Proceedin(;.s, 1914. 



the third season of growth is rendered unreniunerative in yield of fruit. All efforts 

 to control this weevil by artificial methods or spraying have proven more or less 

 unsatisfactory. However, by .iudicious management of crops, by rotation, thorough 

 cultivation, by the use of chiclcens, and the growth of suitable varieties, the depre- 

 dations of the weevil will be much alleviated. 



The Black Vine-weevil (OtiorJiiincliu.i mdriitKx). 



This species is similar in habits to O. oviitiix. It is larger throughout in all its 

 stages. It is found iu strawberry plantations to a minor degree as compared to the 

 smaller species. This species may be mentioned as lieing more troublesome to garden 

 and greenhouse plants than to strawberries. 



Spittle-insects ( CercopicUe) . 



Are frequently met with in strawberry-fields and in grass and garden plots, and 

 may be recognized by the objectionable saliva-lilie substance that surrounds them. 

 The amount of their in.iury, beyond rotting the fruit it may be in connection with, 

 is not very extensive, and no control measures have been proven essential. Should 

 such be required, however, kero.sene emulsion applied with pressure will be of use. 



The CunRANT-BOEER (.'Eficfiu lipiilifoDiiif:. Clerck). 



The adult, insect is a moth. It is probably not Icnown to the average grower 

 in the Fraser Valley as the cause of injury to his currant-bushes. Local observations 

 on this insect indicate that the moths are flying the second weelc of June. On any 

 bright, sunny day at this time of year, by carefully watching the currant-bushes and 

 surrounding vegetation, the moths may be seen darting raiiidlj- about in the air, 

 resting at times on the leaves of plants. On dull days they are not so active, for 

 it would seem that the bright, warm days of summer are more in accord with their 

 nature. If one of these moths be captured, it will prove to be one of the most 

 beautiful of the many insects of the orchard. It is a clear-winged Sesiid about V2 

 inch in length, w-ith a body of a steel-blue lustre with several bright golden bands 

 around the neck and across the abdomen, while on the last segment is a prominent 

 tuft of long scales. 



At the latter part of June the female has deposited her eggs; in one case, 

 under observation, eighty eggs were laid by a single moth. The eggs were ver.v small 

 and yellowish in colour, and were tucked away under corrugations of the bark of 

 the bushes in axils of buds and under the edges of lichens which grow' so frequently 

 on the stems of shuts and trees in the valley. On July 1st the larvjie had hatched 

 from the eggs and had penetrated to the iiith of the stems, small amouuts of cast- 

 off material indicating the point of entrance. The larvjie feed on the central pith of 

 the currant-bushes and they become half-grown at the approach of winter. The 

 following spring feeding and growth is continued uninterruptedly uutil May. The 

 full-grown larva is about % inch long, yellow, with a brown head. The pupa is 

 then formed in the pith, and it remains dormant about fifteen days until the adult 

 moth is ready to emerge. When read.v, the pupa forces its way through a hole to 

 the outside of the stem until it protrudes nearl.v its whole lengtli from the stem. 

 The anterior portion tlien breaks open and the adult moth ajijicars ready to com- 

 mence the generations again. 



Affected bushes will show a slight yellowing of the leaves an<l a general dwarfed 

 appearance of the plant. The insect is very common in the Lower Fraser Valley on 

 currants, and no evidence has as yet been given where bushes die from tlie effects 

 of this moth alone, although in severe infestations such may prove the case. The 

 remedy is comparatively simple. Prune out all the old wood in the early sjiring or 

 in late fall and burn the cuttings. The standard form of bush should also be 

 avoided. 



The Currant Fruit-fi.v (Epoclira canadensis, Loew.). 



Dr. Fletcher in 1901 reported this insect injuriously [irevalcnt on Vancouver 

 Island and in the Lower Fraser Valley. It is probable that it is still present in 



