144 PEAR. 



(similarly) we know to be good for plant growth, and injurious 

 to at least some kinds of insect life. 



Green " Leaf Weevil. PJnjUoblus maculicornis, Germ. 



These little weevils are of a very similar size and shape 

 (see figure, p. 141) to P. ohlongus, mentioned above; but, 

 instead of being of some shade of brown and covered with 

 grey down, they are covered with bluish, or golden yellow, or 

 greenish scales. The length of the beetles is about one-sixth 

 of an inch, and the colour beneath the greenish scales is 

 black; the wing-cases "with very short hairs scarcely pro- 

 jecting beyond scales " ; horns mostly yellow red, with club 

 black; legs black, with tip of shanks and feet brownish. 



The following notes, sent me on the 16th May, 1888, by Mr. 

 Arthur Eayfield, regarding the prevalence of this attack on 

 the orchards of the late Mr. Faunce de Laune, at Sharsted 

 Court, near Sittingbourne, Kent, show the persistence of the 

 attack, the large area over which it extended, the variety of 

 kinds of orchard and other trees infested, and also some 

 amount of benefit by remedial treatment : — 



"I herewith enclose some specimens of a green insect that 

 I have observed on Mr. Faunce de Laune's fruit trees for 

 three or four years past. They come in larger numbers each 

 succeeding year, besides spreading over a larger area. I 

 notice this spring that they first made their appearance about 

 the 20th of this month. I have succeeded in catching a 

 considerable quantity by shaking the trees (standards), and 

 holding a tarred cloth beneath, on which they fall and stick, 

 until some fresh tar is put on ; but it is impossible to get rid 

 of them in this way, as they swarm over several hundred 

 acres, settling on fruit trees, — Cherries, Plums, Apples, and 

 Nuts, — besides nearly all other kinds of trees and bushes, 

 such as Thorns, Sloes, and even Firs. They appear to live 

 on the leaves of what trees they alight on, but prefer those 

 that have been newly planted. They take advantage of any 

 shelter, and prefer the south side, in the sun, and out of the 

 cold winds." 



On June 1st, Mr. Eayfield wrote further that he had 

 succeeded in catching great numbers of the leaf weevils " but 

 there yet remain huge quantities. We are most successful 

 in catching them in the morning and evening, when it is dull 

 and not too much wind. They collect in larger numbers in 

 sheltered places, but when disturbed by a sudden jar, while 

 the sun is shining brightly, and in a warm temperature, some 



