Insects, etc., Injurious to the Gooseberry. 273 



The insect seems very variable in regards to the amount of 

 black on the thorax and abdomen. Cameron (1) gives two distinct 

 aberrations as follows : (a) as in type, but the pleurae mostly pale 

 fulvous, instead of shining black, and (b) as in type, but the scutellum 

 black. A distinct variety exists in which the antennae, clypeus, 

 scutellum, and pleurae are black, and the eyes not surrounded with 

 brown; the dorsum of the abdomen being black to the seventh 

 segment. 



It appears somewhat later than N. ribesii. Miss Ormerod (2) 

 says from a month to six weeks later. 



Three eggs only seem to be deposited on each leaf. The larvae 

 are so far only recorded as feeding on the gooseberry. They have 

 a green head with little black specks and soft hairs ; the body is 

 green and shiny and with transverse rows of black tubercles; the 

 second segment and to some extent the last and the sides over 

 the legs yellow; the back has a bluish tint, especially down the 

 middle line. 



When young the larvae have a black head, green body with 

 black specks. At the last moult they become entirely green with 

 no specks, but with yellow behind the head and on the anal 

 segments. 



It will thus be seen that in the first and final stages the larvae 

 of the Allied Sawfly resemble those of the Common Gooseberry 

 Sawfly. But the presence of yellow on the sides over the legs will 

 at once distinguish it during the greater part of its development. 



As far as is at present known only one brood occurs. The 

 larvae pupate in the soil, much as do those of N. ribesii. 



Ormerod (2), however, records the following fact : " In observa- 

 tions sent me from Longleat, Mr. Taylor mentions that, unless 

 the locality was just under the surface of the soil close to a 

 wall or other dry place, he considered that the caterpillar preferred 

 nail holes in the wall, or holes in wood for pupating." This is 

 quite contrary to what we observe in most other Nemati, and is 

 therefore of much interest. 



Further observations are required concerning this species before 

 anything definite can be said regarding its life-history. 



REFERENCES. 



(1) Cameron, P. 'British Phytophagous Hymenoptera,' vol. II., p. 131-133 



(1884). 



(2) Ormerod, E. A. ' Handbook of Insects Injurious to Orchard and Bush 



Fruits,' p. 108 (1898). 



T 



