i6o Second Repay t on Economic Zoology. 



The Vine Weevil in Ferns and other Pot Plants. 



Some insects sent l)y a correspondent from Forest Gate, E., that 

 were attacking pot plants and ferns just below the surface of the 

 ground, were the so-called Vine or Black Weevil (Otiorhynclius 

 sulcatns). This and allied pests are dealt with in Leaflet No. 2 

 (revised). 



The best way to destroy weevil and other maggots on the roots of 

 ]iot plants is to water tlie plants with tlie following mixture : — One 

 quart of soft soap dissolved in one gallon of boiling soft water, to 

 which add one pint of crude carbolic acid. Mix the whole by 

 means of a force pump into an emulsion. This will keep some time 

 if bottled off and kept air-tight. When used add thirty times the 

 amount of water to each part of the emulsion. 



It is best to slightly remove tlie earth round the roots before 

 watering with this mixture. The emulsion may become semi-solid, 

 if so dissolve in some warm water first. 



This has been found most successful in treating weevil and fly 

 larvai attacking roots of plants, and is better than the use of crude 

 carbolic acid and water alone. 



The Rose Aphis. 



(ISijfhoiwjjhora rosR\ Eeaumur). 



Tlie Eose Aphis is an annual pest all over Great Britain, and is 

 frequently enquired after. It was very harmful in 19U3. 



The Eose Aphis infests several kinds of wild and all cultivated 

 roses. It is subject to great variation in colour and form and shows 

 undoubtedly dimorphism. A distinct variety exists called variety 

 (jlauca, Buckton ; both type and variety readily mix together. 



The apterous viviparous female is shining green or ferruginous 

 red, with very long curved black cornicles ; legs yellowish-gicen with 

 black knees, and tarsi and the eyes deep red. 



A very distinct red variety exists, particularly in the autumn. 

 The apterous viviparous female may live in the open right through 

 the winter, even when snow is on the ground. The lice or larva-, 

 jn-oduced by these iemales every now and then give rise to pupte, 

 which are reddish green above, with brown wing-cases and four spots 

 on the lateral edges. The winged viviparous females seem to appear 

 both in winter and summer ; in the open air they are green with 



