Big Btid Mite and Hover Flies. 79 



diseased leaves in July, not later, and wash the trees frequently in 

 early spring and autumn with liver of sulphur wash — that is paraffin 

 emulsion and liver of sulphur. Dr. Nalepa informs me the mites 

 winter in the buds. 



The *'Big Bud" Mite. 



{Eriophyes ribis, Nalepa.) 



A correspondent from near Tewkesbury wrote as follows : " A 

 dealer has offered me 6,000 black currants (Baldwin's), but they 

 contained a lot of swollen buds like the enclosed. I want to know 

 if they are infested with Gall Mites, if so whether it would be safe 

 to plant them." The following reply was sent : " The black currant 

 buds you send are badly infested with the Currant Bud Mite 

 (^Eriophyes {Phytiyptus) ribis). This mite is perhaps more prevalent 

 in the Baldwin currant than in any other variety, but the only kind 

 I have never seen attacked is the old cottage-garden one, that is so 

 prevalent in Kent, a light cropper, however." 



" It is most unwise to have any infested plants, however cheap. 

 It is really quite useless attempting black currant growing with the 

 ' big bud ' pest in the plantations, as at present there is no known 

 remedy for it. It is most essential to be successful to start on land 

 new to black currants and with clean stock." 



Hover Flies {SyrjMdce: Aphis Feeders). 



A number of enquiries have been made this season (1902) con- 

 cerning the leech-like larvre of the Hover Flies (Syrphidce). The 

 following note was sent to Mr. Bear, of Hailsham, in answer to an 

 enquiry as to the nature of these larvse : — 



The three larvje you send feeding on the Apple Aphis are those of one 

 of the Hover Flies {Si/rphidrr.) Catabomha pijrastri, Linn. They are most 

 beneficial, being ravenous Aphis feeders attacking aU kinds of " Dolphins." 



There are a good many species, sufficiently abundant to do a great dea] 

 in keeping Aphis in check, but unfortunately they come rather late and 

 much harm is often done by the Aphides before they make their presence 

 felt. Syrphus ribesil, Linn., and S. grossulariae, Meig., seem to be the 

 most abundant after the one you send. 



These three species were sent from widely different localities. 



