426 Report of the TToRTirrLTURisT of the 



first ajiplicatiun is the most important, and should be made as 

 soon as tlic lice appear. The spray should be directed so as to 

 hit the under surfaces of the leaves. A second and third applica- 

 tion about a week apart may be necessary. 



SAW FLIES. 



(Nematus ventricosus Klug.) (Fristiphora grossidariae Walsh.) 



Description. — The first named species, which is popularly 

 known as the imported currant worm, is much more troublesome 

 than the latter, which is a native American species. The larvae 

 are the common '* worms " that attack the leaves of both the cur- 

 rant and gooseberry, often quickly denuding the bush. 



The adults are four-winged flies about the size of a house-fly. 

 Their bodies are prominently marked with yellow. They appear 

 during the first warm days of spring and deposit their eggs in 

 single rows on the under sides of the midribs and larger veins. 



The e2,gs hatch in about ten davs. The newlv hatched larvae 

 are light areen in color. At first thev eat small holes throush the 

 leaves, but as they grow larger, devour the entire leaf with the 

 exception of the midrib and larger veins. Their color changes 

 with successive molts until, when about full grown and before 

 the last molt, they are a moderately dark green color, marked 

 with numerous black dots. After the last molt they are plain 

 green. When full grown, which is in about three weeks, they 

 measure about three-fourths of an inch in length. The cocoons 

 are formed either just above or a short distance below the sur- 

 face of the ground, attached to the plant. The adults escape late 

 in June or early in July. Eggs are soon deposited for a second 

 brood, which passes to the chrysalis stage before winter sets in. 



Treatment. — As soon as the " worms " appear spray the bushes 

 with hellebore, one ounce to two gallons of water. Direct the 

 spray toward the under sides of the leaves. It is important to 

 make the first application while the '" worms " are yet very young. 



