A Parochial Approach: Colonial Entomology on the Plantations of Nineteenth-Century Sri Lanka
Matthew Holmes (University of Stavanger) Itinerario. 2023;47(2):203-222. doi:10.1017/S0165115323000116 1871 年，世界兩端各出現一段對同一類害蟲的描述。英國昆蟲學家 E. F. Staveley 在《British Insects》裡寫下歐洲讀者熟知的鰓角金龜（cockchafer， Melolontha melolontha ）：棕色翅鞘、身側有黑白鋸齒紋，幼蟲是農民熟悉的「白蟲」。同一年，錫蘭（今斯里蘭卡）的《Ceylon Observer》刊出一封匿名投書，說一座興旺的咖啡莊園被土裡的蠐螬毀掉，什麼辦法都沒用。投書人推測家鄉的農夫和園丁一定也有類似的災害，打算寫信請教一位有經驗的苗圃商。 那位苗圃商始終沒來。十年後接手這件事的，是一位蘇格蘭裔莊園主 Robert…
Nineteenth-century Sri Lanka experienced a perfect storm in its coffee economy, which led to severe infestations by insects. A British entomologist, Robert Camperdown Haldane, played a significant role in addressing this issue. Haldane's work on the coffee grubs was driven by factors such as personal reputation, social standing, and the desire to avoid embarrassment among the plantation community.
His research demonstrated that seemingly global endeavors can often be shaped by the priorities and attitudes of individuals or small groups in the local context.
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