B.C. ExTOjroiAXiicAL Society. 



years. It will be very iiiterestius to see when and from where the next infe.sta- 

 tioii comes, but in the meantime I will not dare to set my brains to work to offer 

 .suggestions as to the controlling influences in the universe, to predict when the next 

 outbreak occurs. 



So far as Vancouver Island is concerned, my notes extend back only as far as 

 1008, in which year the eatei-pillars were ver.v numerous and destructive in the 

 neighbourhood of Victoria and up the line of the EsQuimalt and Xauaimo Railway 

 to all points where there was a preponderance of crab-apple trees. 



In 1909 it was again very prevalent about the same points and through as far 

 as Alberni. 



In 1910 there was a distinct lessening of the attack at all the above points ou 

 the Island. I have notes to show that a great deal of parasitism took place this 

 summer, which must have been very effective, for in 1011 they had practically 

 disappeared, and thus far have not appeared again. 



Here again, as on the Maitdand, it is gratifying to note the scarcity of egg-masses 

 in most of tlie districts which have been subject to the heaviest attacks in the past, 

 both in orchard and forest. 



PRELIMINARY NOTE ON THE WORK OF ERIOPHYES SP. UPON APPLES, 

 APRICOTS, AND PLUMS. 



By W. II. Beittain, B.S..V., I'bovincul Entomologist. 



The first specimen of the work of this mite to come under my notice on some 

 young apples was sent in by Mr. Chas. Holt, of Balfour, B.C., ou July 3rd, 1912. 

 Since that time I have had samples sent in from all parts of the Kootenay and 

 Okanagan Districts. The corresixindent nearly invariably .stated that the trouble 

 attadced the same trees year after year and did not seem to spread rapidly through 

 the orchard. Nearly always it was confined to a few varieties — Wealthy. Duchess, 

 and Yellow Transparent. 



Affected fruit has a iieeuliar spotted or Ijlotched appearance. The injury varies 

 from slight elevations or blisters upon the skin, of about 1 m.iu. diameter, to large, 

 slightly raised blotches, which may involve one-quarter to three-quarters of the 

 surface of the fruit, the cells below the surface being also affected to some extent. 

 The raised patches vary considerably in colour, some appearing dark green or water- 

 soaked; others dark red or reddish-brown; and others, again, a dark yellowish- 

 brown. The smaller blisters are in most cases red or reddish. In some cases the 

 blotches are not raised at all. 



Where the injury is very severe tlie fruit may be dwarfed or stunted. The death 

 of the cells and underlying tissues sometimes results in tlie formation of brown 

 sunken spots or even craclcs upon the fruit. The fruit may reach its normal size, 

 but more often it drops prematurel.y. 



Where the mites are active a clear, slightly yellowish fluid will sometimes be 

 detected oozing through the skin. I^ater the fluid may become cloudy, or whitish in 

 colour. On examining tliis exudate and the tissue beneath, the adults and eggs of 

 the mites were found in abundance. The exudate was first noticed on July 10th ; 

 and hundreds of samples of such fruit were examined at intervals throughout the 

 season, the mites being present in each instance. 



On August loth a number of apricots were sent in from Naramata, covered with 

 reddish and brownish-yellow unraised blotches. Examination revealed the presence 

 of the mites and their eggs. Similar specimens obtained from different parts of the 

 Okanagan, obtained at the packing-house of the Vernon Fruit Union, showed the 

 apricots to be affected by the mites. 



On August 19th Mr. Win. Middleton. Jr.. sent in a box of plums from Peuticton. 

 These plums were co^•ered with raised russet spots and beads of a clear fluid. From 

 these .specimens were also obt.iined mites and their eggs. 



