240 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



On the occurrence of Corophium afflne, JBruzcltus, in Loch 

 Fyne. Quite recently, when examining a small gathering of Crusta- 

 cea collected at Tarbert Bank near East Loch Tarbert, Loch Fyne, 

 in March last year but not examined till now, I obtained a single 

 male specimen of Corophium affine. There does not appear to be 

 any previous record of this Amphipod for the Clyde district. It 

 seems to have a moderately wide distribution around the Scottish 

 coasts, as Dr. Norman has recorded it from Shetland, and I have 

 obtained it both in the Firth of Forth and the Moray Firth. It seems, 

 however, to be a rare Amphipod : I seldom find more than one or 

 two specimens at a time. The species is quite a distinct one. The 

 structure of the second antennse in the male is characteristic, and so 

 are the last pair of uropoda, which are very slender. It cannot be 

 mistaken for any one of the other three British species of Coro- 

 phium. T. SCOTT, Leith. 



Sirex gigas, Z., in Argyleshire. My friend Dr. J. S. Stewart 

 of Edinburgh, who has been spending a holiday at Glendaruel, 

 Argyleshire, has sent for my inspection a female specimen of this 

 handsome insect which he found on the woodwork of his door- 

 way there on i4th August. I do not know whether the species 

 has previously been noticed in the county. WILLIAM EVANS, 

 Edinburgh. 



Noxious Insects in the Solway District. The present has been 

 one of the worst seasons for many years in the undue prevalence of 

 injurious insects. These have been further most remarkable in 

 that, with few exceptions, they were species not often noticed to 

 such an extent as to be hurtful. The Corn Grub or larvaa of the 

 " Daddy-long-legs " Fly were complained of in many quarters, and 

 the "Turnip Fly" (which is, however, not a "fly" but a beetle) was 

 also prevalent to a very serious extent. Both are old familiar 

 enemies. But a new foe, Schizoneura fitliginosa, a dirty, sooty- 

 coloured Aphide, has done immense damage to young plantations 

 of fir trees, covering the twigs and young shoots in vast numbers. 

 A Scale Insect that I have been unable to find a name for amongst 

 those who specially study the class, has been met with everywhere 

 in countless hordes on laurel bushes, sucking the life sap of the 

 plants, and covering the foliage with masses of black frass. Then 

 arboriculturists have had much reason to ban the Pine Weevil and 

 its doings. The grubs or larvae of this insect have done very great 

 damage to the roots of young pine trees. Feeding underground, 

 these grubs cannot be got at with the usual insecticides, and have 

 just to be allowed to proceed with their ravages at their own sweet 

 will. The most casual observer must have seen during the hot dry 

 mornings that have prevailed of late, the wet, stained, and sticky 

 appearance of the ground under lime trees. This is the dripping 

 of " honeydew " from Aphis tilicz, the Greenfly of the lime tree, which 



