BLACK CURRANT GALL -MITE. 43" 



remove it on to the glass slide. From this it appeared hardly possible 

 but that the fly maggot must have consumed its fellow passengers on 

 the journey ; and if so, the fact of there being a carnivorous grub 

 CO operating with us in keeping down the Mite pests, is one which it 

 would be well to trace onwards to the development and identification 

 of the perfect insect, and then to consideration as to how its presence 

 might be multiplied. This I suggested at the time to Mr. Gibbon, who 

 took much pains in the matter, and though not successful in developing 

 this special parasite, or apparent Gall-Mite feeder, his observations 

 were perhaps still more valuable by showing the very numerous 

 presence of another parasitic insect enemy. 



On June 17th, Mr. Gibbon forwarded to me, by careful hands, a 

 glass (still unopened) in which, secured beneath the cover with the 

 galls from which they had developed, were what proved on examination 

 to be a large number of minute four-winged flies. This being at a 

 time when I was unfortunately too ill, from a severe attack of the 

 influenza then prevalent, to attempt to identify them, I forwarded 

 them to the better- skilled hands of Mr. 0. E. Janson, who told me 

 they were Chalcids, but as yet we have not obtained identification as 

 to the species. The Chalcidida are a family of Hymenopterous flies, 

 usually parasitic, and usually of brilliant colour, with four almost 

 veinless wings. 



In the case of Phytoptus attack, there do not appear to be either 

 the difficulties or the objections in the way of rearing the parasites 

 Avhich occur where the host is an insect and is very similar in size and 

 appearance with its tenant. As the Phytopti cannot fly, there is no 

 danger of them being dispersed together with their winged parasites. 

 No greater care would be required for rearing than (when the infested 

 galled buds were picked from the shoots) to throw these galls where they 

 would be in fairly natural circumstances. They should be only thinly 

 sprinkled over the surface where they are thrown, in order that they 

 may not mould, and also that the Chalcids as they emerge may be able 

 to fly freely away. They should not be exposed to a drying sun, nor 

 to be soddened by rain, nor to be at the mercy of the small insect- 

 feeding birds. Nor yet should they be where the Mites can get back 

 to the bushes. Probably a space on the floor of an open shed would 

 answer well. 



