i9i>;.] 29 



ASPIDIOTUS HEDERAE ValJot. 



This species (pei'haps better known as A. nerii) is a common 

 greenhouse pest throughout the Bi'itish Isles, infesting more particu- 

 larly various kinds of Palms, Dracaena, Citrus, and Oleander. It is a 

 sub-tropical species and is usually considered to be unable to with- 

 stand the winter in more northern countries. In April last, I received 

 examples of this species from Torquay, where they were foimd to be 

 infesting the foliage of Aucuha growing in the open. The leaves were 

 thickly covered with the male puparia of the insect, amongst which 

 were a few dead females. I thought it probable that they had infected 

 the plant during the previous siunmer but had failed to survive the 

 winter. But fresh material from the same locality (received early in 

 November) inckided a considerable number of living females. It is 

 evident, therefore, that the insect can — under favourable conditions — 

 become established in this country. In warmer climates the insect is 

 more or less omnivorous, so it is unlikely to confine its attentions to 

 Auctiba here. It should accordingly be regai'ded (and treated) as a 

 pest of some importance. 



My correspondent informs me that " this shrub (Aucuha japonica) 

 forms part of a tall hedge in a protected position in the garden. The 

 shrub is from 7 to 8 feet high, by about 3 feet wide, and over 90 per 

 cent, of its leaves and branches have withered under the attack of 

 the pest." 



ASPIDIOTUS OSTREAEFORMIS Curt. 



Mr. Fryer has sent me examples of As}). ostreaeformis, found on 

 the stems and branches of young poplars at Farnham. Most of the 

 insects are in the second or nymphal stage, at which period they 

 may be readily mistaken for young adults of the notorious Aspidiotus 

 perniciosus. They also bear a very close resemblance to Aspidiotus 

 transcaspieiisis, described by Marlatt, from material, " on old dried 

 poplar bark from Transcaspian Russia." 



Mytilaspis fictjs Sign. 



I recorded, last year, the presence of male puparia of this species 

 on the young twigs of edible fig, at Wisley, Surrey. On visiting the 

 plant houses at Wisley, in September last, I found living male puparia 

 in countless numbers on the foliage and fruit of the figs. Adult males 

 emerged during the following mouth. 



