Outbreak Promecotheca antiqua - Lindenhafen Estate

Abstract

I left Rabaul on 5th January per M.V. Macdhui for an inspection of the Morobe District, calling at Lindenhafen en route, where I had an opportunity of seeing the outbreak of Promecotheca on that estate and discussing the question of control with the manager.

The pest has reached such plague proportions that it is quite impossible to cope with it in the ordinary method employed in isolated cases of cutting off the infested leaves and immediately burning them in situ. Spraying or dusting tall plants, like coco-nut palms, is out of the question, with other than power apparatus. This would be an expensive method, but in extreme circumstances like that on Lindenhafen, the cost entailed would be justified.