Abstract
THE sugar-cane froghopper, Monecphora (Tomaspis) saccharina Dist., is a serious enemy of the cane growers of Trinidad, and although there are records dating back to 1862, which may possibly refer to this insect, no severe outbreak occurred until 1906. Heavy intermittent attacks have followed ever since, the most disastrous year in this respect being 1917, when about 10,000 tons of sugar were lost through froghopper damage. From 1909 onwards investigations into froghopper eradication were conducted mainly by officers of the Trinidad Board of Agriculture and by certain specialists. Up to the end of 1917 this work was purely of an entomological character, but the studies of Williams and of Nowell showed the need of approaching the problem on a wider basjs. In 1924 a Committee was constituted to inquire further into, and to report upon, the froghopper pest with the view of its control and ultimate eradication. Among other proposals it led in October 1925 to the Governor appointing a Froghopper Investigation General Committee, and the deliberations of this body are published in the form of Minutes and Proceedings at frequent intervals.1 The first meeting of this Committee was held in November 1925, and three subcommittees were appointed to deal respectively with (1) agricultural relations; (2) entomological relations and (3) soil relations. Their personnel included planters, officers of the Department of Agriculture, and members of the staff of the Imperial College of Agriculture. The reports of these subcommittees are considered by a scientific committee which submits recommendations thereon to the general investigation committee alluded to above.
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IMMS, A. The Froghopper Problem in Trinidad. Nature 124, 558–559 (1929). https://doi.org/10.1038/124558a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/124558a0