A/D. Imms 225 



large size of the parasites, compared with the size of the host, it was 

 found that the parasites did not readily issue through a mesh which, at the 

 same time, was small enough to imprison the host weevils. The method 

 of collecting the affected blossoms followed by the burning of the same, 

 is open to a good deal of doubt as to its advisability on account of the 

 large number of beneficial parasites which are destroyed at the same time. 



11. REMARKS ON OTHER PARASITES OF ANTHONOMUS POMORUM. 



A useful summary of hymenopterous parasites recorded from this 

 host is given by Elliott and Morley (1907 and 1911) and further records 

 are quoted by Catoni (1912). Several of the statements, however, are of 

 doubtful value as they probably refer to parasites of Aphids and other 

 insects and have no closer connection with Anthonomus than the fact 

 that the host food-plant was apple in each case. Among these doubtful 

 records may be included Apanteles [Microgasfer) albipennis Nees, Bracon 

 variator Nees, Asaphes vulgaris Walk. {Chrysolampus aeneus Ratz.), 

 Encyrtus flavomaculatus Ratz. and Pterofnalus (Habrocytus) saxesenii 

 Ratz. (Thoms.). Brischke, however, has bred Pimpla exatninator Fab., 

 P. sagax Htg., and Ajmnteles (Microgaster) lacteus Nees from this host. 

 Apanteles {Microgaster) impurus Nees was frequently bred by Reissig 

 from apple blossom infested by the weevil and has also been reared by 

 Catoni. According to Ratzeberg (1848, p. 84), Nordlinger bred a single 

 male of Campojjlex latus Ratz., and it is stated that Goureau has bred 

 Pimpla gramineUae Grav. from the same host. Catoni (1912, p. 149) has 

 also bred Meteorus ictericus (Nees) and Habrocytus fasciatus Thoms. 



During this investigation Pimpla pomorum was the only parasite 

 which I bred from the Anthonomus. Whether or not any of the above 

 species are likely to prove of value from the economic point of view is 

 doubtful. Males of Pimpla examinator are common in this country though 

 no certain records of the female appear to be known. P. sagax has not 

 often been met with while, according to Morley, there are but few reliable 

 records of P. gramineUae. 



The species of Apanteles are well-known natural enemies of Lepi- 

 doptera and the extent to which they may parasitise insects of other 

 orders requires fuller investigation before we are able to formulate definite 

 conclusions with regard to their economic significance. 



12. SIBOIARY OF GENERAL CONCLUSIONS. 



1. Pimpla pomorum Ratz., in its larval stage, is an ecto-parasite of 

 the Apple Blossom Weevil [Anthonomus pomorum) attacking both larvae 

 and pupae of the latter. 



