INSECTS INJURIOUS TO HOUSE PLANTS, ETC. 503 



The unwelcome discovery of Mr. Siitfcle, in regard to the Termes favipes, is 

 no new role, for though I can find no previous mention of such attacks in this 

 country, and Professor Beal tells me that in none of his works on greenhouse 

 enemies is the white ant noticed, yet I find that Koller describes just such 

 attacks in the greenhouses of Schonbrunn, Germany, of this same insect intro- 

 duced from the United States. 



Mr. Suttle wishes advice as to a cure. It seems carbolic acid soap, or cresy- 

 lic soap is effectual if frequently applied. Kerosene oil, solutions of camphor, 

 and turpentine would be more penetrating if placed on the shelves, and would 

 doubtless dispatch the enemy ; and, I think, with sufficient care would be 

 harmless to the plants. I have killed our common ants, when troublesome 

 around my bee-hives, with Paris Green mixed with syrup. I do not know 

 whether or no the white ants could be induced to try such a diet. By placing 

 some under the pots it would be easy to determine. 



These same insects have long been a plague in the plant houses of Schon- 

 brunn, yet I believe have not spread much. It is to be hoped that they will 

 not continue long in this new role in our country at Grand Eapids, and cer- 

 tainly that they will not carry this new habit to adjacent towns and cities. 



The Red Spidek. — Tetranyclius telarius Linn — Family Troinbididce — Order 

 Arachnida. — Before closing this paper, I desire to speak of the little red spider, 

 which is not only a true mite, but truly a mite of a thing. This does not 

 belong to the order of insects, but is classed with the spiders or arachnids. 

 These inconspicuous little creatures, though easily destroyed, often do mighty 

 mischief, and being so insignificant, are quite I'requjently entirely unobserved. 

 For, resting as they do, on the under side of the leaves, it requires the closest 

 scrutiny to see them at all, without the aid of a magnifier. The red spider is 

 light yellow, with two lateral red specks upon the back. The female is larger, 

 and bright chestnut in color. In common with all spiders it has, when mature, 

 eight legs. Dampness is very inimical to the well-being of these pests, hence 

 they only flourish in the dry, hot air of conservatories, or, in a very dry time, 

 on the roses and evergreens which adorn our parks and gardens. Occasionally, 

 too, they infest window plants, though I think this is not very frequent. 



Remedies. — A very damp atmosphere has long been known to be very 

 destructive to these noxious mites. Hence the subjecting of conservatory or 

 window plants to extreme humidity, or frequently dipping the plants into 

 tepid water, will frequently be all that is required to banish them from our 

 floral treasures. On evergreens and other out-door plants, which are so often 

 attacked during severe and protracted droughts, frequent drenching, or better 

 syringing with a garden engine, forcing the water from below with consider- 

 able power, will prove very beneficial, if not entirely effective. 



Some of us may remember with much satisfaction, how that the seven years' 

 sojourn of another mite, — a near congener of the one under discussion, was hap- 

 pily cut short, by a free use of sulphur, and we freed of the itching desire to be 

 free ; whether or no this wholesome practice to rid us, of a disgusting human 

 parasite, suggested the same to free us of the green-house pest, I know not, but 

 true it is, that sulphur has long been esteemed as the most sure and perfect 

 destroyer of the red spider. 



Flower of sulphur is what is most used. This may be sprinkled on the 

 plants, or rubbed on the heated flues. Of late it has been recommended, by 

 Kivers, and other skillful gardeners of England, to put water on a bucket of 

 lime, and sprinkle on sulphur, though care should be taken, as some by using 



