338 



The grape-vine flea-beetle [Haltica chalybea] caused much damage 

 during 1919-20. Hibernation occurs in the adult stage under debris 

 near grape-\'ines, and in the spring, just when the buds are ready to 

 burst, the beetles eat out the insides, causing a loss in foliage and fruit 

 that is out of all proportion to the actual food consumed. Oviposition 

 lasts about a month, and the incubation period is three weeks to two 

 months, according to the temperature. The 3'oung larvae eat small 

 holes in the lower surface of the leaves and, later, feed on the upper 

 surface and on the blossom clusters, sometimes ruining the entire 

 crop. The larvae are mature after about three weeks, and pupate in 

 the ground, adults emerging about one month later. The adults feed 

 on the foliage until the autunm, when they hibernate. The remedies 

 suggested are spraying the vines in the spring, as soon as the buds 

 swell, with Bordeaux mixture, 4 : 4 : 50, adding 2 lb. lead arsenate 

 to every 50 U.S. gals, of the mixture. Another application should be 

 made after the foliage is out, but before the flower-buds open, and again 

 after the fruit is set. 



Oyster-shell scale [Lepidosaphes iilmi] is spreading alarmingly in 

 Indiana, attacking forest trees as well as shade and ornamental trees. 

 The three forms found in Illinois [R. A.E., A, viii, 305] all occur; the 

 brown form, on apple, has two generations, but is not a serious pest. 

 The light brown form does not attack apples, but is a serious pest of 

 lilac, red and yellow osier, dogwood, elm, ash, cottonwood, soft maple, 

 Rosa ritgosa. etc. ; it has two generations and is the commonest form, 

 only about 10 per cent, of the scales being parasitised. The greyish- 

 brown form is a pest of various shade and ornamental trees; it has only 

 one generation in a year and is not heavily parasitised. The remedy 

 that has proved successful against these scales is a spray of 1 lb. fish-oil 

 soap to 4 U.S. gals, water, adding 1 oz. Blackleaf 40 to every 4 gals, of 

 solution. This should be applied just after the young scales have 

 hatched. 



The Hessian fly [Mayetiola destructor] was able to do considerable 

 damage owing to wheat being planted while the midges were still 

 active. Climatic conditions in dii^erent parts of the State have caused 

 much variation in the time of emergence ; if this is carefully observed 

 and late sowing is practised, the pest should be reduced to a minimum. 



A record is given of apiary inspection during the year, which shows 

 a great decrease in disease among bees. 



Imms ''A. D.). Isle of Wight Disease in Hive Bees. — Nature. London, 

 cvii, no. 2687, 28th April 1921, pp. 283-284. 



The literature on Isle of Wight disease of bees is reviewed. Informa- 

 tion with regard to the mite, Acarapis {Tarsonemus) woodi, as the 

 causal agent, has already been noticed [R.A.E., A, ix, 275]. 



Hirst (S.). On the Mite {Acarapis woodi, Rennie) associated with 

 Isle of Wight Bee Disease. — Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., London, vii, 

 no. 42, June 1921, pp. 509-519, 7 figs. 



The external structure and affinities of the mite, Acarapis woodi, 

 Kennie, the causal agent of Isle of Wight disease in bees, are described. 



\s there is no free nymphal stage in either Acarapis or Tarsonemus, 

 the disease is probably spread by the adult stage. The mites live for 

 several days after the death of the bee and finally die in the body of 



