Proceedings, 1915. 



INSECT-NOTES FROM THE OKANAGAN IN 1914. 



By M.\x Ruhman. 



Mr. President, Ladies, and Gentlemen, — I was aslced by our wortliy Secretary to 

 prepare a paper on tlie " Comparative Prevalence of Insect Pests in Various Parts 

 of tlie Okanagan." Not having had the opportunity to make a survey of the various 

 districts, I am compelled to use a considerable amount of data collected by others. 

 I will first take those pests which occur generally throughout the valley. 



The Tabnished Plant-bug {Lygtis pratenifis). 



This iwst seams to be increasing to an alarming extent in the Okanagan Valley, 

 and I think that the Capsids of British Columbia should receive more attention than 

 they appear to be getting. I fear that a great deal of the killing of fruit buds and 

 blossoms which occurred so noticeably this spring must be i^laced to the credit of the 

 Capsids. I have no positive proof that the injury was caused by them, but the 

 nature of the punctures at the base of most of the buds examined leads me to come 

 to this conclusion. 



The Pear- leaf Blister-mite (Erwpliyes pi/ri). 



This pest is very noticeable in most orchards where pears are grown ; the pest 

 is of considerable importance, but is easily controlled. 



The Woolly Aphis of the Apple. (Through recent studies in Maine this pest was 

 proven to be only another form of the elm-aphis (Eriosoma nliiii) ; this, 

 therefore, is now the technical name.) 

 This pest is present in all the older orchards throughout the valley, the amount 



of infestation being regulated principally by the care the individual orchards receive; 



the elm-tree form being particularl.v noticeable in Vernon and Kelowna. The root 



form is not so often met with. 



The Green Apple-aphis (Aphis mali). 



This pest is very common and doing a great deal of injury ; it is, on the whole, 

 the most widespread pest we have. The amount of injury done to individual orchards 

 is generally according to the amount of attention given to the control of the pest — too 

 frequently none at all. A mixed spray of lime-sulphur and Black Leaf 40 applied 

 as the buds are opening is, I think, the most efflective spray for the control of this 

 pest. 



The Red Spidee {Tctraiiychus liimaculatus). 



This pest is found abundantly wherever prunes are grown in the valley, and is 

 particularly noticeable and injurious In Vernon and Kelowna. 



The Oyster-shell Scale {Lepidosaphcs nlmi). 



Is particularly prevalent in low-lying moist places on uncleared land. Crab- 

 aiililes seem to be most affected. In orchards it is met with more often than 

 desirable, particularly in Vernon ami Keli>wna. Young orchards that receive a 

 reasonable amount of care seem to he entiri'ly free. 



The Cabbage- aphis (Aphis hfassicw). 



Very common and destructive everywhere ou cabbage and turnip. Little effort 

 seems to be made to control this pest. 



The Cabbage-worm (I'oiitici rapoe). 



Common everywhere; little effort is made to control until too late. 

 The Red-iiiimped Apple-wokm (Hchiziiva v(incinna). 



General and quite common some years, but easily controlled. 

 The Black Cherry-aphis (Myzus ccraxi). 



Fairly abund.mt everywhere; our nmst important cherry pest. 



