An Experiment in Insect-Extermination

Abstract

IN the year 1900 the sugar-cane planters of Hawaii were seriously alarmed by the appearance in considerable numbers in their plantations of an introduced hemipterous insect allied to the cicadas and commonly known as the cane leaf-hopper, but designated scientifically Perkinsiella saccharicida. Since that date the pest has increased to an enormous extent, with an estimated loss of many millions of dollars to the planters. Fortunately, the leaf-hopper has a certain number of enemies among the insects indigenous to Hawaii, since had it not been for the extent to which it was held in check by their attacks it seems probable that sugar-growing would by this time have become absolutely impossible in the islands.