G6 MANGOLDS. 



was favoured by the foUowiug observations regarding Ground Beetle 

 attack to Mangold, which were sent me from Brunstead Rectory, 

 Stalham, Norfolk, by the Rev. Maurice C. H. Bird, with specimens 

 accompanying. These proved, on examination, to be of two species 

 of Ground Beetles [(Teodepha(ia) — some of Pterostichits (= Omaseus) 

 vuhjaris, and some of a smaller kind, which did not differ, so far as I 

 could see, from Calathus cisteloides of Panzer. This is only from about 

 three to six lines in length (that is, from about a quarter to half an 

 inch). The colour black, with anteima; (horns) and legs brownish red. 

 The thorax slightly narrowed before, sinuated behind, and the hinder 

 angles rounded off. IVie tcintfs absent or imperfect. 



Pterostichus vul(jaris is six and a half to seven and a half lines in 

 length, or possibly more. Wholly black, and rather shining. Thorax 

 rather broader than long, with the hinder corners bluntly pointed. 

 The wing-cases strongly and smoothly striated. Wings absent. 



The reader is asked to notice that in the case of each of the three 

 above-named species the wings are either wholly absent or imperfect, 

 as this inability to transport themselves by flight about the country is 

 a very important consideration in regard to prevalence of attack, and 

 success in remedial measures. A figure of P. vulgaris, magnified, will 

 be found at heading of the paper on Strawberry attack by Ground 

 Beetles. 



Regarding the attack to Mangolds of the above-mentioned beetles, 

 the Rev. Maurice Bird wrote me from Brunstead Rectory, Stalham, 

 first on July 5th, as follows : — 



" I am now sending you some Ground Beetles and Mangold plants 

 to show cause and effect, as I behave. This forenoon, my friend Ash 

 Rudd, J. P., landowner and farmer near by, called and asked me to go 

 and inspect his Mangolds. I found fields cropped with most choice 

 varieties, and so most valuable for feeding purposes, i. e. those con- 

 taining most sugar, were chief sufferers, cut oft' just above ground after 

 the plants had been singled out. I searched deeply and carefully all 

 over several fields, and could find no trace of Slug, Snail, or Wire- 

 worm, or Rabbit work, but the enclosed beetles were near by nearly 

 every bitten-off plant. I am aware that they and other allied Ground 

 Beetles are generally supposed to be carnivorous, but think that it was 

 fully proved that they last year spoilt the Strawberry crop in this 

 neighbourhood. Would you kindly give me your opinion as to Man- 

 golds and enclosed beetles ? " — (M. B.) 



The above note is of a good deal of interest, as coming from an 

 observer acquainted with Ground Beetles and their reputed as well as 

 recently observed habits, and shows an attack of considerable extent 

 characterized by the Mangolds being cut off' just above ground ; and, 

 what is of great importance practically, that on Mr. Bird searching 



