Thk Currant-Stem Girdler. 43 



known that the author of this girdling was the insect described 

 by Dr. Fitch in 1862.* 



In 1886, the work of the insect was seen on currants at Adrian, 

 Mich. In 1887, Dr. Lintner obtained specimens of injured tips 

 from several gardens in the vicinity of Albany, N. Y., and some 

 were sent to him from Macedon, Wayne Co., N. Y.; it was also 

 known to occur in Canada as early as 1887. In 1891, girdled 

 tips were found at South Byron and Chatham, N. Y. Professor 

 Claypole recorded in 1892 that he had observed the work of the 

 insect for several years at Akron, O. It attracted attention at 

 Centreville, R. I., in 1892, and in 1894 the insect was quite nu- 

 merous there, and also in different parts of Massachusetts. Our 

 notes show that in 1895 considerable damage was done by the 

 insect at South Easton, N. Y.; specimens were also sent to Dr. 

 Lintner from Corning, N. Y. 



Its Distribution and Destructiveness. 



The above historical notes show that this currant stem-girdler 

 was first found in Massachusetts and has since been recorded in 

 Rhode Island, New York, Canada, Ohio and Michigan. It is 

 quite widely distributed over New York state. 



As will be shown in our discussion of the life-history of the 

 pest, it is capable of doing much damage to currant bushes. 

 Thus far, however, its ravages have been confined to limited 

 localities. We have no definite data in regard to the extent of 

 its ravages. It has attacked the Cherry and Fay's Prolific 

 currant, and the black currant. Doubtless the insect has no 

 choice of varieties. It probably breeds freely on the wild cur- 

 rants from which it has recently turned its attention to the cul- 

 tivated varieties. 



Indications of the Presence of the Insect. 

 Observant currant growers will have no trouble in determining 



*In 1887, many currant tips were girdled in the vicinity of Albany, X. Y., 

 and in 1888, Dr. Lintner published an account of the work of this then un- 

 known insect. In December, 1890, Mr. AUis, Adrian, Mich., wrote to Dr. 

 Riley thac he had bred in 1887 one pair of the insects which had been gird- 

 ling his currant tips as described by Dr. Lintner ; in 18S9 he raised another 

 adult which was sent to Dr. Riley to name. Dr. Riley replied that the insect 

 was without doubt Vitch' & Janus flaviventris. 



