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9. — J^OTES FOE ObSERYATIOXS OF INJURIOUS InSECTS. 



By Eleanor A. Ormerod, F.M.S. 



Commuuicated by J. Hopkinson, Hon. Sec. 



[Read 9th May, 1878.] 



A SERIES of observations in relation to insect ravages on the 

 crops used as food is much to be desired, not only for scientific 

 purposes, but also with a view to diminish the yearly losses to the 

 country. Of these losses, telling heavily year by year both on the 

 individual growers and the country at large, many would be remedi- 

 able by more attention being directed to the subject; and many 

 would probably be found to be so, if reliable information could be 

 procured as to the ciz'cumstances affecting or coinciding with 

 them It is with this object that the assistance of their observa- 

 tions is now begged from Agriculturists and Entomologists, who 

 practically and scientifically are both interested and can aid 

 much in the matter, the information obtained to be condensed and 

 forwarded to the observers in a printed Report. 



The points chiefly to be noted are the jiresence of mrroimdings, 

 such as plants, or shelter, suitable for the food or protection of 

 the noxious insects ; agricultural conditions, such as the drainage, 

 the nature of the soil and manures, and that of the preceding 

 crop on the ground, the amount of weed serving as insect food in 

 the crop or growing near ; and also the state of the toeather. 



It is observable that wet is injurious (generally speaking) to 

 insects, and that drought, when not too prolonged, is favourable. 

 How far these various conditions affect the amount of insect appear- 

 ance is one of the objects sought to be ascertained by the observa- 

 tions proposed. 



The observations on the insects under the head of "general 

 remarks" should give the date of their appearance as laiwaj ; 

 numbers, comparatively, to those in previous years ; and also date 

 and quantity of appearance, and date of disappearance, in the 

 perfect state, with amount of injury to crop. 



These various entries, though looking formidable in description, 

 would take but a short time to enter on the columned sheet, '^'•' and 

 would frequently be merely the observation of an ordinarily at- 

 tentive natui-alist in his daily walks, whilst the information they 

 would give wcnild be of solid value. Of course any additions to 

 the list of objects, or additional information beyond the points 

 noted, would add to the value of the return. It is jJarticularly 

 requested that observers will use the number and name given in 

 the list in making their records, and will be good enough, in all the 

 observations, to use the scientific name of the insect, the use of 



* A copy of this sheet will be forwarded to any member on application to the 

 Honorary Secretary. 



