THE INSECTS OF BARBADOS

Abstract

Barbados is of the greatest entomological interest to Puerto Rico, not only because many of its insect pests are the same as those found in Puerto Rico, but also because some outstanding differences in insect fauna occur. Because of a most stringent and well-enforced quarantine, the "piche" of sweetpotatoes, Cylas formicarius Fabricius, does not occur in Barbados, but a quite similar tuber borer, the "scarabee", Euscepes postfasciatus Fairmaire (= E. batatae Waterhouse) is a major pest in Barbados, yet, although present in Puerto Rico, is so scarce that no recent collections have been made here. The same species of vaquita, Diaprepes abbreviates Linnaeus, occurs in both Puerto Rico and Barbados, although the species of Diaprepes present in the islands of the Lesser Antilles between Puerto Rico and Barbados are quite distinct and obviously and conspicuously different.