392 Notes 



apparently gone here and also under the spruces in order to shelter 

 from the sun. Some of the insects were feeding on a thistle under 

 the spruces. 



Leaves of cabbage and rhubarb were put down and on lifting them 

 a few hours afterwards they were found to be entirely covered with 

 the insects on the lower surface, as also were the leaves of the Abele 

 Poplar which had blown from the tree. 



The insects usually feed on the lower surface of the leaves at least 

 in the sunlight. A few were found on the upper surface and on the 

 edges. Many young plants were eaten off just above the ground 

 level, i.e. through the portion of the stem below the seed leaves. On 

 others (which were not eaten through) were obvious marks caused 

 by the feeding of the beetles. Some of the leaves were damaged by 

 having large holes eaten out of them and in others large pieces were 

 eaten out of the sides of the leaves. They had eaten large holes through 

 some of the cabbage and rhubarb leaves put down to trap them. 



The damage was first noticed on May 13th and on May 14th 75 

 bushels of soot was spread over the attacked area measuring about 

 two acres. This was followed by the application of 30 bushels of lime 

 on May 15th. On May 16th a large number of the beetles were found 

 dead. On June 17th large numbers of dead beetles were present 

 over the attacked area whereas only an occasional live one was found. 

 Cabbage leaves were put down on June 17th and on examining these 

 only three beetles were found. The lime and soot seems to have 

 been very successful in keeping down further attacks of this beetle. 



In Fowler's British Coleoptera the following is given as the habitat 

 of this beetle: "Sandy places; in moss, etc.; very local and, as a 

 rule, rare, but occasionally in profusion." 



It was thought from this that possibly the beetle was introduced 

 by means of peat-moss manure, but on inquiry it was found that no 

 straw manure was used. 



I can give no explanation as regards the introduction of this beetle 

 into the nursery which is otherwise comparatively free from insects, 



F. R. PETHERBRIDGE, 



Cambridge University. 



