530 Report op the Entomologists op the 



(the insects) seem to take all life out of the leaves, and bushes 

 badlj attacked have the appearance of having been singed by 

 fire. We did not notice them until a week or so ago, but unless 

 we can overcome them, it will be a serious matter, as we under- 

 stand that this insect has appeared in all parts of this section. 

 We enclose a leaf, but doubt if it reaches you in condition to 

 judge from." The leaf referred to appeared to be infested with 

 the red spider {Tetranychus telarius Linn.). This supposition was 

 confirmed by specimens sent at a later date. We recommended 

 spraying with kerosene emulsion at a strength of one part of 

 the emulsion to seven parts of water, with the addition of sul- 

 phur, and also to clean up and burn all rubbish in and about the 

 infested field at the close of the season. At a later date we re- 

 ceived the following letter from Mr. Velie, which gives an idea 

 of the importance of the outbreak to fruit-growers in the vicinity 

 of Marlborough, and also shows that the kerosene emulsion did 

 not have the desired effect. The letter says in part: " In reply 

 to your letter of inquiry concerning the red spider would say, 

 that we followed your directions as to spraying with kerosene 

 emulsion, but could not discover any benefit therefrom, so dis- 

 continued it at the time of picking, with the intention of trying 

 it again on young canes after we had cut out the bearing bushes. 

 But by that time they had entirely disappeared, so we have done 

 nothing but burn the old bushes and rubbish around the field of 

 berries. The field of berries which was shaded by peach trees 

 was injured the most. They also defoliated the currant bushes 

 to quite an extent. 



" As to how far this insect has spread, I do not positively know. 

 To my knowledge, however, about all the plantations in this 

 vicinity were affected more or less. I think the reason that the 

 kerosene emulsion did not prove a success is that the insect 

 seems to live under a web which is very hard to penetrate witli 

 a spray. If the pest continues to increase, it will certainly de- 

 stroy the red raspberry industry in this section of the state." 



Mr. Velie's experience with the kerosene emulsion only goes to 

 show that if this insecticide is to be used against the red spider, 



