A list of the more important insect pests of crops in the Nyasaland Protectorate

Abstract

The following paper gives a list of those insects of economic importance which have been collected or bred from various crops in Nyasaland during the first three months of the planting season 1911–12 and the whole of the season 1912–13. No attempt has been made to describe the various species mentioned, but their actual economic importance is stated in each case, so far a3 it has been possible to ascertain it during so short a period. All insects have been included as pests which have been found to feed en any particular crop in sufficient numbers to justify their inclusion in that, category. In many cases the actual damage done may be slight, but at any time one or all of those species which feed regularly on crops may assume the position of dangerous pests, and so insects of apparently minor importance are included with those of definite and proved powers of destruction. The insects of first-class importance, which annually inflict heavy losses on the planters, are ten in number. These ten are confined to cotton, tobacco and maize, of which cotton is the worst sufferer, since it is attacked by a greater variety of insects than any other crop that has come under the writer's notice. Except where the contrary is specially mentioned, insects included in this paper are from the Shire Highlands.