APH1DIDJE. 



325 



Shoots in close proximity to the old galls of the previous year are 

 the most likely to yield specimens. 



The first appearance of the gall may he looked for, according to 

 season, ahout the middle of April. This is recognised by a small 

 white speck at the tip of the shoot (fig. 299), in which the 

 mother Chermes may be found depositing her eggs. On examin- 

 ation about a month after recognising the white speck (my dates 

 were April 20 and May 18, and the locality Cheshire), the mother 

 Chermes was still surrounded by eggs, although none were hatched. 

 Meanwhile the cottony down had increased in quantity, the young 



Fig. 298. Gall of Chermes abietis 

 o;i spruee. 



Fig. 299. Early'stage of gall of 

 Chermes abietis on spruce. 



shoots had grown from 1| to 2| inches in length, and the pseudo- 

 cone or gall itself from to | inch in length, whence arose deformed 

 leaflets about Jr inch in length. 



It is probable that constant irritation causes the gall formation in 

 question. 



The young larvae are hatched outside the pseudo-gall, which begins 

 to enlarge before the larvae are hatched out, and it is not quite clear 

 how the vegetable structure reacts against the insect attack ; but the gall 

 slightly opens at the slits, and the young larvae creep in. Afterwards 

 the gall closes up, and the transformations take place within the gall. 

 It is computed there are about 2000 inhabitants to each gall. 



