'1 



460 



The moths exist wherever larch is grown, but are only destructive 

 in localities not suited to the tree. The pest is therefore best controlled 

 by restricting the tree to favourable localities. No treatment can be 

 as yet suggested for an extensive attack, but where only a few trees 

 are injured, the dead branches can be removed and burned. 



Pethybridge (Gr. H.). Investigations on Potato Diseases. (Sixth 

 Report). — Jl. Deft. Agric. and Technical histructionfor Ireland, 

 Dublin, XV, no. 3, April 1915, pp. 491-526, 16 figs. 



The most important insect pests of potatoes in Ireland, are the 

 potato flea-beetle, [? Phyllotreta affinis, Payk.], the frosted orange moth, 

 Xanthoecia flavago {Gortyna ochracea), and the rosy rustic moth, 

 Hydroecia micacea. The last-named species was observed in 1914 ; 

 the larvae burrow out the central portion of the potato stalk. 



County Horticultural Instructor. Home Correspondence. — Gardeners^ 

 Chron., London, Ivii, no. 1476, 10th April 1915, p. 200. 



It has been proved by numerous experiments in the Isle of Wight, 

 where cHmatic conditions favour both insect and fimgus pests and 

 render the buds fairly plump and the bark deUcate, that alkali washes 

 are beneficial, provided that their action is modified by the addition 

 of 4 oz. or I pint of paraffin jelly to every gallon. The effect of the 

 caustic washes is thus minimised, and bark and buds are uninjured. 

 Annual spraying with weak mixtures is preferable to occasional 

 spraying with stronger ones. Apple trees were successfully treated 

 as late as 25th March and peach and nectarine trees on 15th March, 

 when the buds were showing colour. 



Edwards (J.). Bmchus objectus. Say, In Britain. — Entom. Mtlily. 

 Mag., London, li, no. 4, April 1915, pp. 140-142. 



Specimens of Bruchus objectus have been found feeding in dwarf 

 bean seeds. This species was received under the name B. lentis, Boh., 

 but seems inseparable from the north and central American species, 

 B. obsloetus. Say. 



Wadsworth (J. T.). Note on an Anthomyid Fly, Phaonia {Hyeto- 

 desia) trimacidata, Bouch6, new to the British List. — Entom. 

 MtJdy. Mag., London, li, no. 4, April 1915, pp. 142-143. 



While collecting larvae and pupae of Chortophila brassicae, the 

 cabbage root fly, the author found a few larvae tiiat were larger than 

 those of Chortophila. These pupated and adults emerged in 15-21 

 days, which were identified as Phaonia trimacidata, Bouche. Accord- 

 ing to this authority, this species is fairly common, and the larvae, 

 which destroy the roots of cabbages, are to be found in summer and 

 autumn, in company with those of G. brassicae. 



