40 B.C. ExTOMoi-otiicwL Society. 



DiPTEKA (Flies). 



There are two flies which are gaining in importanfe in tlie garden and green- 

 houses of Vancouver — viz., the ehrysantheuiuiu leaf-miner and the narcissus-fly. 

 The former I reported in my paper of last year, and an account may be seen iu 

 Bulletin 4 of our series, as affecting white daisies and chrysanthemums. The latter, 

 however, the narcissus-fly {Merodon ecfiicitris), while also reported on at length in 

 the same Bulletiu 4, requires further mention. I again wish to warn those who are 

 interested that this iusect is rapidly increasing its sphere of prevalence. During 

 the past spring I observed an extraordinary bad attack from this insect .inst out- 

 side the cit.v limits of Vancouver. Upwards of half an acre of bulbs, buried in the 

 ground and neglected, were severely Infested. This instance is only one of many 

 lu which careless growers of bulbs neglect their grounds to increase the breeding 

 area of this insect. I understand that when there is no sale for the bulbs It is the 

 practice by commercial gardeners to " heel " in the bulbs, trusting to make money 

 toy any chan-ce blooms during the spring. This practice cannot be too strongl.v 

 condemned, as the unfortunate private residents of the locality suffer as a direct 

 result. I have known cases of individuals iu the City of Vancouver who have 

 failed to harvest their bulbs owing to this fly, and I have no doubt, further, that 

 many bulbs suffer which we do not hear about. 



Three years ago the Victoria District was suffering severely, and at that time 

 we only had actual references of a few cases of infection in Vancouver. Last year 

 the attack was noticed in private gardens. Indicating an increase. This year I feel 

 sure that it has increased to a remarkable extent, more so than we can gauge from 

 exact data. Furthermore, ilr. Tom Wilson, Dominion Inspector of Indian Orchards, 

 Informs me that less than 1 per cent, of a large bed of daffodils planted ou the 

 All Hallows grounds at Yale, 150 miles Inland, matured. The sisters in charge 

 remarked on the condition and produced the insect In question. 



To tho.se who are not familiar with this insect will find references iu Bulletins 

 1 and 4 of our series. It may be recognized as a large grub within the bulb of 

 daffodils, causiug a rot. Extreme care should be taken to examine the bulbs before 

 planting, and, when, digging, to determine whether or not the bulb is infested. No 

 bulb should be left undisturbed during the winter : all should lie pulled up for spring 

 jjlanting. 



Other Animals. 

 The IjINden-trke Gall. 



The gall produced on the leaves of basswoods and lindens, and recorded mainl.v 

 from Victoria, but also occurring at poiuts inland, is referred to, in one of the late 

 Dr, Fletcher's reports, as the' work of Erioplij/cs ahiwrniis Garman. 



The Ked SrinEB {TctraniicJius biiiinei(l(itiis). 



Early in spring, frequently showing activity in the month of February in the 

 City of Vancouver, these mites may be seen, forming webs of fine silk over the 

 trunks of many of our boulevard trees. Their presence on the trunks of trees is 

 readily discernible, resembling in a way as if the trees were dusted with sawdust. 

 I took a.ctive specimens on February 20th this year. To satisfy myself, specimeus 

 were forwarded to Dr. Xathan Banks, of the Washington. D.C., Bureau, and he 

 believed them to be the above species. 

 The Clover-mite {Bnjohia pratensis). 



This mite also occurs in association with the red spider, causiug discoloration 

 of the leaves of ornamentals. 



Theips. 



According to Comstock's classification these insects belong to the Ph.ysopoda. 

 If you tease open any flower you will usually find a large number of very minute, 

 active creatures ; these are usually Thrips. They may be found on very nearly 



