61 



very real. No make believe or fanciful remedies gain the stated formal approval of 

 a body of experienced fruit-growers whose returns depend on the treatment of their 

 crops. 



This year we have been working up for one thing, the Raspberry Beetle, Byturus 

 tomentosus. Fab., which Mr. 0. D. Wise finds at the Toddington fruit grounds may b© 

 best got rid of by shaking down into bags moistened or sprinkled with paraffin. 



The Raspberry Bug Caterpillar of the Lampronia ricbiella, Bjerk., has also been 

 greatly troubling raspberry growers by its injury to the young buds and sometimes in 

 the canes. We hope by gathering the infested buds or neighbouring bunches of leaves in 

 which the larva has pupated, and destroying these, to have forestalled much recurrence of 

 next year's attack. 



Plum Saw-fly has also made a slight, and Apple Saw-fly a very decidedly injurious 

 appearance. I conjecture that the similarity (to general inspection) of the attack of the 

 latter to that of the Codling Moth Caterpillar has caused it not to be generally noticed 

 before, and I hope to be able to add some notes on the changes in appearance of the larvae. 

 In all respects of habits and appearance preceding pupation this Saw-fly larva agrees with 

 such descriptions as I have access to of that of the Tenthredo testudinea, Klug {^^lloplo- 

 campa testudinea^ Klug), but previously I find that instead of the head being tawny or 

 pale chestnut, and little trace of colour above the caudal extremity, that the head is pitchy 

 black, and there is also a pitchy black plate above the tail preceded by a cross band and 

 a few small markings also pitchy or black. 



We have traced this change by the observer (Mr. Wm. Coleman, of Cranfield, Beds.) 

 watching specimens for me in natural conditions through their transformations. I think 

 that if this change has not been noted it will be of serviceable interest to record it, as on 

 first glance the variously marked larvje appear to be of different species. 



For prevention of recurrence of this attack I am suggesting lightly shaking infested 

 trees over cloths sprinkled with some mineral oil, so that the caterpillars which are very 

 fairly active should not escape. Plum Saw-fly has been only reported from one locality. 



The bud-galls on Black Currant caused by the Phytoptus ribis or Black Currant Gall 

 Mite have been present to a seriously destructive extent. We know of no rem^dy for 

 this attack excepting use of soft soap and sulphur wash, or, as a preventive of spread, 

 breaking off the bud-galls. We, however, have found this year that parasites are at 

 work in the persons of Chalcids, which we have not yet identified specifically, and from 

 some small amount of further observation I venture to hope that we may find a dipterous 

 larva is also aiding us in preventive service. 



I fear these simple matters may not be worth your attention, but I just mention 

 them as a part of the work to which our fruit growers are giving careful attention. 



The field crop insects pests have been very prevalent this year, and at this time we 

 have just begun a heavy visitation at three places in the east of England of the larvae of 

 the Plutella cmciferarum, Zell (Diamond-back Moth as we call it). But I ought not to 

 venture to intrude on your time more than with just two further observations. 



One, that I find the distorted growth of heads of Tares (Yicia sativa) which I drew 

 attention to in my fourteenth report is originated by the presence of Oecidomyiid larvae. 

 I found them present in large numbers, and have carefully figured the head and caudal 

 extremity and likewise the anchor process, which agrees so minutely with that of 

 Cecidomyia leguminicola,Lmtner, that I am looking forward with impatience to the devel- 

 opment of the imago. My special colleague in observation of this attack (Mr. A. Ham- 

 lin ot Chellovves Park, Lingfield), has planned an arrangement in the open field by which 

 the imagos when they rise from the soil will (according to all ordinary habits of insect 

 procedure) be safely trapped conveniently for examination. I am sparing no pains also 

 myself to develop the imagos, though I have not the opportunity to attempt to rear the 

 larvae in absolutely natural and undisturbed circumstances. 



My other observation is regarding the Ilypoderma bovis, the Warble Fly. We are 

 still fighting ignorance and idleness and downwright knavery, which are the supports of 



