1885.] THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 57 



Vitellinoe, which had then lately made its appearance in extensive 

 willow beds at Lymm, Cheshire, and was becoming so alarming a 

 nuisance there in its inroads on the osier beds as to call for unusual 

 exertions to withstand it, and information as to what could be done 

 to extirpate the pest was asked in behalf of the growers of the 

 locality. 



On the 28th, Mr. Melvill further mentioned that every day the 

 ravages of the insect were extending, and they were heiivj carted 

 avmy in bushels. Paraffin was then being used, and " apparently 

 with some success." Tlie following note regarding the widespread 

 nature of the attack was forwarded : — 



" For some weeks past the willow growers in Lymm, Statham, 

 Thelwell, and other places in Cheshire, have been troubled by the 

 appearance among their willow beds (some of which are extensive 

 and very valuable) of numbers of beetles which tin-eaten to destroy 

 all the willows in the neiglibourhood, unless the means that are no-w 

 being tried prove effectual. A meeting was held at Lymm for the 

 purpose of considering the best means of exterminating the pest, and 

 a resolution was carried which pledged the growers present to con- 

 tinue the use of paraffin oil, with the object of catching the beetles. 

 By this means one grower has caught some millions in one day, and 

 it is believed if this course is followed up the crops will be saved." 



On the 29th of ^lay, j\Ir. H. Cameron, writing from Lymm, 

 Cheshire, informed me that the willow growers in that district, who 

 were suffering from this insect scourge, had formed themselves into a 

 society for mutual protection and interchange of experience. Of this 

 society Mr. Cameron was the chairman. He informed me that — 



" The remedies hitherto tried (Ijut so far witli little success) are 

 dusting the young shoots with hellebore powder, soot, sulphur, lime, 

 and spent gas-lime. The i^lan noio adopted is to Jutnd-jnck, or rather 

 shahe off, the insects into small vessels containing a small quantity of 

 paraffin oil. This plan has been steadily carried on by many of the 

 willow growers during the last fortnight iiAth marked, success ; but 

 unfortunately a few people take little or no notice, and I fear these 

 neglected lots will pollute the surroundings. 



" I am disposed to believe that Paris-green, which you recom- 

 mend, would be a likely cure." [On trial (as noted subsequently) 

 this application proved useful. — Ed.] 



On the 31st of May, Mr. Cameron further informed me that at a 

 meeting held the previous evening most of the gentlemen present 

 reported a great diminution in the number of the beetles, but that 

 he found, on going over the willow beds before writing, that there 

 were still great numbers left. 



Pielative to the sheltering of the beetles during winter under 



E 



