be dealt with seriously. Our knowledge of these pests is very deficient, as their life-history and habits have never been studied in detail locally. It is also quite probable that extended cultivation may bring to light many potential pests which at present escape our attention.