SB

931

Cr

REPORT

ON THE

INJURIOUS INSECTS

AND OTHER

ANIMALS

OBSERVED IN THE MIDLAND COUNTIES
DURING 1906.

BY

WALTER E. COLLINGE, M.Sc., F.E.S.,

Foreign Member of the Association of Economic Entomologists, Washington. U.S.A.;

Honorary Secretary of the Association of Economic Biologists; Editor of the

"Journal of Economic L iology "; Honorary Consulting Zoologist to the

Land Agents' Society, and the Midland Reafforesting Association;

Honorary Consulting Biologist to the Warwickshire Agricultural

Society ; and Special Lecturer in Economic Zoology

in thy University of Birmingham.

FOURTH REPORT.

ILLUSTRATED,

BIRMINGHAM :

CORNISH BROS., LTD.

1907.

[ALL RIGHTS RBSBBVED,]

PRICE 2s. 6d.

""

1

!TY OF
RNIA

BEST RESULTS CERTAIN.

-OGY Successful Growers swear by XL ALL Fumigator and
XL ALL Liquid Insecticide Wash, for Vaporising,
Syringing and Spraying.

Agric. D*pt.

LIBRARY

OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA.

Class

ising
by

£ r size).

In Boxes ot 4 lor 1/4, 20 tor 6/4. .Liquid Compound can be ordered tnrougn Agents as
usual.

XL ALL
LIQUID INSECTICIDE.

RICHARDS PATENT FUMIGATOR.

1/9 & 2 - each.

RECB TRADE MARK

XL ALL

LIQUID

NSECTICIDE!

In Bottles.

J-pint. £-pint.
PRICES. 8d. 1/2

Carnation Growers who Have once used
it will buy no other.

4-gal. Drums.

In Enamel Tins.

Pint. Quart. J-gal. Gallon.
2/- 3/6 5/- 10/- 331-

4-gallon Drum charged 3/-, full price allowed on return. Please see that all Bottles
and Tins bear the above Trade Mark, without which none are genuine.

FULL DIRECTIONS FOR USE ON EACH PACKAGE.

From all Nurserymen, Seedsmen, and Florists.

Manufacturer & Patentee, G. H. RICHARDS,
74136 234, Borough, High St., LONDON, B.C.

CLAY 8 FERTILIZER

"nun

3ARY,

JIT

— OP-

The Food of Life for Plan

It feeds the Plant, and promotes Healthy Foliage, Wealth of
Flowers and Fruit, and Abundance of Vegetables.

IT IS SAFB, QUICK AND LASTING.

It is used by the Leading Growers, Government and Local
Authorities, and Horticulturists throughout the world.

Sold everywhere in 6d. and Is. Tins, and in Sealed
V- * Bags :— 7-lbs., 2s. 6d. ; H-lbs., 5s. 6d. ; 28-lbs., 7s. 6d. ;

"Jn °N<g- 56-lbs., 12s. 6d. ; ii2-lbs. 20s. Or direct from the
*V*i i\^ Works, Carriage Paid in the United Kingdom for Cash

TRADE MARK w^n Order (except 6d. Tins).

Every Tin, Bag, and Seal bears the Trade Mark, the only Guarantee
of Genuineness.

FULL DIRECTIONS FOR USE APPEAR IN

CLAV8 SUCCESSFUL GARDENING.

Third Edition. 204 pages. Many Illustrations. Bound in Cloth.
Price 9d. post free, or of Seedsmen.

Its contributions are by the ablest writers of the day. It is an up-to-date work
dealing with the Culture of Flowers, Fruits, and Vegetables, and includes articles on
Exhibiting, Judging, and Growing for Market.

Write for PRICE LIST of Manures, Chemicals, and Sundries. Best only.

CLAY & SON,

Manure Manufacturers, Bone Crushers, &c.,

STRATFORD, LONDON, E.

The name of HOLERS' in connection with Seeds and Seed
Potatoes is a guarantee of PURITY, VITALITY, and CHEAPNESS ; a

valuable reputation is at stake with every parcel of Seed we send
out, and this is the Purchaser's surest guide that he is getting the very
best possible value for his money. For many years our Seeds have
stood the searching test of experience, and our Sales are larger now
than ever — an eloquent vindication of the high claims we have
consistently advanced for them.

FIDLERS' FARM SEEDS.

Our Pedigree stocks of Farm Seeds are amongst the best and
cheapest in the country.

SWEDES, TURNIPS, and MANGOLDS, from 5d. per Ib.
Grass and Clover Seeds for Permanent Pastures, from 15/- per
acre, (40 Ibs.)

Fidlers' Finest Grasses, for Lawns, Cricket Grounds, Golf
Links, etc., etc., 2O - per bushel.

FIDLERS' WORLD-F4MED SEED POTATOES

We hold extensive and well selected stocks of most of the
best varieties in cultivation, grown expressly for seed purposes,
in various districts, on the best Potato soils in the Kingdom,
and are therefore able to give any Of our Customers a complete
change of Seed.

Our Lists of the above and also of Flowering Bulbs, Garden Requisites,

Insecticides, etc., etc., etc., we will gladly forward

FREE upon application.

FIDLER & SONS,

ROYAL BERKSHIRE SEED STORES,

READING.

Of THE

UNIVERSITY

Of

MAP SHOWING MIDLAND COUNTIES.

REPORT

ON THE

INJURIOUS INSECTS

AND OTHER

ANIMALS

OBSERVED IN THE MIDLAND COUNTIES
DURING 1906.

BY

WALTER E. [O3LLINGE, M.Sc., F.E.S.,

Foreign Member of the Association of Economic Entomologists, Washington, U.S.A. ;

Honorary Secretary of the Association of Economic Biologists; Editor of the

"Journal of Economic Biology "; Honorary Consulting Zoologist to the

Land Agents' Society, and the Midland Reafforesting Association;
^ Honorary Consulting Biologist to the Warwickshire Agricultural
Society ; and Special Lecturer in Economic Zoology
in the University of Birmingham.

FOURTH REPORT.

ILLUSTRATED.

BIRMINGHAM :

CORNISH BROS., LTD.

1907.

[ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.]

MAIN LIB

preface* ENTOMOLOGY

LIBRARY

IN issuing a. Fourth Report on the Injurious Insects and other
Animals of the Midland Counties of England, received from various
correspondents during the year 1906, it is again my pleasant duty to
acknowledge a Grant of £10 from the County Council of Warwick aiding
the publication of this Report, my thanks are also tendered to the Council
of the Birmingham Natural History and Philosophical Society, for their
continued assistance with my experimental work in Economic Zoology.

I have pleasure in acknowledging the kind and valuable assistance
given me as regards the figures illustrating this work. To Prof. W. R.
Fisher I am indebted for the loan of the Figures II — VI and 3, to Mr. G.
F. Strawson for Figure I and 2, and the Controller of His Majesty's
Stationery Office and the Secretary of the Board of Agriculture for
Figures i, 4, 6, 8 and 9, taken from the Board's Leaflets.

The question of the continuation of the publication of an Annual
Report, of which this is the fourth, is one that will require very carefully
considering. The cost of printing, illustrating, and distributing two
thousand copies entails an expenditure of close upon £100, and unless
further financial assistance is forthcoming the Report will, I fear, have
to cease.

Each year a wider circle of agricultural and horticultural friends
has been ever ready to afford me all the assistance in their power, and I
value the opportunity of once again being able to thank them for their
kind and valuable assistance.

WALTER E. COLLINGE.

THE UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC ZOOLOGY,
55, NEWHALL STREET, BIRMINGHAM,
May, 1907.

M891816

Contents.

PAGE

Introduction. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... i

Experiments with Insecticides. ... 4

Report and Summary of the 1906 Investigation on the Black-Currant

Gall-Mite. 9

Eelworms 9

Woodlice. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .. 9

The Mussel Scale. Mytilaspis pomorum, Bouche 10

The White Wooly Currant Scale. Pnlvinana ribesii, Sign. ... n

The Felted Beech Coccus. Cryptococcus fagi, Barensp. ... ... 13

The Hop Aphis. Phorodon hunmli, Schrank. ... ... ... ... 14

The Plum Aphis. Aphis pntni, Reaumur 14

The Apple Leaf Aphis. Aphis fitchii, Sanderson. ... ... ... 14

The Willow Aphis. Melanoxanthns salicis (Linn.) ... 15

The Apple Sucker. Psylla mali, Forster. (Illustrations.) 15

The Rhinoceros Beetle. Sinodendron cylindvicnw, Linn. ... ... 18

Wireworms. (Illustrations.) 18

The Large Poplar Longicorn. Saperda carcharias, Linn.

(Illustrations.) 18

The Small Poplar Longicorn. Sapeyda populnea, Linn.

(Illustrations.) 19

The Pine Beetle. Myelophilus piniperda, Linn. (Illustrations.) ... 19

The Ash Bark Beetle. Hylescimts fraxini, Pz. (Illustrations.) ... 20

The Cabbage Gall Weevil. Ceuthorhynchus sulcicollis, Gyll.

(Illustrations.) 21

The Currant Clearwing. Sesia tipuliformis, Linn 22

CONTENTS.

PAGE

The Hornet Clearwing. Sesia apiformis, Fabr. ... ... ... 22

The Common Swift. Hepialus lupulimts, Linn. 23

The Common Vapourer Moth. Qvgyia antiqua, Linn. ... ... 23

The Lackey Moth. Bombyx neustria, Linn. (Illustrations.) ... 24

The March Moth. Anisopteyyx aesculana, W.V. ... ... ... 25

The Turnip Dart Moth. Agrotis segetnm, Schiff. (Illustrations.)... 25

The Codling Moth. Carpocapsa pomonella, Linn. ... ... ... 26

The Pine Bud Tortrix. Retinia tnvionana, Hubn. ... ... ... 27

The Pine Shoot Tortrix. Retinia buoliana, W.V. (Illustration.) ... 27

The Apple Ermine Moth. Hyponomeuta, malintlla, Zell.

(Illustration.) 28

The Hawthorn Ermine Moth. Hyponomeuta padflla, Linn. ... 29

The Mediterranean Flour Moth. Ephestia kuehniclla, Zell. ... 29

The Oak Leaf Roller Moth. Tovtvix viridana, Linn. 30

A New Black Currant Pest. Spilonota roboyana, Tr. ... ... 30

The Cherry Fruit Moth. Aygyrethesia conjugella, ... ... ... 31

The Cabbage Root Fly. Phorbia byassicae, Bouche. 31

The Carnation Fly. Hylemia nigrescens, Rnd. .. 32

The Pear Midge. Diplosis pyrivora, Riley. (Illustrations.) ... 33

The Wheat Midge. Diplosis tritici, Kirby 34

The Stable Fly. Stomoxys calcitrans, Linn. ... ... ... ... 35

The Plum Sawfly. Hoplocampa fulvicornis, Klug ,. ... 38

The Apple Sawfly. Hoplocampa testudinea 38

General Notes on Other Injurious Insects, etc. (Illustrations.) ... 39

Appendix A. 41

Appendix B. ,.. ... ... , ... ... ... ... ... 42

3Liet of SHustratfons.

PAGE

Plate I. Portion of field untreated and treated with Vaporite. 18

Plate II. The Large Poplar Longicorn. ... ... ... ... 19

Plate III. The Pine Beetle 20

Plate IV. The Ash Bark Beetle 21

Plate V. The Lackey Moth. 25

Plate VI. The Pine Shoot Tortrix. ..*. 27

Plate VII. Tent of Apple Ermine Moth 28

TEXT FIGURES.

The Apple Sucker (Psylla mali). ... ... ... 16

The Cabbage Gall Weevil (Ceuthorkynchus sulcicollis). 21

The Turnip Dart Moth (A gratis segetum). ... ... 26

The Pear Midge (Diplosis pyrivova). ... ... ... 34

Jflg.

i.

Fig.

2.

Fig.

3-

Fig.

4-

Fig.

5-

Fig.

6.

Fig.

7-

Fig.

8.

Fig.

9-

6. The Winter Moth (Cheimatobia brumata).
The Great Yellow Underwing Moth. ...
The Small White Cabbage Butterfly. ..
The Plum Bark Beetle. .

34
39
39
40
40

REPORT

ON THE

INJURIOUS INSECTS AND OTHER ANIMALS

OBSERVED IN THE MIDLAND COUNTIES
DURING 1906.

" Knowledge alone is not the destiny of man u-pon the earth, know-
ledge must play its part in /*/£."— HELM HOLTZ.

" Economic Entomology r, or a knowledge of those insects which
injure cultivated crops, is so vast a field of discovery, tha\t every season
brings forth fresh subjects for investigation ; and although this arises
in a great measure from the neglect which has attended this important
department . . . it seems as if a cycle were revolving, which exhibits
species previously unobserved, at intervals of greater or less extent,
. . . so that enemies to the cultivator may suddenly become great
annoyances in latitudes where they had been previously unknown"

JOHN CURTIS.

INTRODUCTION.

DURING the year January 3ist, 1906, to January 3ist, 1907, eleven
hundred and seventy-one inquiries have been dealt with. Of these,
eight hundred and forty were connected with agricultural and garden
pests, nineteen referred to household or commercial pests, and three
hundred and twelve specimens were sent in for identification.

Applications for information were dealt with from the Imperial
Department of Agriculture for the Fiji Islands ; the Liverpool School
of Tropical Medicine ; the Land Agents' Society ; the Midland
Reafforesting Association ; and the Agricultural Committees of various
County Councils.

In all, one thousand and twenty-three written replies have been
sent out,

2 REPORT ON INJURIOUS INSECTS FOR 1906.

My hearty thanks are here tendered to A. H. Martineau, F.E.S.,
H. Willoughby Ellis, F.E.S., Robert Newstead, A.L.S., and Dr. D.
Sharp, F.R.S., for assistance in various ways.

The year 1906 will long be remembered in the Midland Counties,
if not generally, as one in which insects of all kinds were exceedingly
abundant, some to such an extent as to form a plague ; conspicuous
amongst these must be mentioned the Hop Aphis, which, in spite of
the most persistent efforts on the part of growers, has caused serious
losses. The Apple Ermine Moth, the Lackey Moth, and the Plum
Sawfly have been unusually plentiful in Worcester, Warwick, Stafford
and Leicester. The Felted Beech Coccus has been reported from three
Worcestershire localities, but I fear no attempt has been made to deal
with a pest which is slowly but surely threatening the Beech trees of
this country. A new pest to Black Currants has been met with some-
what plentifully in Worcester, viz., Spilonota roborana, Tr. The
Vapourer, Lackey, Turnip Dart, Codling and Winter Moths have all
been abundant.

The Wheat Midge and Cabbage Root Fly have occasioned much
damage. There has been a marked increase of the Pear Midge in
Worcester and Hereford, also the Apple Sucker and Mussle Scale.

Wasps were never more abundant, and large quantities of fruit
have suffered. Concerted action on the part of fruit-growers would
well repay any time and expense. Those who have watched the gradual
but rapid increase of these insects during the last three years, regard
the situation as one calling for immediate and drastic action.

Of injurious birds, the tits, bullfinches, chaffinches, sparrows, rooks,
wood pigeons and starlings have further increased, and fruit-growers
have been, and are again, urged to take some united action to check
what threatens to be a serious matter in the near future if no
action is taken.

A serious epidemic of Eelworms has been prevalent throughout
the Midland Counties ; indeed, the presence in Warwickshire and
Worcestershire of the root-knot eelworm (Heterodera radicle ola) is
becoming a matter for serious consideration. A thousand circulars
were issued in October drawing attention to the matter, and advocating
action on the part of all who had land infected.

During the past year the Council of the University of Birmingham
have founded a Department of Economic Zoology, and the whole of
the writer's time and services are now therein devoted.

The area which this Department will endeavour to work com-
prises the counties of Shropshire, Stafford, Derby, Leicester, Warwick,
Worcester and Hereford.

A Register of the names and addresses of the farmers and fruit-

EXPERIMENTS WITH INSECTICIDES. 3

growers of these counties is being- compiled, and already most of the
Worcester, Warwick and Hereford agriculturists are entered, and a
large proportion from the remaining counties.

Application should be made by letter in the first instance, stating
the particular crops or branch of agriculture the applicant is interested
in. Such names will be placed upon the Department's Register to
receive, free of charge, copies of all future Reports, Circulars, etc.

Investigations.

During the past session the experiments upon the Black Currant
Gall-Mite have been continued, particulars of which will be found
on p. 9.

For some years past material has been collected with the idea of
a more careful and systematic study being made of the Gall-Midges
(Cecidomyidae), a family of minute flies of great economic import-
ance. It is only necessary to instance the Hessian Fly, Pear Midge,
Pea Midge, and Wheat Midge in confirmation of this statement.
Already the life-histories of two or three species have been carefully
worked through, and much valuable information obtained.

Much attention has been given to the subject of Insect Parasites
of Insects, some of the species obtained are probably new, but time
has not permitted of their yet being investigated.

The experiments mentioned in my last Report upon Insecticides
have been continued, and very valuable results have been obtained.

The question of some better winter sprayfluid for fruit trees has
occupied much attention. It was too early to state the results in my last
Annual Report, but during the year 1,000 circulars have been issued
to fruit-growers detailing these, and the matter has now been actively
taken up by fruit-growers, particularly those in Warwickshire, Wor-
cestershire, and Herefordshire.

REPORT ON INJURIOUS INSECTS FOR 1 906.

EXPERIMENTS WITH INSECTICIDES.

As stated in my last Report, p. 14, a number of experiments had
been made upon the eggs of the Apple Sucker, and in November, 1905,
further experiments were commenced with a mixture of

Caustic Soda (80 per cent) ... ... 2 Ibs.

boft Soap ... ... ... i lb.

Water ... ... ... 10 gallons.

Later, experiments were made with a similar fluid, but double the
quantity of soft soap was added.

Apple twigs, with the eggs of the Apple Sucker and Mussel Scale
on, were taken and dipped into these fluids and then allowed to dry.
The cut ends were first sealed, and after dipping they were placed
under glass, into pots of soil, where they remained until June, 1906.

Few of the eggs were damaged, and on one twig on which there
were sixteen eggs of the Apple Sucker, which was dipped into water
twelve hours after being in the caustic soda solution, all the eggs
hatched out

Caustic Soda (98 per cent.) ... ... 2 Ibs.

Paraffin ... ... ... I pint

Soft Soap ... ... ... -| lb.

Water ... ... ... 10 gallons.

Twigs with the eggs of the Plum Aphis were dipped once into the
above fluid. There were sixty-one eggs on the two twigs, and forty-
two hatched out. The same fluid was tried warm on other twigs,
but the result was the same.

In a similar fluid, only containing two pints of paraffin, three
twigs with eggs of the Plum Aphis on were experimented with, with
the following results : —

Out of 1 6 eggs only J hatched out.

52 30

103 57

With three pints of paraffin and the same quantities of soda,
soft soap and water as mentioned above, a fluid was made and applied
to a large number of twigs. The percentage of eggs killed was 55 per
cent.

When the paraffin was increased to four pints the percentage rose
to 70 per cent., and with five pints to 85 per cent., but fell to 66 per
ce.nt, when six pints were used,

EXPERIMENTS WITH INSECTICIDES. 5

In one case a twig having 42 eggs of the Apple Sucker, and about
60 scales on, gave a percentage of 92 per cent., and a similar result
was obtained with twigs with the eggs of the Plum Aphis on.

Whilst the above laboratory experiments were being carried out,
out-of-door experiments were commenced with the following spray-
fluid : —

Caustic Soda (98 per cent.) ... ... 2 Ibs.

Soft Soap ... ... ... i lb.

Paraffin ... ... ... 5 pints.

Soft Water ... ... ... 10 gallons.

The soft soap was dissolved in a gallon of boiling water, and
whilst still hot the paraffin was added and beaten up into a creamy
liquid. The whole of the liquid was then pumped with force through
a fine spray nozzle, in the usual manner, into another vessel.

The caustic soda was dissolved in 9 gallons of rain water, and
into this solution the paraffin emulsion was then poured, and the two
well mixed together.

All the applications were made in the first week in March, and
the results in the open fully bear out the excellent results obtained in
the laboratory.1

Further experiments, of which it is too early yet to give the results,
have been made with the Felted Beech Coccus, the eggs of the Red
" Spider," and other Aphids.

It is proposed to substitute this soda-emulsion sprayfluid in the
future for the caustic soda and carbonate of potash sprayfluids given
in previous Reports.

Experiments, with a view to providing a complete winter insecti-
cide and fungicide are being carried out, also with various carbolic,
lime and sulphur, and lime, sulphur and salt sprayfluids, and will be
reported upon at a later date.

It may be pointed out that the results so far obtained by the
different lime and sulphur, and lime, sulphur and salt sprayfluids have
proved most disappointing, and other experiments, not made by the
writer, with similar fluids have given very poor results. In this con-
nection I may draw attention to a recent work by Mr. J. K. Haywood,
of the United States Department of Agriculture, in which he states :
" In the lime-sulphur-salt-soda wash the author is unable to see that
anything is gained by the addition of salt, although it is recognized that

1 Unknown to me at the time, a series of experiments were being carried out at the
Woburn Experimental Fruit Farm, and the results obtained by an almost precisely similar
sprayfluid, confirm the value of this mixture. The results are set forth in great detail in
the Sixth Annual Report, and should be carefully studied by all interested. A brief
summary of the conclusions arrived at in this Report has since been published.

6 REPORT ON INJURIOUS INSECTS FOR 1906.

some hold strenuously to the belief that the wash without it is a failure.
Besides this it would appear that the caustic soda entirely takes the
place of the lime, in so far as the caustic action of the wash on the
scale is concerned. . . . Therefore a wash composed only of sulphur,
caustic soda and water seems worthy of a trial." The author then
goes on to recommend the following as a proposed formula : —

Water ... ... ... 50 gallons.

Powdered Sulphur ... ... ... 19 pounds.

Caustic Soda ... ... ... 10 pounds.

The sprayfluid is made as follows : — Make a paste of the sulphur
with not more than 5^ gallons of boiling water ; at once add all the
caustic soda, which has previously been broken up into small pieces,
and stir occasionally for half an hour. Then add 44^ gallons of water,
stir, and the sprayfluid is ready for use.

Most important results have been obtained from two sprayfluids,
which for the present I shall term V i and V 2.

V I is a winter sprayfluid of great penetrative power. In one
orchard, where it was tried on about 100 acres of Apple, Pear, and Plum
trees, and 34 acres of various fruit trees, Apple Sucker, Apple Aphis,
Plum Aphis and Mussel Scale were exceedingly bad last year. A
careful inspection was made in March of some 30 to 40 of the worst
attacked trees, and not a single egg of any of these pests could be
found alive.

In another orchard equally good results were obtained. The trees
were mostly Apple, and thick with Mussel Scale, but in spite of the
most careful searching and examination no live eggs could be found.
Indeed, I can confidently state that, in my opinion, on April 24th in
these orchards there were fewer living insect pests in any stage to be
found than I have ever previously seen.

The grower writes :—

" It gives me pleasure to inform you that since I have used your
winter wash for spraying my fruit trees I find a wonderful difference.
It has practically cleared out American Blight, and all other insects
and fungi in my Apple trees, and I am more free from these pests
and aphis generally than I have ever previously been. I consider the
winter washing very effectual, and I think you have made a most won-
derful stride in the art of spraying fruit trees."

One spraying was sufficient to kill the eggs of Chermes abietis,
on branches of Larch, also Chionaspsis salicis covering branches of
Ash.

V 2 is intended to replace sprayfluids used in the spring and
summer. The following are some of the reports received from fruit-
growers who have tried it : —

EXPERIMENTS WITH INSECTICIDES. 7

I. — I tried the fluid on Gooseberry -bushes for red spider. It is
six days since I used it, and I can see absolutely no trace of any
damage done to leaf or blossom. I gave a Plum tree in full bloom
a thorough drenching, with apparently no ill effect, also a Gooseberry-
bush in the same stage.

" The Apple tree I used it on was only partly out in leaf."

" I feel sure it has done good, as the leaf looks brighter and
healthier all round."

2. — " Our trees never looked cleaner, you have discovered a valu-
able wash."

3. — " On Gooseberry sprayed yesterday evening with V 2 diluted
1-150, every Red 'Spider' I found is dead, as many as eight on one
leaf."

4. — " I don't think there are a dozen Suckers in the whole place,
the only one I found was on the branch I purposely did not spray,
and this on a tree known to be badly infested."

5. — " I have now given a good trial to the tin of spray fluid for
greenfly, etc., which you so kindly sent me a short time back. I found
it a very nice wash, and I think the best I have yet tried, as when
diluted with 150 parts of water, with the chill off, it killed most of
the fly on my Peach trees, without damaging the young leaves. What
flies were not killed were those the spray failed to get at."

6. — " I duly well sprayed Plum, Apple, and Gooseberry trees. . . .
I am free from insect pests. ... I do not perceive any damage to
foliage except a slight discolouration of the Victoria Plum trees,
whereas the Greengages do not show it at all. I shall do all fruit trees
again on Saturday."

In both cases the material readily mixes with cold water, and with
the minimum amount of trouble.

I may here state that it is absolutely necessary that the fluids go
through a somewhat complicated mechanical process, which it is not
possible for a private individual to carry out, except under great
expense, which would at once place the fluids beyond the cost that
a practical fruit-grower could afford to pay for a large area of trees.

Early in the present year I found that the Cooper Research
Laboratory were working at the subject of Insecticides, and were experi-
menting with a fluid of a somewhat similar character.

I also found that they had overcome the difficulties of combining
the various chemicals which it was necessary to employ in the manu-
facture of this fluid, so as to bring out its maximum insecticidal power
without injury to the trees.

The mechanical and chemical processes which it is necessary for
the chemicals to undergo are somewhat complex, and demand the pos-

8 REPORT ON INJURIOUS INSECTS FOR 1906.

session of considerable chemical knowledge. They would also involve
the erection of a plant of prohibitive cost to the fruit-grower.

The Staff of the Cooper Research Laboratory have very kindly
given me every assistance in their power, and have defrayed the cost
of spraying several large orchards during the experimental stages.
I have now made certain recommendations to them, and as the result
of our joint experiments I think the fruit-grower will have in V I and
V 2 a winter and summer sprayfluid very difficult to improve upon.
In carrying out this work my thanks are due to the Laboratory Staff
for the ready and able manner in which they have at all times
assisted me.

INVESTIGATIONS OF THE BLACK CURRANT GALL-MITE. g

REPORT AND SUMMARY OF THE 1906 INVESTIGATIONS
ON THE BLACK-CURRANT GALL-MITE.

I have little to add to my previous Report, a more lengthened
experience has shown that one part of finely-ground unslaked lime
and two parts of sulphur acts rather better than equal parts of these.

Numerous growers in all parts of the United Kingdom have
written reporting the beneficial nature of the application of lime and
sulphur. I am now more sanguine than ever of arresting the further
spread of this insidious pest, if growers will only continue the treat-
ment, and carry out the instructions. Numerous statements have
occurred in the Press recommending slaked lime, others state the pro-
portions of lime and sulphur wrongly, whilst one states that the mixture
may be dusted on by means of a muslin bag tied on the end of a
stick !

Such statements are most misleading, and have no doubt led many
to apply the wrong materials and in different quantities than I have
recommended. In some of the horticultural papers these errors have
been corrected, but it has been impossible to do that generally.

Experiments with sulphur in the form of a sprayfluid have been
continued, but the results are not anything like so satisfactory as with
the dusting.

EELWORMS.

As pointed out on p. 2, Eelworms constitute one of the worst
pests with which the farmer and horticulturist of the Midland Counties
has to contend.

Experiments are at present being made on a large scale with the
treatment of the soil with solutions of carbolic acid. These have been
undertaken with a dual object : firstly, to test the efficacy of the
different solutions, and to see if one can be obtained that can be profit-
ably employed on large areas ; and, secondly, to study the after effects,
if any, upon the subsequent crop.

I hope to be able to publish a short report upon the subject during
the present year, in order that farmers and others may be able to treat
their land during the winter of 1907-8, if it should seem desirable.

WOODLICE.

Only one case has been reported during the year where these pests
have been really serious. My correspondent wrote that he had tried
almost every remedy, and that all his greenhouses were overrun with
the pests. During the summer they were present to such an extent
that in one house it was almost impossible to grow anything.

10 REPORT ON INJURIOUS INSECTS FOR 1906.

On inspecting the different houses I decided to treat all of them
with Vaporite, and to lay traps, consisting of wet wooden boards,
12 by 6 inches, which were left lying on the ground over-night and
examined next morning. By this simple and uncostly method of treat-
ment all the houses were cleared, and none have been seen for some
time past

THE MUSSEL SCALE.

Mytilaspis -pomorum, Bouche.

There has been a considerable increase of this insect, and it has
been reported from many orchards which have previously been known
to be free from it.

It is hoped that the good results obtained with the caustic soda-
emulsion sprayfluid will induce many growers to apply the same, and
clear their trees of this pest. In numerous cases, where I have been
able to examine the trees since being sprayed, the efficacy of this spray-
fluid is confirmed.

The following letter, received from a large grower, is only one
of many written in similar terms.

" It may be some pleasure to you to hear of the great benefit your
prescription of caustic soda, etc., for killing Mussel Scale has been
to me.

"I started spraying on March nth, and continued to do so as
the wind allowed me until all the Apple trees were finished. Some
of the trees had a very bad attack indeed, so bad that on many branches
not a single piece of bark could be seen, the whole surface being
covered. Immediately on being treated with the soda wash the Scale
turned white, and it has since shrivelled up, and the trees are left in
a better condition than they have been for many years. The bark is
clean and bright, and the general appearance immensely improved.

" No doubt a good many Scale escaped, as I started late in the
year, and could only go over the trees once, and of course only one
side of the tree can be sprayed according to the direction of the wind,
but next winter I shall start in good time, and go over every tree twice,
or even more, and I have no doubt that I can so reduce this pest as to
be of practically no harm to me.

" I also dressed my Plum trees with the same wash with very good
results. The green and moss have quite disappeared, leaving the bark
in fine, clean condition. My neighbour, who made great fun of me
over spraying, and absolutely refused to have his trees sprayed, has
been so struck by the change in my trees that he has asked me to let
my men spray his trees next winter,"

THE WHITE WOOLY CURRANT SCALE. II

THE WHITE WOOLY CURRANT SCALE.

Pulvinaria ribesii, Sign.

I recorded this scale in my last Report from Walsall, Wednes-
bury, and the neighbouring district. This year I have met with it in
quite a number of orchards in Worcester, though never in any great
quantity.

It is a troublesome pest, and is best attacked, I think, by the use
of the caustic soda-emulsion.

LIFE-HISTORY.

The larvae hatch out in June- July. At first they are extremely
active, running all over the plant, but after a time they fix themselves
to the wood of the previous year's growth. Towards the end of July
they undergo their first moult, a second one taking place about the
middle of August. After this the sexual distinction commences to
appear. The following account is given by Newstead1: —

" Both males and females are at first identical, but the former
eventually assume a more elongate form, and the reticulations become
more confluent. These changes give the insect a darker appearance.
So soon as the elongate form is attained in the male insect, the pupa-
rium is commenced ; at first there is only a faint trace of the carinae,
but in a few days it is completed. Under this covering the insect
changes to the first pupal stage, finally losing the mouth-organs char-
acteristic of all the previous stages. Presumably, therefore, it takes no
further nourishment from the food-plant. Towards the end of August
the first pupal skin is moulted and pushed out at the anal extremity
of the puparium ; the true pupal form is then attained. About seven
days later the white caudal filaments of the male are seen to project
beyond the puparium ; at first they are short, but in the course of a
few days they assume their full length, when the tips of the wings may
also be seen projecting beyond the puparium. The first males appear
during the second week in September ; they continue to emerge over a
period of twenty-one days, the last hatching as late as the second week
in October. In confinement the males become very restless, frequently
taking a short, rapid flight, which reminds one more of a gigantic
leap. When the insect is about to take flight, the long caudal filaments
are carried semi-erect, and the wings are spread out and slightly ele-
vated. I did not observe any of the males take flight out of doors,
except when made to do so by disturbing them with a fine-pointed
instrument. After fecundation the males die. About the end of Sep-

iMonog, British Coccidae,

12 REPORT ON INJURIOUS INSECTS FOR 1 906.

tember the females effect their third moult, but on this occasion only
the ventral skin is cast off at the anal extremity, remaining- as a minute,
white, shrivelled object on the bark until the wind carries it away.
After this moult many of the females change their quarters, but the
majority remain where they first fixed themselves as young larvae.
Growth takes place immediately after the moult, and by the third week
in October the insects attain a length of 3-4 mm. Their colour then
closely resembles that of the bark of the food-plant, and is thus highly
protective, so much so that even when the branches are almost covered
with coccids, the latter are by no means conspicuous. The insects pass
the winter in the stage last described, and early in March, if the weather
is warm and sunny, the females begin to show signs of growth, and
to secrete honey-dew ; should the weather change to cold and frost,
they again become dormant, as in winter ; but they begin to re-eject
the secretion when warmer weather again sets in. It is, however, during
the last fortnight in April and the first week in May that the greater
amount of honey-dew is expelled. Towards the end of April the
females thicken, and the margin of the body formerly fixed to the
branch becomes raised from the middle to the posterior extremity,
thereby slightly exposing the underside, which presents a dull orange
colour. At this stage the formation of the ovisac is commenced, but
the eggs are not laid in it until the pad-like sac has attained some
thickness. . . . The completion of the sac represents the period of
egg-laying ; individually this occupies altogether about twrenty-one
days, but collectively it is continued over a much longer period. The
females, during the process of the formation of the ovisac, become
gradually tilted up from behind, until, eventually, they are only
attached to the branch by the anterior or cephalic margin, which posi-
tion is maintained for an indefinite period — sometimes for two or three
years. Death takes place shortly after the egg-laying period ; the
body then changes to a chocolate-brown, and eventually almost black,
and is much wrinkled transversely.

" Summarising these observations, we find that there is but one
brood in a year. The larvae hatch in June and the early part of July,
the first moult taking place from the middle of July onwards ; the
second moult is in August, when a sexual difference is first observed.
Pupation takes place towards the end of August, the males appearing
in September. They then fertilise the females, when the latter moult
again for the third time. Hibernation commences shortly afterwards,
and the insects remain dormant until the spring. Egg-laying takes
place a,t the end of April and throughout the early part of May. In
all probability the period here set forth may vary slightly according
to the season. My observations were made during the years 1899-1902,

THE FILTED BEECH COCCUS. 13

on a colony established on a large plant of Ribes sanguinfum, trained
on a south wall, and in other ways well-sheltered from cold winds.
The colony was established by attaching- to the plant in question a
small branch of Black Currant, tenanted by about twenty females,
with their ovisacs full of eggs. In due course the larvae hatched and
produced several thousand fertile females, but only one male ! Thus
the majority of the females were parthenogenetic. In the following
year the increase from the first lot of females was enormous, and
portions of the food-plant were at times covered by millions of young
larvae, thousands of which perished through want of space on the
seasoned wood ; here and there a few examples fixed themselves upon
the young and tender shoots, or more rarely upon the leaves, but none
reached the first moult on the latter, and very few completed a full
life on the former. The colony which survived on the seasoned wood
practically covered every available portion of it.

" The second generation under observation produced a large num-
ber of males, but there was a great preponderance of females. At that
period (1900) the colony was in its most flourishing condition, and
every branch of the food-plant was glistening white with their ovisacs.

" With regard to the males, I noted one remarkable fact — they
were almost exclusively confined to those branches which harboured
the old dead females and their ovisacs of the previous year ; only a
very few male puparia occurred upon branches which had not been
previously tenanted by tue females. The wood which was tenanted by
the previous generation was older, and there was naturally less space
upon it for their successors ; but whether this fact, together with the
greatly overcrowded condition of the individuals, had any effect on
the production of males, I am unable to say ; but, taking all the facts
into consideration, it is not probable that it had. In the numerous
colonies of this species that have come under my observation I only
once previously met with the male puparia, and that was under pre-
cisely similar conditions. The plant had become overcrowded, and the
male puparia were fixed chiefly on the old wood among the dead
females of the preceding generation."

THE FELTED BEECH COCCUS.

Cryptococcus fagi, Barensprung.

This most undesirable pest is undoubtedly increasing in the Mid-
land Counties, and it is very desirable that wherever it is noticed that
it should at once receive attention.

For many years past, owing to the neglect of Beech trees on
different estates, this scale has been allowed to remain unmolested
and spread to fresh trees.

14 REPORT ON INJURIOUS INSECTS FOR 1906.

Judging from experiments made this spring, the winter sprayfluid
V i seems likely to prove effective here ; if that should ultimately prove
to be the case, it will be much easier to attack with this than with the
caustic soda-emulsion.

Experiments have also been made with the fluid V 2, when the
trees are in leaf, with excellent results.

THE HOP APHIS.

Phorodon humuli, Schrank.

Not for thirty years at least has this insect been such a plague.
Appearing on the byne early in June, there was an almost constant
migration of the pest throughout the summer.

The climatic conditions which prevailed were all in its favour,
and growers were put to great expense owing to the repeated washings.

I have pointed out to many Worcester growers the necessity for
spraying Plum, Damson, and other prunes with the caustic soda-emul-
sion sprayfluid in the winter, and again in the spring with paraffin
emulsion. If some united action were taken, I am sure it would be pro-
ductive of great good.

In the vicinity of many Worcestershire hop plantations there are
standing to-day Damson, Plum, and Sloe trees which should have been
cut down and burnt years ago. They are old, neglected trees, bearing
no fruit — indeed, the only purpose they fulfil, so far as I can see, is
to form a breeding ground for the Hop Aphis.

THE PLUM APHIS.

Aphis pruni, Reaumur.

Throughout the Midland Counties this insect has been most plenti-
ful wherever Plums were grown. Not a few of the orchards have been
sprayed with the caustic soda-emulsion with excellent results, others
are being treated with the liquid V 2.

THE APPLE LEAF APHIS.

Aphis fitchii, Sanderson.

Thanks to the excellent work of Professor Dwight Sanderson, we
now know that there are three distinct species of Aphis attacking the
Apple, viz. :

The Apple Leaf Aphis (Aphis Jitchii, Sanderson).
The Permanent Apple Aphis (Aphis pomi, De Geer).
The Rosy Apple Aphis (Aphis sorbi, Kaltenbach).
The first-named species has been the common species in the Mid-

THE WILLOW APHIS. 15

lands during- 1906. Unlike the latter two species, the Apple Leaf
Aphis does not cause the leaves to curl.

Briefly, the life-history is as follows: —

The eggs hatch out about the middle of April, and commence
attacking both leaf and blossom buds, the latter becoming brown and
dying. In ten to twelve days the young reach maturity, and early
in June they commence to migrate to various grasses, returning to the
Apple about the middle of September, on which they deposit their
eggs in the axils of the buds.

Spraying1 in the autumn with a paraffin emulsion before the
Aphides lay their eggs is undoubtedly the best remedial measure,
failing that, winter spraying with the caustic soda-emulsion must be
carried out

THE WILLOW APHIS.

Melanoxanthus salicis (Linn.).

A Worcester correspondent forwarded in September last specimens
of this insect from a number of Willow trees, which were literally
swarming with the insects in all stages of growth. The attack was
first noticed in the early part of the year, and gradually became worse.
In July there was scarcely a leaf left on the trees.

This species is one of the largest of the Aphides, but apparently
a local one. I have not hitherto met with it in the Midland Counties.

Buckton 1 records it as occurring on Poplar trees as well as
Willows.

In the above-mentioned case the trees were well sprayed with
paraffin emulsion in the autumn, and up to the time of writing I have
not heard of their re-appearance.

THE APPLE SUCKER.

Psylla mali, Forster.

Wherever Apples are grown in the Midland Counties the Apple
Sucker has been the most serious pest that the fruit-grower has had
to contend with. In Worcestershire it has proved particularly injurious.

A full account of the life-history of this insect was given in my
Report for 1904.

Reports are just coming to hand of the beneficial effects that have
resulted from the use of the caustic soda-emulsion, which, I am pleased
to say, has been taken up by most of the fruit-growers in this country.

The following extracts from a few of these reports may be of
interest, especially in view of the fact that Mr. F. V. Theobald, so

Monog. Brit. Aphides, 1879, vol. ii. p. 23.

16 REPORT ON INJURIOUS INSECTS FOR 1906.

recently as March last, stated : " So far, we know nothing- that will
destroy them [the eggs], and it is extremely doubtful if anything will
be found which will not at the same time harm the shoots."

I. — "This orchard was in a very dirty state . . . where I used
the [caustic soda-] emulsion I find hardly any insect life at all, and
practically no caterpillars." (Hereford.)

2. — " The only sprayfluid that has ever touched the Apple Psylla
e£gs- Our orchards are wonderfully free this year." (Worcester.)

3. — " I consider your petroleum caustic soda recipe a splendid
one for a winter dressing, being a great check upon destructive insects."
(Gloucester.)

FIG. i. — THE APPLE SUCKER (Psylla mali).

i. — Larva, natural size. la. — Larva after third moult, much magnified.
2. — Perfect insect, natural size. 2<*.— The same, much magnified.

4. — " We should like to inform you that the caustic soda-emulsion
recommended by you last autumn, and which we sprayed with in
February, has wrought a wonderful change on our fruit trees. Last
year we had Apple Sucker very badly, and Mussel Scale also, but so
far this year our trees seem clear of both these pests. It has also taken
off the moss, etc., and with it probably many other pests." (Worcester.)
5. — "Your wash was very effective." (Hereford.)
6. — " Last year my Apples and Currants were ruined by the Psylla
and Currant Aphis. They were sprayed once with your caustic soda-
emulsion, and this year they look wonderfully well and entirely free

THE APPLE SUCKER. 17

from these pests. The fruits have not set like this for at least eight
years back. I cannot speak too highly of your recommendation."
(Warwick.)

7. — " I think your winter wash of caustic soda-emulsion spray
is the most effective of all those I have tried, it cleared the trees of
the great majority of their pests." (Hereford.)

The Evesham correspondent of the " Fruit-Grower " writes to that
paper (April 4th, 1907, pp. 258, 259) as follows: —

" I have been much interested in the spraying of five acres of fruit
trees here, the more so as strict account has been kept of cost, method
and time. The trees are Apples and Plums, in alternate rows, i6ft.
high by I2ft. through. These were sprayed for Psylla with winter
wash (Mr. Collinge's formula). The quantity of ingredients used and
cost were : —

Royal Daylight Oil, 95 gallons ... ... £280

Caustic Soda, 98 per cent. ... ... 300

Chiswick Imperial Soft Soap, 2 firkins ... I o o

Labour ... ... ... ... 600

Horse Hire and Incidentals ... ... 150

£13

Or, say, 553. per acre. The machine employed was the Canadian spray
motor. Two sprays were worked at once, and the work was done very
thoroughly. The nozzles were the Canadian spray nozzles (medium)
one single and one with three nozzles. The latter was by far the most
satisfactory and expeditious. Although it is too early yet to judge
the efficacy of the work, still a great number of- Psylla eggs show
cracked under the microscope, and there is no doubt in the mind of
the proprietor that incalculable good has been accomplished. But
the main point of interest to growers is that this shows that spraying
can be done effectively and cheaply, 553. per acre being a moderate
cost. Of course, this spraying was well planned and managed, and
management in this matter is everything.

' One grower finds that his Gooseberry-bushes, grown under trees
recently sprayed with the above wash, are entirely free from Red
Spider, which has hitherto plagued them, while other bushes which
have had no contact with the spray are badly infested. Perhaps this
experience can be duplicated. Growers, please note."

18 REPORT ON INJURIOUS INSECTS FOR 1906.

THE RHINOCEROS BEETLE.

Sinodendron cylindricuni, Linn.

Two or three cases have been inquired into, where the larvae of
this beetle were reported as damaging Ash trees. In all cases, how-
ever, the trees were attacked by fungi, and in a very bad condition.

So far as I am aware this beetle seldom attacks sound trees.

The only action that could be taken in the above cases was to
cut the trees down, which was done, and many thousands of the larvae
and beetles were found to be present.

WIREWORMS.

The experiments with Vaporite as a remedy for Wireworm have
been continued with the greatest success.

In one case it was tried upon a six-acre field in which Wireworms
had been present for some years. During 1905 swedes were grown,
and suffered considerably. Early in 1906 the land was treated with
Vaporite, an excellent crop was taken off the land, and, although I
have seen and examined the land, no Wireworms could be found.

In spite of various derogatory statements, made by people who
have not taken the trouble to experiment with this material, I am now
fully convinced of its efficacy, and I have no reason to speak in its
favour beyond the fact that I am interested in seeing these pests exter-
minated, and from actual experiments I am convinced of the value of
Vaporite as a remedy.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE I.

Fig. i. — Portion of field treated with Vaporite.
Fig. 2. — Portion of field not treated with Vaporite.

THE LARGE POPLAR LONGICORN.

Saperda carcharias, Linn.

In the Midland Counties this insect has been met with on several
occasions. In two cases considerable damage was done to avenues of
Poplars. The insect attacked the trees near the ground, rendering it
peculiarly liable to be damaged later by the wind.

The eggs are deposited in crevices in the bark of Poplars and
Willows (I have found the larvae in Oak also), near to the ground.
These hatch out from about the middle of July to the middle of
August. The larvae commence and bore their way into the wood,
forming vertical galleries (Fig. 3), extending to the centre of the tree.
Trees attacked can usually be identified from the fact that the wood

Plate I.

Fig. i.

Fig. 2.

Plate II.

Fig. i.

Fig- 3-

Fig. 2.

Fig. 4-

THE PINE BEETLE. ig

dust is forced out by the larvae a,nd lies around the trees. Pupation
takes place in the spring- of the third year, the perfect beetle emerging
about June.

PREVENTIVE AND REMEDIAL MEASURES.

In nurseries where the beetles are suspected at all, the saplings
should be smeared over to a height of about five feet from the ground
with a mixture of clay, paraffin, and soft soap, made into a thick paint.

All saplings that are attacked should be felled and removed before
the beetles emerge.

THE SMALL POPLAR LONGIGORN.

Saperda populnea, Linn.

Specimens sent in of Poplars attacked by a beetle larvae were
found to contain the pupae of this beetle. Unlike S. carcharias, the
larva makes a circular gallery, which gives rise to a gall-like swelling
(Fig 4). Later, the larva forms short vertical galleries.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE II.

Fig. i. — The Large Poplar Longicorn Beetle.

Fig. 2. — Larva of the same.

Fig. 3. — Burrows made by the Larva in the stem of a young poplar.

a. Plug of boring dust.
Fig. 4. — Burrows of the Small Poplar Longicorn Beetle, in an aspen

twig, showing two flight holes.
Fig. 5. — View of the interior with the larval burrows exposed.

THE PINE BEETLE.

Myelophilus pmiperda, Linn.

Five cases have been reported upon during the past year where
much mischief had been done by the larvae and beetles of this insect.

LIFE-HISTORY.

The female deposits her eggs, which number 100 or more, on
standing timber, selecting the lower portions of the stem, also on
dying or felled timber, or on tree stumps. There is no breeding
chamber made as in the case of some allied genera, the eggs being
laid in small tunnels in the bark. The larvae hatch out in from four-
teen to twenty-one days, and at once commence to eat their way beneath
the bark, forming a series of smaller tunnels at almost right angles
to the main tunnel. At the end of these tunnels the small, legless

20 REPORT ON INJURIOUS INSECTS FOR 1906.

larvae pupate during June, the beetles appearing at the end of June,
the commencement of July, or even later. The first developed often
produce a second brood.

The beetles then fly to the surrounding trees and commence boring
into the young shoots, doing great damage.

Hybernation takes place in tree stumps, the roots of standing
trees, or in the rough bark at the lower part of the trunk.

PREVENTIVE AND REMEDIAL MEASURES.

All timber known to be infected should be felled, barked, and
the bark burnt.

Old stumps and broken stems should be taken up or barked.

On all felled timber the bark should be removed not later than
the beginning of April.

Trap-trees should be cut, and the pieces placed against the lower
part of standing timber ; in these pieces the beetles lay their eggs.
Not later than the end of May these props should be collected and
barked, and the bark burnt.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE III.

Fig. i. — Piece of Pine bark showing the burrows of the Pine Beetle

(Myelophilus piniperda, Linn.).
Fig. 2. — Imago.
Fig. 3. — Larva.
Fig. 4.-^Pupa.

THE ASH BARK BEETLE.
Hylesinus fraxini, Pz.

Three cases of damage to Ash trees have been reported upon. In
all three the trees were perfectly sound otherwise.

The female beetle lays her eggs on the stems and branches about
the end of April, and the larvae hatch out in about twenty-eight days,
becoming full-fed and pupating towards the end of June, and remain
in the burrows in the bark until the following April.

The mother and larval galleries, and pupal chambers are well
illustrated in Figure I, PI. IV.

PREVENTIVE AND REMEDIAL MEASURES.

On young Ash trees, spraying with a mixture of carbolic acid and
75 per cent, alcohol gave very good results.

Trees badly attacked should be barked in June, and the bark
burnt.

Tarring the trees has been tried, but with only partial success.

Plate III.

Fig i.

Fig- 3-

Fig. 4-

Fig. 2.

Plate IV.

Fig. i.

Fig. 2.

THE CABBAGE GALL WEEVIL. 21

EXPLANATION OF PLATE IV.

Fig. i. — Burrows of the Ash Bark-beetle on ash sapwood. (Natural
size.)

a. — Mother galleries.

b. — Larval galleries.

c. — Pupal Chambers.
Fig. 2.— The Ash Bark-beetle (Hy If sinus fraxini, Fabr.).

THE CABBAGE GALL WEEVIL.

Centhorhynchus sulcicollis, Gyll.

Many correspondents in Worcester, Warwick, Shropshire and Staf-
ford have written respecting the damage done by the larvae of this
beetle.

Some experiments were made with Vaporite on infected and un-
infected turnips, and although not perfectly successful, they indicate
that if this material had been put down earlier much better results
would have been obtained.

FIG. 2. — THE CABBAGE GALL WEEVIL.
i. — Weevil. 2.— Pupa. 3. — Larva. 4-6.— Galls.

LIFE-HISTORY.

The female deposits her eggs on the roots of cabbages and turnips,
or with her proboscis excavates small holes, into each of which she
usually places a single egg. In about ten days the larvae hatch out,
as short, thick, legless, yellowish-white maggots, and around each a
small swelling arises known as a gall. Within this the larva passes

22 REPORT ON INJURIOUS INSECTS FOR 1906.

the winter, and when full-fed it leaves the gall, and in the earth makes
a cocoon consisting of an internal gummy-like substance, surrounded
by particles of earth. It remains in the pupal stage about eight weeks.
In the early part of the year this life-cycle takes place on such
cruciferous plants as Charlock, and later on the cabbage and turnip.

PREVENTIVE AND REMEDIAL MEASURES.

Charlock and all cruciferous weeds should be destroyed.

All infected cabbage stalks should be burnt, instead of being
allowed to rot in heaps or buried in the ground. In both cases the
propagation of this pest is favoured, for the larvae make their way
from the galls into the earth, where they pupate, and later the beetles
emerge ready to infect a new crop.

THE CURRANT CLEARWING MOTH.

Sesia tipuliformis, Linn.

In both Currant and Gooseberry stems, but particularly in the
former, the larvae of this moth has been received from Warwickshire,
Leicestershire, and Worcestershire.

An account of the life-history was given in my Report for 1904,
so that it !s only necessary to here repeat what was said respecting
preventive and remedial measures.

Whenever the leaves of a Currant or Gooseberry tree commence
to wither, and the shoots to die, for no apparent reason, the larvae
of this moth are in all probability present, and, if found, the tree
should be closely pruned and all the cuttings burnt.

Cuttings should always be carefully examined for any signs of
the moth before planting.

I am informed that if the trees are well dusted with soot and lime
in equal parts, in May and June, the moths will not lay their eggs
on such.

Some trees which I have under observation, and upon which a
number of experiments have been made, I hope to report upon at a
later date.

THE HORNET CLEARWING MOTH.
Sesia apiformis, Fabr.

Two cases of serious injury to Alder, and one to Poplar, have been
reported upon during the past season.

LIFE-HISTORY.

The female moth appears in June, and early in July she deposits
her eggs in cracks in the bark of Alder and Poplar on the lower parts

THE COMMON SWIFT MOTH. 23

of the stem. The dirty white larvae appear at the end of July or
early in August, and at once commence to bore galleries in the tree.
They invariably commence low down on the tree, and often form large
cavities on one side of the tree only, later passing up the centre of
the stem. Young trees in consequence suffer considerably from the
wind, being broken off where these cavities occur.

The larvae remain active in the galleries until the May of the
third year, when they pupate, forming a cocoon of the wood dust.
Very occasionally the larvae pupate in the ground.

PREVENTIVE AND REMEDIAL MEASURES.

Wherever the moth is suspected, the lower portions of saplings
and young trees should be smeared over with a mixture of clay,
paraffin, and soft soap, made into a thick paint.

Saplings badly attacked are best cut down and burnt.

Towards the end of June the moths may be seen on the tree trunks,
and should be destroyed.

THE COMMON SWIFT MOTH.

Hepialus lupulmus, Linn.

A correspondent forwarded in April the larvae of this moth feed-
ing upon the roots of Phlox and Budbeckias, where it had done much
harm. It has also been reported as damaging Daffodils and other
garden plants.

Wherever suspected the soil should be turned over, and the larvae
collected and destroyed. Dressing the soil with Vaporite will also
prove effective.

THE COMMON YAPOURER MOTH.

Orgyia antiqua, Linn.

The larvae of this moth have been sent in by many correspon-
dents. In most cases Apple and Plum trees were attacked, but Rose,
Lime, and Poplar trees have been damaged.

LIFE-HISTORY.

The female deposits her somewhat flattened eggs in numbers vary-
ing from 250 to 300. Usually they are deposited on or close to the
cocoon from which she has emerged. They hatch out in from fourteen
to twenty-one days, but not un frequently some remain unhatched until
the following year, as first pointed out, I believe, by Newman.

24 REPORT ON INJURIOUS INSECTS FOR 1906.

The young caterpillars at once commence to make their way all
over the tree. As soon as full-fed the larva spins a cocoon, which
it attaches to the bark of the tree or to twigs, or it may be to the
leaves. The moths emerge about twenty-one days later. Those eggs
which remain unhatched until the following year hatch out in May,
so that it is possible for a second brood to appear in the same year.

PREVENTIVE AND REMEDIAL MEASURES.

As the female moths are unable to fly, grease banding should be
carried out.

All egg masses and cocoons should be destroyed in the winter.

Spraying with arsenate of lead will destroy the caterpillars, but
on fruit trees this should be carried out some time before the fruit is
gathered. The sprayfluid is prepared as follows: — Dissolve I oz. of
arsenate of soda in warm water, and add 16 gallons of soft water.
Dissolve HlslT-3 ozs. of acetate of lead in soft water, and add to the
above and stir well. To this sprayfluid either 2 pints of a paraffin
emulsion may be added or 2 Ibs. of treacle.

THE LACKEY MOTH.

Bombyx neustria. Linn.

Throughout the Midlands this moth has been unusually plentiful
during the past year. In other countries the caterpillars of this moth
have at times done serious damage, and it would be unwise to neglect
the carrying out of proper methods until the pest becomes a plague.

LIFE-HISTORY.

The moths appear in July. About the middle of that month or
early in August the female deposits 300 to 400 greyish-brown eggs.
The egg masses usually take the form of a close spiral, and form
cylindrical masses around the young stems and shoots. A Worcester
correspondent, however, writes that the moths have been so prolific in
his district that they have not only deposited the eggs in bands, but
on the cocoons, and scattered them everywhere. For the first time he
had noticed them on Black Currants.

Early in the following May the small, black, hairy caterpillars
appear, and immediately commence to spin webs, which are enlarged
from time to time. Here they live in companies varying from 30 to
100 until full-fed. During the day time they leave these webs and
feed upon the leaves, returning at night or during wet weather. In
fine sunny weather the somewhat handsomely-coloured caterpillars
may be seen suspended from the branches by threads, or if disturbed
they will let themselves down in this manner.

o* ^

(**&&,

-

I.

Plate V.

Fig. i.

Fig. 2.

Fig- 3-

Fig. 4.

THE MARCH MOTH. 25

They become full-fed towards the end of June, prior to which,
however, they leave the webs and no longer live in companies. In some
sheltered spot, such as bark cracks, between leaves, under roofs of out-
buildings, etc., they spin a golden yellowish-coloured cocoon, the moths
hatching out in July.

PREVENTIVE AND REMEDIAL MEASURES.

All twigs and primings bearing the egg masses should be burnt
during the winter.

Such birds as the cuckoo, blue tit, etc., feed upon the larvae.

In orchards the webs should be collected and destroyed, and all
leaves, long grass, and undergrowth should be burnt.

Much damage will be saved by spraying with arsenate of lead
as soon as the larvae are noticed.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE V.

Fig. i. — The Lackey Moth (Bombyx neustria, Linn.). ?
Fig. 2. — Egg-ring on a twig.
Fig. 3. — Larva.
Fig. 4.— Pupa.

THE MARCH MOTH.

Anisopteryx aescularia, W. V.

The larvae and wingless females of this moth have been received
from different correspondents, with complaints of the former damaging
Apple, Pear, Elm, and Oak trees.

As in the case of the Winter Moth, grease banding should be
resorted to. Trees that have been sprayed in the winter with the caustic
soda-emulsion, and are, in consequence free from moss, lichens and
broken bark, are much less likely to be attacked than neglected trees.

THE TURNIP DART MOTH.

Agrotis segetum, Schiff.

This is one of the most destructive pests we have in the Midland
Counties at the present time ; many agriculturists, horticulturists and
nurserymen have complained of its depredations, which have proved
of a serious nature in some cases.

LIFE-HISTORY.

The females lay their eggs on the ground or on the plant from
the end of June to the end of August, and the caterpillars emerge in

26 REPORT ON INJURIOUS INSECTS FOR 1906.

about fourteen days. At first they feed above the ground, and are
exceedingly destructive, as they usually bite the plant just between
the stem and the root, later they destroy the tops of different plants,
and as winter approaches they go below the surface, feeding upon the
roots.

During the winter they may continue to feed, or they form an
earthy cocoon, in the cavity of which they remain until the following
spring, when they again commence to feed. Pupation takes place
usually early in June, and the moths emerge about twenty-eight days
later.

FIG.' 3. — Male and female Turnip Dart Moths.

PREVENTIVE AND. REMEDIAL MEASURES.

The preventive measures ate few, such birds as the starling, rook,
jackdaw, magpie, plover, and partridge undoubtedly destroy large num-
bers of the larvae, and should consequently be encouraged.

Handpicking the larvae is most effective. Curtis 1 mentions that
Lord Suffolk " cleared a field of eight acres of swedes by hand-
picking : a boy followed each hoer, and collected upwards of 1,000
daily. Above 16,000 were picked at an expense of less than two shil-
lings per acre."

Watering with various fluids, the application of lime, and soaking
the seeds in various substances have been tried, but none have proved
of much value.

Recently I have experimented with Vaporite with excellent results ;
indeed, I am of opinion that this is the best remedy we have yet for
this and allied pests.

THE CODLING MOTH.

Car-pocapsa pomonella, Linn.

A full account of this pest, together with preventive and remedial
measures, was given in my Second Annual Report (1905), and I have
nothing to add to it.

i Farm Insects, p. 124.

Plate VI.

THE PINE SHOOT TORTRIX. 27

THE PINE BUD TORTRIX.

Retinia turionana, Hubn.

Two cases of damage to Scotch Pines by the larvae of this moth
have been reported on.

LIFE-HISTORY.

The female deposits her eggs towards the end of May or early in
June. A single egg is laid on the middle bud of the whorls. The
larva hatches out in about ten days, and at once bores its way into the
centre of the bud, destroying the same. Occasionally the lateral buds
also are attacked.

Pupation takes place about the middle of May in the following
year, and the moth emerges at the end of May or early in June.

The same measures as recommended for the Pine Shoot Tortrix
should be carried out wherever possible.

THE PINE SHOOT TORTRIX.

Retinia b 210 liana, W. V.

Various correspondents in Staffordshire and Leicestershire have
forwarded the larvae of this small moth, together with the injured
shoots of Scotch Pine.

LIFE-HISTORY.

The moths appear towards the end of June or early in July. The
female deposits her eggs among the terminal buds, and the caterpillars
hatch out late in August or early in September. In the latter month
they hibernate in the buds, and pupate the following May at the bases
of the injured shoots. Infested trees are easily identified by the dis-
torted shoots, the injured one's turning downwards, whilst those which
have been destroyed usually die, leaving stumpy growths, due to the
unnatural development of other buds. The pupal stage occupies about
twenty-eight days.

PREVENTIVE AND REMEDIAL MEASURES.

The only measure of any value, and it is not always possible to
carry out, is to remove all injured shoots, and burn the same.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE VI.

Pine branch, showing distortion after antecedent injury by the larva of
the Pine Shoot Tortrix.

d. A larval gallery exposed, Nat, size.

28 REPORT ON INJURIOUS INSECTS FOR 1 906.

THE APPLE ERMINE MOTH.

Hyponomentd inalinella, Zell.

Numerous correspondents in Leicester, Stafford, Warwick, and
Worcester have forwarded the tents formed by the lavae of this moth.
With one exception they were all from Apple trees, and were present
in great numbers.

There seems to be some little doubt as to whether the Apple Ermine
is distinct from H. padella, L., a species common on the Hawthorn.
Having bred both these species during the past season, and given some
attention to the matter, I agree with those entomologists who regard
the two as distinct.

From a very general examination it will at once be seen that the
species on the Hawthorn is rather larger than that occurring on the
Apple, and there are also slight, but fairly constant, differences in the
colour and markings of the wings.

LIFE-HISTORY.

The moths were first seen on July 2nd, and the first larvae received
on June 8th. Only a very few of these were reared, as quite two-thirds
were parasited by a small hymenopterous insect, Limneria tibicdis,
Grav. Some authors state that the moths appear towards the end of
June, and this would appear not at all unlikely.

The eggs are deposited by the female moth in small circular
masses on twigs and branches of the trees, and covered over with a
gummy secretion, which, at first yellow in colour, soon resembles the
colour of the bark. Each mass contains an average of sixty eggs,
which hatch in the autumn, the tiny pale-yellowish larvae remaining
within the gummy coverlet throughout the winter. Early in the spring
they escape from these nests and make their way into the buds. Here
they commence to mine the leaves, tunnelling in all directions, feeding
upon the soft layers of cells in the middle of the leaf. The number
of larvae in the leaf varies, but ten may be taken as an average. Later
they feed upon the leaves and blossoms. By this time they have in-
creased in size, and changed from pale yellow to an ashy grey with
fine black spots, which colour deepens, and the spots become more
conspicuous as the larvae grow older. They now become gregarious,
and spend the remaining portion of their larval stage in grey, silky
tents, spun between the leaves, and later amongst the twigs (PI. VII).

These tents are plentiful in May, and continue to increase in size.
Towards the middle of June the larvae commence to form cocoons
very close to one another, in which they pupate, and the moths appear
in about twelve or fourteen days time,

PLATE VII.

Tent of Apple Ermine Moth, with moths just emerged.

THE MEDITERRANEAN FLOUR MOTH. 29

PREVENTIVE AND REMEDIAL MEASURES.

Much good can be done by collecting the tents with the inhabiting
larvae and burning them.

Spraying in the winter with the caustic soda-emulsion will, I
believe, prove the best remedial measure.

Starlings will occasionally feed upon the larvae, as do also tits.

THE HAWTHORN ERMINE MOTH.

Hyponomeuta padella, Linn.

Like the preceding species, this has been unusually plentiful during
the last summer.

The life-history is very similar to that of the Apple Ermine, and
the same preventive and remedial measures apply.

THE MEDITERRANEAN FLOUR MOTH.

Ephestia kuehniella, Zell.

In certain flour mills in the vicinity of Birmingham this moth has
been the cause of considerable trouble. The only effective remedy is
fumigation with bisulphide of carbon ; but there seems a reluctance
on the part of millers to take such drastic steps.

The history of this insect is of more than passing interest. Until
1 877, when this moth was discovered in a flour mill at Halle, Germany,
it was practically unknown. It was described by Zeller as a new
species in 1879. It seems, however, that it was known to practical
millers in France as early as 1840. In 1884 it was observed in Belgium,
in 1885 in Holland, and in 1886 in England. Till then it was thought
to be an importation from America, but nothing was known of the
insect on the American Continent until 1889, when it appeared in a mill
in Ontario, Canada, later spreading to the United States.

There is fairly reliable evidence to show that the Mediterranean
region was probably its centre of dispersal. The eggs are laid by
night, either singly or in chains of 8-10, a single female producing
about 200 eggs. Five or six days are occupied in egg-laying, after
which the female dies in a day or two. The eggs hatch in eight to nine
days. At first the larvae are very tiny, I millimetre in length, but in
five to six weeks they become full-grown, measuring half an inch. Like
many grain- feeding insects, they spin fine silken threads. The cocoons
are formed of silk mixed with flour.

30 REPORT ON INJURIOUS INSECTS FOR 1906.

THE OAK LEAF ROLLER MOTH.

Tortrix viridana, Linn.

Mr. J. G. Blakey, of Redditch, writes :—" This season the cater-
pillar of the above moth has been very destructive in this district ;
there is a good deal of Oak timber around Redditch. A wood about
half a mile out, called Pitcher Oak Wood, the property of the Earl
of Plymouth, was nearly denuded of foliage— some people had an
idea that the Oak was late coming into leaf. A large portion of the
above wood was almost destitute of foliage on the 2Oth of June, and
looked like a winter scene. I intended taking a photograph, but my
time was then taken up so much. I have felt very sorry that this was
not done. I had anticipated a very bad attack from seeing so many
moths last year. Such destruction must make much difference to the
timber production on a large estate. I noticed particularly that the
house sparrow was one of the busiest destroyers in the way of birds.
Near to a window in my dwelling was a sparrow's nest, and it was
most amusing to see the old birds bringing in the moths to feed their
young ; they would carry several moths in their beaks during each
visit. I also noted that a species of Ichneumon Fly, with yellow and
black markings, was very busy with the caterpillars. I noticed these
Ichneumons carrying something into one of our plant houses, so I care-
fully followed them ; when I found they put the caterpillars down for
a time, then took them off again, so I came to the conclusion that they
were depositing their eggs in the caterpillar. I ought to have kept
some of the caterpillars, so as to have seen the result. I hope to do so
another season."

A NEW BLACK CURRANT PEST.

Spilonota roborana^ Tr.

In Worcester a new Black Currant pest has made its appearance,
in the form of a small Tortrix moth, the larvae of which behaves very
much in the same manner as an American pest, the Currant and
Gooseberry fruit worm (Zophodia bella, Hulst.)

The larvae, which were first seen by me on June I5th, feed upon
the fruits as soon as set, eating a hole in the side large enough to enter,
and after devouring the whole of the interior of one berry, it passes
on to another. The leaves and empty fruits, or partly eaten ones, are
loosely webbed together.

The larvae continue to feed until nearly the end of June, when
they become full-fed and pupate on the bushes, the moths appearing
in about three weeks time.

So far as I can learn, there is no previous record of the larvae of

THE CABBAGE ROOT FLY. 31

this moth behaving in this manner, and one can therefore only regard
it as a change in the feeding habits, which is likely to prove serious
to growers of Black Currants.

It was too late when last year to try the effects of any spraying,
but I hope to do so this season.

THE CHERRY FRUIT MOTH.

Argyrethesia conjugella.

Another Tineid pest was reported by a correspondent in Worcester
attacking Cherries. It has not previously been met with in the Mid-
lands, and it is to be hoped that it will not re-occur this season.

THE CABBAGE ROOT FLY.

Pkorbia brassicae, Bouche.

This is a pest particularly prevalent in the Midland Counties, and,
I regret to state, one that is slowly but surely extending itself over a
wider area.

The fly is not unlike the common house-fly in general appearance,
though smaller, and with proportionately larger wings. Many of the
flies probably hybernate during the winter.

Early in May the female deposits about fifty eggs, either on the
surface of the ground near the plant, or upon the plant stem, and
the larvae hatch out in about seven or eight days.

Washburn 1 gives the following account of egg-laying, as observed
by one of his assistants : — " When a fly lights on a plant in search
of a place to deposit her eggs she runs quickly down the stalk to the
ground. Here she searches alternately with her forward or rear end
or ovipositor for some crevice or crack through which she can obtain
access to the stalk of the plant underground. She acts rather nervously,
occasionally running up on to the leaves. The ovipositor is, when ex-
tended, nearly as long as the abdomen, very flexible and pointed. With
this she tries every place offering any chance of furnishing what she
desires. When she has finally found a crevice, she forces the ovipositor
in to the limit, and stands still for several seconds, meanwhile usually
polishing her head with her fore pair of legs. Then withdraws her
ovipositor, and, after climbing on to the plant again, flies with a slow
flight near the ground to a point of vantage or to another plant. I
watched five flies at work, and they all laid eggs while I was watch-
ing them. Only one of them laid more than one egg in a place, and

Minnesota Univ. Agric. Exp. Stat., Bull. No. 100, 1906.

32 REPORT ON INJURIOUS INSECTS FOR IQO6.

she laid two. The eggs were carefully concealed, and were not visible
from outside without disturbing the soil."

Given food, the larva quickly grows, becoming full-fed in about
twenty-one days.

When full-fed the larvae make their way into the soil, but they
may remain in the plant. The larval skin hardens, and forms a pupa-
rium or external covering for the pupa within. The time the insect
remains in this stage varies considerably ; indeed, it may be anything
from a fortnight to several months : those flies that emerge in a fort-
night or so give rise to another brood, and this may be repeated several
times, the final pupa of the year remaining in the soil until the follow-
ing spring.

In addition to cabbage, swedes, turnips, and radishes, many other
plants are attacked.

PREVENTIVE AND REMEDIAL MEASURES.

Farmyard and organic manures generally are said to attract the
flies, and should therefore be avoided.

Where bad attacks have been experienced, cabbages and all cruci-
ferous plants should not be grown on the same land for at least two
years.

Professor Slingerland, in 1894, suggested the use of discs or cards
of tarred paper, applied around the stalk. The object is to fit the cards
close to the stem and the ground, so that the fly cannot get under it.
She will then be forced to deposit her eggs on the card or on the soil
beyond it. In either case the larva, when hatched, are unable to reach
the plant. I am informed that the use of these cards by large growers
in the United States has given most successful results, but I have not
found any large growers in this country who will entertain such a
method.

Sand saturated with paraffin and scattered around the plants has
proved useful on small areas. Half a pint of paraffin to a bucket of
dry sand.

Carbolic acid and lime made into a thin cream and applied in a
similar manner has given good results, as also two pounds of glue dis-
solved in a gallon of water and mixed with one-half pound of bran
(Washburn).

THE CARNATION FLY.

Hylemia nigrescens, Rnd.

The larvae of this fly have been received from many Midland
horticulturists and nurserymen. It has proved a most troublesome pest,
and one difficult to attack.

THE PEAR MIDGE. 33

Some observers have stated that the larvae pupate in the soil, but
in both pinks and carnations I have always found the pupae in the
stem.

A weak solution of carbolic and paraffin was sprayed over some
carnations growing quite close to a lot affected with this fly, but they
remained perfectly free from it. I have recently examined them, and
find them perfectly healthy and free from the larvae.

I am informed that mixing soot with the soil previous to. layering
has proved effective, but I have no personal experience of its efficacy.

THE PEAR MIDGE.

Diplosis pyrivora, Riley.

Although the Pear Midge has increased in many orchards, it has
been almost entirely destroyed in others by the simple method of bury-
ing the surface soil.

A correspondent, in whose orchards it was not practicable to turn
over the surface soil, owing to the large number of surface roots,
carted on to the land sufficient soil to make a layer four or five inches
deep, and it proved most successful.

Wherever Kainit has been used, it has proved a waste of time and
money ; and once again I would warn fruit-growers of going to the
expense of applying this material, which is practically useless.

Having in previous years written at some length upon this pest,
and devoted considerable time to the study of its life-history, it is with
no little surprise that I have read the account given by Mr. Cecil War-
burton, in the Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society (1906, Vol.
LXVII, p. 271). It is there stated that, " It is only thirteen years ago
since the Pear Midge was first recorded in England." I would point
out that it was referred to by Edward Newman (Entomologist, 1875,
VIII, p. 167 and 189), who states that he received affected pears from
Henry Reeks, of Thruxton, in the spring of 1874 or 1875. It is also
recorded by Meade (Entomologist, 1888, Vol. XXI, p. 123). Miss
Ormerod makes mention of it in her Report for 1884, and I myself
examined fruitlets with the larvae in taken in Worcestershire in 1894.
I have been informed by certain Midland fruit-growers that it was
known in the Midlands fully thirty years ago. From available evi-
dence this would seem to be about the time that it appeared in this
country.

It is further stated that in the case of infection " it will be cheaply
got rid of if every pear on that particular tree is sacrificed." And
again, " the practical points are these : that during the month of May
the grubs are in the young pears, and are destroyed by picking off and
burning the infested fruit."

34

REPORT ON INJURIOUS INSECTS FOR 1 906.

I fear the amount of labour involved in picking off the pears from
the trees of even a medium-sized orchard is scarcely realized. Such
a method might be worth while carrying out on a few trees, but it is
not practicable where large numbers are concerned.

Stiffffiti

FIG. 4.— THE PEAR MIDGE (Diplosis pyrivora).

i. -Pear stunted and malformed by the larvae within it. 2.— Section of
pear showing larvae within. 3. — Larva, much magnified. 4.— Female
Midge, much magnified, lines show natural length of midge and larva.

FIG. 5.— THE PEAR MIDGE (Diplosis pyrivora).

i and 2. — Distorted pears containing larvae. 3.— Section showing larvae
within.

*

THE WHEAT MIDGE.

Diplosis tritici, Kirby.

Two cases of wheat infected by " Red Maggot," from Warwick-
shire correspondents, have been examined and reported upon during
the past year. Not having dealt with this insect in any previous Report,
some account of the life-history and habits may be useful.

LIFE-HISTORY.

The female midges make their appearance at the end of May or
early in June, and lay their minute, transparent eggs on the wheat

THE STABLE FLY. 35

blossom. They average 15 to 30 in number. Miss Ormerod ] mentions
that the females " may be seen laying their eggs, and are noted as
being busiest at work about 8 o'clock in the evening. In the morning
they may be found resting on the lower part of the culm of the wheat,
with their heads downwards, flying about, however, in great numbers
near the ground when the stems are shaken," which habits I can
corroborate.

The larvae hatch in nine or ten days (a few took twelve days).
They are almost transparent at first, gradually turning yellow, and
then changing to an orange-red. When full-fed some of the larvae
leave the ears of the corn and fall to the ground ; here they bury them-
selves in the soil, and remain as larvae for a fortnight or even more,
ultimately changing to pupae. Some of the larvae remain in the corn.
The pupae are enclosed in filmy cases, and are reddish in colour.

In addition to attacking wheat, this species attacks rye, oats, barley,
couch and other grasses. It has been thought by some writers that the
female first lays her egg on couch, meadow foxtail, wild oat, and other
grasses, and that the wheat is infested from broods from this source.
There are probably two or three broods in a year, but I do not think
that the first is confined to couch and wild grasses.

PREVENTIVE AND REMEDIAL MEASURES.

All wild grasses near to cornfields, such as those mentioned above,
should be destroyed.

The destruction of all chaff and dust from the threshing machine
is an important matter, for when thrown on one side it forms an admir-
able breeding ground for the Midge, clouds of which come out in the
following May or June ready to infest the wheat.

As with other species of flies belonging to this family, the proper
treatment on the field is fo bury the surface soil. This has proved
effective in Canada and elsewhere.

THE STABLE FLY.

Stomoxys calcitrans, Linn.

Numerous specimens of this insect have been sent in for identifica-
tion by various correspondents. Newstead 2 has recently given a very
full account of its life-history, from which this is taken. He states
farmyards and stables are evidently the favourite haunts of this fly ; it
occurs also in the fields, parks, and open woods, especially where cattle
are grazing, but is much less numerous in such places. It is evidently

1 Manual Inj. Insects, 1890, p. 89.

2 Journ. Econ. Biology, 1907, vol. i, pp.

36 REPORT ON INJURIOUS INSECTS FOR IQO6.

also by no means uncommon in some of our large towns, and numbers
were seen at rest on the shop fronts in the main streets. It is fond of
resting" on surfaces fully exposed to the sun, such as doors, gates, and
rails, and to a less extent on stone and brick walls. They are very active;
but their flight is quite inaudible at a short distance, the noise produced
being quite feeble. When disturbed they frequently return to the same
spot, but more especially so in favourite resting-places. At night they
retire to some sheltered spot, and numbers may be found at rest on
the beams and rafters in open sheds in farmyards, where they remain,
almost inert till the morning sun tempts them out again. They will
occasionally enter stables in the day time, and they were seen to enter
such places through a narrow opening or a crack in the door.

They frequently clean their wings when in captivity, and this is
accomplished with great precision, the legs being used for this purpose.
The under surface of the wings are first combed, then the upper, the
legs are then rubbed together, and the process is again repeated in
exactly the same order.

During the heat of the day the males preponderated : the ratio
was about three males to one female ; but towards evening the sexes
occurred in about equal numbers ; the captured females were, however,
nearly all freshly-emerged ones, and a large proportion of the eggs
which they laid in captivity proved infertile.

During a period of fourteen days a careful watch was kept on
both cattle and horses in various farmyards where the flies were com-
mon, but no flies were seen either to alight upon the animals or to suck
blood from them : at the same time several examples of both males
and females were captured which were fully engorged with blood.
Moreover, a freshly-emerged male readily sucked blood from Mr. New-
stead's hand. There is, however, no lack of authentic evidence as to
the blood-sucking habits of this fly.

Two specimens were seen to settle on fresh cow dung, and appar-
ently feed upon the moisture on it, passing the extended proboscis
rapidly over the surface ; such habits were apparently exceptional or
rarely seen in a state of nature ; but in captivity they readily fed on
the fresh faeces of the horse and sheep, more especially so on the latter.
A female was also seen to drive its proboscis into the thorax of a dead
companion, and apparently suck up the juices of its body. Three
specimens fed upon some sugar and water, and also some sucked up
the moisture from a decayed and fetid potato.

In captivity they lived several days ; but they were supplied with
an abundance of fresh air and some moist faeces. The females died
immediately, or shortly after laying their eggs.

When the female is about to lay its eggs the ovipositor becomes

THE STABLE FLY. 37

fully extended, and nearly equals the length of the abdomen proper.
The eggs are passed rapidly down the ovipositor at intervals of a few
seconds, and were usually laid in an irregular heap. In some instances
the female was seen to separate the eggs by carefully passing her pro-
boscis between them, and then drag them away or scatter them with her
legs. In cases where the eggs were laid during extremis the female
generally died on the spot, and made no attempt to scatter them.
Counts were made of seven batches, the maximum being seventy-one,
the minimum forty-eight ; the actual counts were forty-eight, forty-
eight, fifty-four, fifty-seven, fifty-nine, sixty-two, seventy-one. The
incubation period, at an average temperature of 72° F. in the day, and
65° F. at night, was two to three days.

They are especially abundant during August and September ; but
gradually diminish in numbers during the early part of October ; and
few examples are seen after a spell of cold wet weather.

The egg is coriaceous ; white at first, but changing to creamy white.
Those which are laid on faeces, fully exposed to the sun, had the
exposed portions tinged with pinkish-brown, but this colour eventually
disappeared. Form, very elongate, shaped somewhat like a banana,
being curved on one side, and almost straight on the other ; the straight
side with a broad groove, which widens at the anterior end, giving it
a spatuloid form. Surface with faint polygonal reticulations. The
larva effects its escape by splitting the broad end of the groove, leaving
it slightly raised, and apparently intact on the opposite side. Length,
I mm.

The larvae move rapidly along a smooth surface, pulling them-
selves along chiefly by means of a large mouth hook ; and proceed
practically in a straight line, moving the head rapidly, but irregularly,
from side to side, or up and down. There is, however, no regular
alternate movement of the head during progression as in muscid larvae.
Their progress through the burrows in their food is much more rapid
than on a smooth surface, and when disturbed they disappear with
extraordinary rapidity. The larval stage lasted, under favourable con-
ditions, from 14 to 21 days; but the absence of excessive moisture
and the admission of a little light materially retarded their develop-
ment, which then extended over a period of from 31 to ;8 days. The
larvae exposed to such conditions produced much smaller pupae, and
correspondingly small imagines.

Pupation is completed in about two hours. At first the larva
rapidly shortens itself, chiefly by contracting the anterior segments,
and becomes barrel-shaped. At this period it is of a creamy-white
colour, and the mouth parts of the larvae are still visible through the
soft integument. The colour rapidly changes to bright ochreous, and

38 REPORT ON INJURIOUS INSECTS FOR 1906.

in the space of two hours, or even less, the integument hardens, and
the puparium assumes its normal colour. In cases where soil was placed
below the faeces the larvae generally burrowed into the former to a
depth of about half an inch, but a few also pupated in the dryer por-
tions of the dung. Where no soil was provided the larvae generally
pupated at the bottom of the breeding cage.

A few days before the emergence of the insect the cuticle of the
puparium darkens, and eventually splits anteriorly along the lateral
and madian lines, and also transversely along the fourth segment ;
the section falls away, and the fly escapes. Prior to this the nymph
undergoes its final ecdysis, pushing its effete skin off backwards into
the posterior end of the puparium. On its emergence it appears as a
small dark-grey fly, with thick rudimentary wings of a dull leaden
colour, and a deep notch in the mid costa, below which are strong
convoluted folds. The head is much larger and wider than the thorax,
and the abdomen is attenuated.

THE PLUM SAWFLY.

Hoplocainpa julvicornis, Klug.

In the Evesham district the larvae of this fly have been the cause
of much damage and loss. Observations made during the spring of
1907 show that in Worcester and Hereford it is on the increase.

I hope to issue a full account of its life-history and suggested
remedies shortly.

THE APPLE SAWFLY.
Hoplocampa testudinea.

This is another hymenopterous insect, which, so far as I am aware,
has not previously recorded for the Midlands. During the past sea-
son it was found in an orchard in Worcestershire, but only a few trees
were attacked, and I think most of the fruit was picked off.

How long it has been in the Midlands I cannot say, for it is quite
possible that it may have been mistaken for the larvae of the Codling
Moth, from which, however, it differs by its greater number of legs.

NOTES ON OTHER INJURIOUS INSECTS.

39

GENERAL NOTES ON OTHER INJURIOUS INSECTS, ETC.

THE RASPBERRY BEETLE (By turns tomentosus, Fabr.).— Two ex-
amples of this beetle have been received from Staffordshire, where
some few years back it was fairly plentiful. Deeply burying the sur-
face soil has proved most effective, as also careful attention to burning
prunings, old canes, etc.

THE BEAN APHIS. — Considering what a plague there has been of
Aphids of all species during 1906, but very few attacks of the Bean
Aphis {Aphis rumicis, Linn.) have been reported in the Midlands, and
only one of a serious nature.

THE APPLE BLOSSOM WEEVIL (Anthonomus pomorum, Linn.).—
This pest has been received from Worcester and Hereford, but it is
nothing like so plentiful as it was a few years back. A full account
of the life-history and preventive and remedial measures is given in
my second Annual Report for 1904, p. 21.

THE WINTER MOTH (Cheimatobia brumata, Linn.). — Owing very

largely to the failure of many growers to
put grease-bands on the tree, this insect
is rapidly increasing in the Midlands, and
ere long will prove a most serious pest
to fruit-growers. (See 2nd Annual Report
FIG. 6.-i. -Male Moth. 2.— So- for 1904, p. 31, for life-history, etc.).
called wingless female.

THE GREAT YELLOW UNDERWING MOTH (Triphaena pronuba,

Linn.). — Many examples
have been received of this
all too common pest, and
reports containing reme-
dial measures have been
forwarded to the different
correspondents. In com-
mon with all species of
surface larvae, it has been
unusually plentiful during

1906.
FIG. 7. — L — Larva. 2. — Pupa. 3. — Moth.

4°

REPORT ON INJURIOUS INSECTS FOR IQoG.

FIG. 8. — i. — Female butterfly. 2. — Larva.
3.— Pupa.

THE SMALL WHITE
CABBAGE BUTTERFLY
(Pieris rapae, Linn.) — Nu-
merous examples have been
received of the larvae and
pupae of this species, the
latter especially from local
market gardeners, nursery-
men, and amateur garden-
ers.

ORCHIDS INJURED BY MILLIPEDES.— A Worcester correspondent
forwarded in December last a number of Orchid roots seriously dam-
aged by two millipedes — Polydesnms coinplanatus, Linn., and Blani-
ulus guttulatus, Bosc.

The following method has been adopted by a Warwick correspon-
dent with splendid results : — Dig out in flower beds a hole sufficiently
large to contain the fist and wrist, and fill with bran (bran saturated
with beer was thought not to give such good results), and cover with
a flower pot. After two ,or three days pour on to the bran boiling
water. The contents of two such holes were carefully counted — one
contained 2,448 dead millipedes, and the other 1,793. In both cases
there were probably two or three hundred left behind.

PLUM BARK BEETLE (Scolytus rugulosus, Ratze.).— A Warwickshire
fruit-grower forwarded early in the year numerous examples of this
beetle from a Plum tree in his orchard. As is invariably the case, the
tree was in a very poor condition, and was destroyed by burning in
the spring.

FIG. 9. —i. — Beetle magnified, line showing natural length. 2. — Larva,
natural size, and much magnified. 3.— Piece of apple branch, showing
holes in bark made by the beetle, and channels made in the wood.

APPENDIX.

APPENDIX A.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING HYDROCYANIC ACID GAS.

This, the most powerful and dangerous poison used in combating
insect pests, should on no account be used by uninstructed or careless
people.

The materials required are a 2 Ib. pot jam-jar, in which place
7 ozs. of water, to which add 4 ozs. of sulphuric acid and, as directed
below, 2 ozs. of 98 per cent, cyanide of potassium for every 1,000 cubic
feet of space.

First make the room to be fumigated as air-tight as possible,
leaving one window to open from the outside. Then wrap up the
pieces of cyanide in blotting-paper. Having placed in the jam-jar
the water and acid, place the jar just within the room- to be fumigated,
draw the door nearly to, and with the arm reach in and drop the
wrapped-up cyanide into the jar, and close the door immediately.
Strips of paper well sized should then at once be placed over the
crevices.

The room should remain closed for from two to three hours ;
then open the window from the outside, and leave until thoroughly
well ventilated. Remember the fumes and the cyanide are deadly
poison. Care should be taken that no one remains outside the door
of the room as in a passage, as some of the fumes might escape.

In conservatories, greenhouses, etc., proceed as follows : — Add the
4 ozs. of sulphuric acid to the 7 ozs. of water in a jar ; then take the
cyanide, which should be wrapped up in blotting paper, and by means
of a stick or piece of string drop it into the water from the outside
of the greenhouse. The window or door should then be shut, and the
house should remain closed for three-quarters of an hour at least, after
which time they can be opened to ventilate, but it should be remembered
that it is unsafe to enter the house until an hour or more after the win-
dows and doors have been opened. The best results have been obtained
at a temperature of 50° F., about one hour after sunset, when the
foliage is dry.1

1 Mr. G. F. Strawson informs me that he has obtained better results by pouring the
diluted acid upon the cyanide of potassium, using no blotting paper. He has also devised
and successfully used in conservatories, &c., a series of fans, consisting of boards suspended
by two cords with a string at each side. The strings to the right and left are worked
through a hole in the doors, or other woodwork.

42 REPORT ON INJURIOUS INSECTS FOR 1906.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING BISULPHIDE OF CARBON.

The fumes of this chemical, in addition to being deadly poison to
all animal life, are also highly inflammable. No light — such, for
instance, as a lighted cigar or pipe — should be brought near it, nor
should it be used where there are electric wires.

For fumigating stores it is best used in a large air-tight tin, into
which the goods are placed, and then pour the bisulphide into a saucer
placed upon the goods in the proportion of one pound (i Ib.) to every
thousand (1,000) cubic feet of space. The liquid should be poured
out quickly in order not to inhale the fumes — there is no danger in
inhaling a small quantity — and the bin closed and kept shut for at
least five hours, after which time it should be well ventilated, as also
the fumigated goods.

APPENDIX B.

For the benefit of those possessing no special knowledge of Ento-
mology, it may be well to point out that, with a few exceptions, all
insects are hatched from eggs. From the eggs, the larvae or cater-
pillars hatch out, and after a time these change into pupae or chrysa-
lides, each ultimately developing into an imago.

The Eggs. — These are exceedingly variable in shape, size, and
colour. They may be laid singly or in groups. Sometimes they are
protected by a gummy secretion, whilst others are fastened by a short
thread. The food of the young in nearly all cases determines the
place where the eggs are deposited, such, for instance, as on leaves,
close to or in roots, in blossom buds, beneath the bark of trees, on
cattle, meat or decaying animal or vegetable matter. The number of
eggs laid by a single insect may be very few or many thousands ;
fifty to a hundred, however, may be taken as an average. The period
of hatching, generally speaking, is not of long duration, though there
are cases wjiere they remain unhatched for a considerable length of
time.

The Larva. — In a few cases this is produced alive, but usually it
is hatched from an egg. The larvae of Butterflies, Moths, and Sawflies
are commonly spoken of as caterpillars, those of Beetles as grubs,
while those of Flies are known as maggots.

If a larva possesses legs, the first three segments behind the head
each carry a pair, which are jointed and known as thoracic or true
legs. Legs may also be present on the posterior segments, but these
are never jointed ; they are known as pseudopods or prole gs.

It is often very difficult to say exactly to what particular order

APPENDIX. 43

a larva belongs, but speaking in general terms, we may say that the
larvae of Butterflies and Moths exhibit the following characters : A
well-defined head provided with biting jaws, a pair of jointed limbs
on each of the first three segments behind the head, a pair of pseudo-
pods on the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth segments, and sometimes
a pair of larger anal feet on the twelfth segment, making a total of
sixteen. The " Looper " caterpillars have pseudopods on the ninth and
twelfth segments, making a total of ten. The caterpillars of a few
months are footless.

The larvae of Beetles possess a well-defined head and biting jaws,
and a pair of jointed legs on the first three segments behind the head
(Rose Chafer) or legs are entirely absent (Garden Weevil).

The larvae of Flies (Diptera) are generally legless and usually
the head is merged into the thorax ; some, however, possess pseudo-
pods and a head.

Those of the Hymenoptera (e.g., sawflies, wood wasps, etc.) have
six, eighteen, or twenty-two appendages, and in sawfly larvae the
second abdominal segment always has a pair of pseudopods ; in some
cases (wood wasps) the limbs are vestigal, while in other cases they are
absent.

The larval stage is usually the one in which the insect does the
greatest amount of damage ; they feed voraciously, the daily con-
sumption of food often exceeding many times the weight of the larva.
With a plentiful supply of food they rapidly increase in size, and,
as the chitinous skin is only capable of a limited expansion, it ulti-
mately splits, and the larva comes out with a new, and sometimes
differently-coloured skin. This process, known as moulting, usually
takes place five times, but the number is variable ; 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 1 1, 12,
and even 20, 25, and 30 moults are known in different insects. The
larva is now said to be full-fed, and it changes to a pupa or chrysalis.

The duration of the larval period is subject to much variation ;
sometimes it is only a few days, while in other cases it may last for
months or even years.

The Pupa. — The full-fed larva generally either buries itself in
the ground (Rose Chafer), forming a cell of earthy particles, or spins
a silky cocoon (Codling Moth), in which it changes to the pupal con-
dition. After a time the pupal case containing the insect cracks or
splits, and the perfect insect or imago creeps out.

The Imago. — This is the fully-formed insect, and may be de-
scribed as an animal consisting of thirteen segments, breathing by
tracheal tubes, with a single pair of feelers, and having the body
divided up into three distinct regions — head, thorax, and abdomen —
the three segments of the thorax each carrying a pair of jointed legs.

44 REPORT ON INJURIOUS INSECTS FOR 1906.

On reaching the imago stage, the pairing of the sexes is soon
effected ; the female then lays her eggs, and shortly afterwards dies,
the generation or life-cycle being thus completed. In some cases the
perfect insect only lives a few hours or days, but in others they hiber-
nate during the winter, and lay their eggs in the following spring.

Before the depredations of any particular species of insect can be
effectively dealt with, it is important that all the stages and variations
of the life-cycle should be clearly and thoroughly understood.

Ash, attacked by Ash Bark Beetle, 20 ;

Rhinoceros Beetle, 18.
Ash Bark Beetle, 20 ; remedial mea-
sures, 20.
Agrotis segetitm, 25 ; life-history, 25 ;

preventive and remedial measures,

26.

Anisopteryx aescularia, 25.
Anthonomus pomorum^ 39.
Aphides on apple trees, 14 ; on beans,

39; on plums, 14; on willow, 15.
Aphis fitch iit 14.
Aphis pomi, 14.
Aphis pruiii, 14.
Aphis rumicus, 39.
Aphis sorbi, 14.
Apple, attacked by Apple Leaf Aphis,

14; Apple Blossom Weevil, 39;

Apple Ermine Moth, 28 ; March

Moth, 25; Sawfly, 38; Vapourer

Moth, 23.

Apple Blossom Weevil, 39.
Apple Ermine Moth, 28 ; life-history, 28 ;

preventive and remedial measures,

29.

Apple Leaf Aphis, 14.
Apple Sawfly, 38.
Apple Sucker, 15.
Applications for Information, i.
Argyrethesia conjugella, 31.
Arsenate of Lead, 24.

B

Bean Aphis, 39,

Beans attacked by Aphis, 39.

Birds injurious, 2.

Bisulphide of Carbon, instructions for

using, 42.

Black Currant Mite, 9.
Black Currant Pest, A new, 30.
Blakey, J. G., cited, 30.
Blaniulus, guttulatus, 40.
Bombyx neustria, 24.
Buckton, cited, 15.
By turns tomentosus, 39.

Cabbage Gall Weevil, 21 ; life-history,
21 ; preventive and remedial mea-
sures, 22.

Cabbage Root Fly, 31 ; life-history, 31 ;
preventive and remedial measures,
32.

Carnation Fly, 32.

Carnation, attacked by Carnation
Fly, 32.

Carpocapsa pomonella, 26.

Caustic Soda-emulsion, 4 ; experiments
with, 4; growers opinions of, 10.

Cecidomyidae, 3.

Cecidomyia tritici, 34.

Ceuthorhynchus sulcicollis, 21.

Chermes abietis, 6.

Cheimatobia brumata, 39.

Cherry, attacked by a Tineid Moth, 31.

Cherry Fruit Moth, 31.

Chionaspis salicis, 6.

Codling Moth, 26.

Common Swift Moth. 23.

Common Vapourer Moth, 23.

Cryptococcus fagi, I 3.

Currant, attacked by Black Currant

Gall Mite, 9; larvae of Currant

Clearwing Moth, 22 ; larvae of Tor-

trix Moth, 30.
Currant Clearwing Moth, 22 ; preventive

and remedial measures, 22.
Curtis, John, cited, 26.

Diplosis pyrivora, 33,
Diplosis tritici, 34.

Eelworms, 2 ; 9.

Elm, attacked by larvae of March Moth,

25-
Ephestia kuehniella, 29.

Felted Beech Coccus, 13 ; remedy for, 14
Fruit Pests, 9 ; 10 ; 1 1 ; 14; 1 5 ; 22 ; 23 ;

24; 28; 30; 31; 33; 38.
Fumigating with bisulphide of carbon,

42.
Fumigating with hydrocyanic acid gas,

G

Gall-Midges, 3.

Gooseberry, attacked by Currant Clear-
wing Moth, 22.

Grease banding. Neglect of, 39.
Great Yellow Underwing Moth, 39.

H

Hawthorne Ermine Moth, 29.

Hepialus lupulinus, 23.

Hessian Fly, 3.

Heterodera radicicola, 2.

Hop Aphis, 14.

Hoplocampa fulvi<;ornis, 38.

Hoplocampa testudinea* 38.

Hornet Clearwing Moth, 22 ; life-history,
22 ; preventive and remedial mea-
sures, 23.

Hydrocyanic Acid Gas, Instruction for
using, 41.

Hylemia nigrescens, 32.

Hylesinusfraxini, 20

llyponomeuta nwlinella, 28.

Hyponomeuta padella, 29.

INDEX.

I

Injurious Birds, 2.

Insect Parasites of Insects, 3.

Insecticides, Experiments with, 4.

Introduction, i.

L

Lackey Moth, 24; life-history, 24 ; pre-
ventive and remedial measures, 25.

Large Poplar Longicorn, I 8.

Limneria tibialis, Parasitic on larvae of
Apple Ermine Moth, 28.

M

March Moth, 25.
Mediterranean Flour Moth, 29.
Mclanoxanthus salicis, I 5.
Millipedes injuring orchids, 40.
Mussel Scale, experiments on, 1054.
Myelophilus piniperda, 19.
Mytilaspis pomoruin, i o.

N

Newstead, Robt., quoted, 1 1 ; 35.

O

Oak, attacked by March Moth, 25;

Large Poplar Longicorn, i 8 ; Oak

Leaf Roller Moth, 30.
Orchids, injured by Millipedes, 40.
Orgyia antiqua, 23.
Ormerod, Miss, cited, 35.

P

Pea Midge, 3.

Pear, attacked by larvae of March Moth
25 ; Pear Midge, 33.

Permanent Apple Aphis, 14.

Phlox, attacked by larvae of Common
Swift Moth, 23.

Phorbia brassicae, 3 i.

Phorodon humuli, 14.

Pine, attacked by Pine Beetle, 19; Pine
Bud Tortrix Moth, 27 ; Pine Shoot
Tortrix Moth, 27,

Pine Beetle, i 9 ; life-history, i 9 ; pre-
ventive and remedial measures, 20.

Pine Bud Tortrix Moth, 27 ; life-history,

?7-

Pier is rapae, 40.

Pine Shoot Tortrix Moth, 27; life-
history, 27 ; preventive and remedial
measure?, 27.

Plum attacked by Plum Aphis, 14 ; Plum
Bark Beetle. 40; Sawfly, 38;
Vapourer Moth, 23.

Plum Aphis, 14.

Plum Bark Beetle, 40.

Plum Sawfly, 38.

Polydesmus complanatus, 40.

Poplar, attacked by Hornet Clearwing
Moth, 22: Large Poplar Longicorn,
18; Small Poplar Longicorn, 19.

Psylla mali, i 5.

Pulvinaria ribesii, 1 1.

Raspberry, attacked by Raspberry

Beetle, 39.

Raspberry Beetle, 39.
Rose, attacked by larvae of Common

Vapourer Moth, 23.
Rosy Apple Aphis, i 4.
" Red Maggot " in wheat, 34.
11 Red Spider," 7.

Register of Farmers and Fruit Growers, 3.
Retinia buoliana, 27.
Retinia turionana, 27.
Rhinoceros Beetle, i 8.

Sanderson, Prof. Dwight, cited, 1 4.

Saperda carcharias, i 8.

Saperda populnea, i 9.

Scale Insects, i o, 1 1, i 3.

Scolytus rugulosits, 40.

Sesia apiformis, 22.

Stsia tipulifonnis, 22.

Sinodendron cylindricum, i 8.

Slingerland, Prof. M.V., cited.

Small Poplar Longicorn, 19.

Small White Cabbage Butterfly, 40.

Sparrow destroying Moths, 30.

Sprayfluids, 4.

Spraying, cost of, i 7.

Spilonota roborana, 30.

Stable Fly, 35 ; life-history, 36.

T

Tortrix viridana, 30.
Trapping for Woodlice, 9.
Triphaena pronuba, 39.
Turnip Dart Moth, 25 ; life-history, 25 ;

preventive and remedial measures,

26.

V

Vaporite, i 8.
Vapourer Moth, 23.

W

Washburn, F. L. quoted, 3 i .

Warburton, Cecil, cited, 33.

Wasps, 2.

Weevils, 2 i .

Wheat, attacked by Wheat Midge, 34.

Wheat Midge, 34 ; life-history, 34 ; pre-
ventive and remedial measures, 35.

White Wooly Currant Scale, 1 1 ; life-
history, i i.

Woodlice, 9.

Wild Birds, 2.

Wild Grasses, damage from, 35.

Willow Aphis, i 5.

Willow, attacked by Willow Aphis, i 5.

Winter Moth, 39.

Wireworms, 18.

Z

Zophodia bella, 30.

GOLD MEDAL

Educational Cabinets

NATURAL GRASSES, WORTHLESS GRASSES, AGRICULTURAL SEEDS, &G.

PREPARED FOR USE IN

Agricultural Colleges, Museums, Schools, and by Agricultural Lecturers.

iiisiiitiiii

No. 1.

Polished Oak, glazed, Educational Cabinet, with
sun-blind, containing 24 varieties of Natural Grasses
for Permanent and Temporary Pastures, giving
popular and botanical names, soils and localities
where usually found, with analyses by Dr. Voelcker
of the Grasses in the dry and green state, and 75
glazed boxes of grass and agricultural seeds. Size,
3oin. by 3oin. Price 4Os.

No. 4.

Glazed Educational Cabinet, containing 24 varieties
of Natural Grasses for Permanent and Temporary
Pastures, giving popular and botanical names, soils
and localities where usually found, with analyses
by Dr. Voelcker of the Grasses in the dry and green
state. Size, 28in. by lyin. Price 8s. 6d.

No. 7.

Button's Composite Collection of Useful and
Useless Grasses in Japanned Vasculum, with brass
handle and fittings, containing 36 varieties of
Grasses, giving popular and botanical names, soils
and localities where usually found, with analyses
by Dr. Voelcker of the Useful Grasses, both in the
dry and green state ; also 24 screw-capped glass
bottles of Grass Seeds. Price 10s. 6d,

SUTTON <£ SONS prepare a complete series of these Cabinets, etc.,
and will gladly forward Price List on application.

PERMANENT AND TEMPORARY PASTURES.

By MARTIN J. SUTTON, F.L.S.

The "Times" says:— "The genera! arrangement of the volume is the same as heretofore, and
the book remains, and is likely to long continue to be our standard authority upon the cultivation
of grass land."

Sixth Edition, ( Illustrated with 23 beautiful plates of Natural Grasses, Clovers, &c.,
Price 5s. \ and containing 46 Analyses of Grasses, Clovers, &c., prepared

Bound in cloth. (expressly for this work by Dr. J. Augustus Voelcker.

Popular Edition, ( Including all the Chapters contained in the Sixth Edition, but
Price 1s. Paper Cover. \ omitting the Illustrations, Analyses, and Index.

SLTTON & SONS, TJgDJSSSr READING.

WIREWORM

SLUGS, GRUBS, EELWORMS, JULUS
WORMS, PHYLLOXERA VASTERTRIX

DESTROYED

The brilliant success of VAPORITE is one of the great events in the
world of Agriculture.

At ploughing time, just scatter VAPORITE broadcast; no special
implements required. Wireworms, eelworms, and all such pests are
completely destroyed.

VAPORITE dissolves into a powerful poisonous gas, penetrates the soil,
and no insect or grub can withstand it. Absolutely harmless to plant life.

Ask for Booklet No. 14 E.

56ibs., 6/6; 112 Ibs., 1O/-; £9 per ton.

SOME FACTS THAT TELL.

WHAT A FAMOUS POTATO
GROWER THINKS.

MR. T. A. SCARLETT, 22 and 23 Market
Street, Ed nburgh, says, " My land was in-
fested with Wireworm. This year I carried
through a large experiment on ground from
which the Rhubarb of five years old was
removed in January. Three years ago I
started to dig out the Rhubarb as the stools
became five years old and planted potatoes,
but they were quite riddled with worm-
holes. The following years I applied two
cwts. of VAPORITE per acre, with first-
class results to the crops."

SUCCESS GAINED THROUGH
VAPORITE.

MR. ROBERT STEWART is well known in
the Maidstone district. Writing from
Allington, he says, "I was pleased with
the results of VAPORITE upon my Hops
last winter. In the Spring I dug in round
the hills two cwts. of VAPORITE per acre
on 20 rows in the middle of the garden.
Before hop-picking, these 20 rows were far
in advance of the rest of the garden,
better grown out and more bine. I mean
to use VAPORITE for all my Hops this
winter."

DEPT.
17.

STRAWSONS (

71 A, QUEEN VICTORIA STREET,

LONDON, E.C.

SPECIAL NOTICE.

IF YOU WANT

REALLY GOOD BULBS AND SEEDS

AT MODERATE PRICES,
send to

MR. ROBERT SYDENHAM,
TENBY STREET, BIRMINGHAM.

No one will serve you better.

HIS UNIQUE LISTS.

Sent post -Tree on application,

Are acknowledged by all to be the Best, Cheapest, and mo«t Reliable ever
published. They contain only the Best

VEGETABLES, FLOWERS AND BULBS

WORTH GROWING.

Being the Selections of the Largest Seed Growers, Market Gardeners, and

the most celebrated Professional Gardeners and Amateurs in the Kingdom.

They also contain very xiseful cultural instructions.

SWEET PEAS A SPECIALITY.

No flowers give so much cut bloom at so little cost and trouble if treated aa

instructions sent with each Collection.

12 good varieties, 50 seeds of each, Is. 6d. ; 12 better varieties, 60 seeds of each,
Is. 9d. ; or the Two Collections for 2s. 6d. ; a Third Collection of the 12 best
varieties, 50 seeds of each, 2s. ; or the Three Collections, 4s. post free, and a
Packet of the four best striped varieties free of charge ; making the best
and cheapest Collection ever offered ; or little over Id. a packet.

THE BEST TOMATOES, 3d. per packet of" 2OO Seeds.
THE BEST CUCUMBERS, 6d. per packet of 1O Seeds.

THE BEST ONIONS FOR EXHIBITION.

EXCELSIOR, 6d. per packet of about 1,5OO Seeds.
AIL8A CRAIG, 6d. per packet of about 1,2OO Seeds.

Please compare these prices with what you are paying.
ALL OTHER SEEDS EQUALLY CHEAP AND GOOD.

Mr. SYDENHAM'S BULBS and SEEDS were represented
and gamed First Prizes at London, Birmingham, Cardiff,
Preston, Edinburgh, Newcastle-on-Tyne, Plymouth, Hanley,
Shrewsbury, Taunton, Wolverhampton &c., &c., for the

past twelve years. References given if required.
FULL LISTS POST FREE ON APPLICATION.

WEEDY LAWNS,

Tennis Courts,
Bowling Greens, &c.,

TR AN S FORMED

Into a perfect sward of fine, close growing
grass by

"CLIMAX LAWN SAND,"

which kills Daisies, Moss, &c., and promotes
the growth of the finer grasses. It sounds
ridiculous, yet it is a fact which has been

proved by several thousand customers.
The explanation is simple. Weeds — such
as Daisies, Plaintains, &c. — have rough,
hairy leaves, to which the fine powder
adheres and absorbs all the sap from the
plant, leaving it unable to recover. Grass,
on the other hand, does not retain any
portion of the powder on the leaves, but
allows it to fall to the roots, where the
action of the soil immediately converts it
into a valuable fertilizer. A single appli-
cation will work wonders on the most
weedy or impoverished lawn. 281bs. will
dress 100 square yards.

PRICE, Carriage P£*.id—

i4lbs., 3/6; 281bs., 6/-; 56lbs.f 11/- ; i cwt., 2O/- ;
5cwt., 9O/-

FULL PARTICULARS ON APPLICATION.

BOUNDARY CHEMICAL CO., LTD.,

LUTON STREET, LIVERPOOL.

Horticultural Requisites.

'GISHURST COMPOUND'

For preventing and destroying Red Spider, Green Fly, &c. Harmless in
use. Its soluble sulphur, &c., has for 40 years cured blights and fungus
on plants. It is also useful for washing unhealthy dogs

"GISHURSTINE"

For the protection of Boots and Shoes from damp, ensuring comfort and
health to the wearers Boots treated with Gishurstine take polish. It is
also good for use on harness.

SOFT SOAP

Specially prepared as an insecticide, including

"SOFT SOAP and Quassia." "SOFT SOAP and Paraffin."

To be obtained from all dealers in Horticultural Requisites, or Wholesale from

PRICE'S PATENT CANDLE COMPANY LIMITED,

LONDON, LIVERPOOL and MANCHESTER.

Report on the Injurious Insects
and other Animals

OBSERVED IN THE MIDLAND COUNTIES.

The First, Second, and Third Reports for the years 1903,
1904, and 1905 can only be obtained from the
Publishers, MESSRS, CORNISH BROS., LTD,, 37, New
Street, Birmingham.

JLSS\ 1

RETURN TO DESK FROM WHICH BORROWED

ENTOMOLOGY LIBRARY JT Frr*

k is due on the last date stamoed below " * Ef VV\J.

This book is ue on te ast date stamped below or

on the date to which renewed.
Renewed books are subject to immediate recall.

Read

Ton.
and

PRICES :-

In bu

C

OTI,

LD 21-100m-2,'55
(Bl39s22)476

use

ultry Keeper.

^rove,
i4th, 1907.

if your Ovary
k of condition,

LINDNER.

:.)by post, 2s. 4d,

"25s. per gallon.
:ase mention.

General Library
University of Califor

Lffl I UUi. • •• •

Berkeley

.alirorma I A I I T* I I" ^

JAl IES.

cwt. 9/-; 1 cwt. 17/6 j u
cwt. 8/-; 1 cwt. 15- 3

SMITH'S BISCUIT MEAL (50% meat),
SMITH'S DRY FED CHICK FOOD,
SMITH'S FRESH CUT GREEN BONE, \ cwt. 5> ; \ cwt. 8/6
SMITH'S PURE FLINT GRIT, 1 cwt. 4/6 ; 5 cwt. 18/6

Samples on application.

g

LEONARD SMITH & CO., Ltd,, Utility Poultry Experts,

58, Bromsgrove Street, Birmingham,

OF THE

UNIVERSITY

Of

/••»..

INSTRUMENTS

OF

ACCURACY *» PRECISION

ARE FULLY

DESCRIBED AND ILLUSTRATED

IN

SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS,

VOL. I.

THE PURE SCIENCES DEALT WITH :

Magnetism, Electricity,

Sound, Light and

Heat, etc.

CHEMICAL APPARATUS IS DEALT WITH
IN A SEPARATE VOLUME.

THE ABOVE

WILL BE FORWARDED FREE
TO

PRINCIPALS,
PROFESSORS,
SCIENCE MASTERS,

UPON APPLICATION TO : —

PHILIP HARRIS & Co., LTD.,

144-146, Edmqnd Street,

BIRMINGHAM.