PART TV. 
season than fields that had not been sprayed. This was due, probably, 
to the fact that many of the predatory insects had been destroyed. 
Jn iveply “No Mr. © Fuller, he stated that he thought that 
if they could get rid of the ant they would be able to get rid of the 
mealy bug also. He asked Mr. Kirkpatrick to explain his remarks in 
regard to the incidence of mealy bug, as he had stated that it was 
more prevalent in the lower districts which are more humid, but that 
it also multiplied in the months of October and March, when the 
rainy seasons commence. 
Mr. KIRKPATRICK thought that the controlling factor at high 
altitudes was not humidity but cold. There were also other 
controlling factors. For instance, Pheidole breeds faster and is more 
active during the rainy season, and also the mealy bug breeds more 
rapidly when feeding on the young leaves and berries than on the old 
leaves and the mature berries. 
Mr. ANDERSON agreed entirely with Mr. Kirkpatrick's opinion 
in regard to the control of the mealy bug. 
It was agreed: — 
That much more work should be done by entomologists in 
regard to the Pheidole ant, and that the question of baits and the 
destruction of nests is worthy of close investigation. As this ant 
was of great importance in Kenya, it was recommended that a 
thorough investigation should be undertaken in Kenya. 
A discussion then took place in regard to Stephanoderes hamper,” 
and the possibility of preventing the spread of this pest from Uganda 
to Kenya; and it was agreed to recommend : — 
That the entomologists in the two territories should meet 
and discuss the question after visiting the coffee areas to the 
east and west of Mount Elgon. 
LYCIDOCORIS MIMETICUS—A POTENTIAL PEST OF COFFEE 
Mr. HARGREAVES read the following paper (referred to in the 
Agenda as T.C.(C)E. & M.5):— 
Although this bug in Uganda has not been responsible for much 
damage to coffee, it is of considerable importance owing to the sericus 
nature of the damage of which it is capable under favourable 
conditions. 
The insect was first recorded on coffee in Uganda during 1916 and 
was again noticed on two other estates during 1917. In each instance, 
judging from the meagre information available, the pest was of minor 
importance. From 1920 until early 1925 L. mimeticus was noticed 
only on coffee growing in shade so dense that little or no crop could 
be produced. In 1925, however, an attack on unshaded coffee came 
to my notice; it occurred on a small portion of an estate which had 
previously produced very little crop and it seemed that the insect was 
favoured by some condition of the soil. More recently, small 
outbreaks have been noticed on unshaded coffee and on trees lightly 
shaded by Para rubber. 
+ See also page 64. 
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