142 



HOP. 



This attack has been considered to follow peculiar atmos- 

 pheric conditions, and its severe occurrence at Walthamstow 

 above noted was after heat and drought, which is generally 

 favourable to Eed Spider. 



Hop Wireworm. Larva of Striped Click-beetle. 



Aijriotes llneatus, Linn. 



Striped Click-beetle and larva (Wireworm), nat. size and magnified. 



This species of Wireworm is the grub of the Striped Click- 

 beetle, an exceedingly common kind, which is often to be found 

 on grass, in hedges, cornfields, &c. It is stated by Bouche that 

 the Wireworm of this kind (the A. lineatus) is sometimes to be 

 found in great multitudes in dung, and in vegetable earth. 



For life-history of "Wireworms," see this head amongst 

 Corn-insects. 



Pkevention and Kemedies. — Wireworms are frequently very 

 injurious to fresh-planted Hop-sets, especially upon recently 

 broken-up pasture-land, eating off the tiny shoots directly they 

 appear, and sucking the juices from the hearts of the sets. 

 It sometimes happens that a large percentage of the sets die 

 in consequence, and have to be replaced, involving great 

 expense to the planter, as well as the loss of a year. The best 

 and most sure way of getting rid of the Wireworm when at 

 work on the Hop-plants is stated by Mr. Whitehead to be to 

 put small pieces of Mangolds, Potatoes, Carrots, or Swede 

 Turnips, or small pieces of Eape-cake two or three inches 

 below the ground, close round the Hop-hills. These should be 

 looked at twice-a-week, and the Wireworms which have eaten 

 their way into them should be taken out and destroyed. As 

 many as one hundred and fifty Wireworms have thus been 

 trapped close to one Hop-hill. — (C. W.) 



As these Wireworms, if once in possession, will live on in 

 the same ground for several years (it is said five years), eating 



