Notes on a Braconid Parasite of the Pink Boll-worm (Platyedra gossypiella, Saund.) in Kenya Colony

Extract

During November 1926, a few days were spent in making a rapid investigation of the insect pests of cotton occurring on the coast of Kenya Colony, between Mombasa and Mambrui, some eighty miles to the north.

The pink boll-worm, Platyedra gossypiella, Saund., was found to occur in every plot of cotton visited ; it was also noticed that a certain proportion of the worms were parasitised by a species of Braconid, which has been described above by Mr. D. S. Wilkinson under the name of Microbracon kirkpatricki.

A second visit was paid to the coast during the beginning of February 1927, to ascertain to what extent, if any, the pink boll-worm was controlled by this parasite, and to report on the possibilities of its introduction to other countries.

Owing to the short time available for this work, these notes are naturally very incomplete ; it is hoped however that they will be of some value should anyone be of the writer's opinion that it is well worth while attempting to introduce this parasite into other countries.