2 REPORT ON INJURIOUS INSECTS FOR 1905. 



Addresses and lectures have been given to agriculturists, fruit 

 grower?, gardeners, etc., at Solihull, Birmingham, Walsall, Broms- 

 grove, Four Oaks, etc. 



Amongst the more noticeable features of the year may be 

 mentioned the continued increase and spread of the Apple Sucker 

 and Plum Aphis (especially in Herefordshire and Worcestershire) ; 

 the Cabbage Aphis, Cabbage Moth, the White Woolly Currant 

 Scale, and Mussel Scale are also abundant. 



Wireworms are still in most of the Midland Counties a very 

 serious pest. The experiments made during the past season with 

 various suggested remedies seem likely to ultimately prove of 

 service. 



In Staffordshire, Shropshire, Hereford, Worcester, Warwick, 

 and Leicester, horticulturists have suffered severely from the losses 

 caused by Eelworms. 



There is a decrease in the number of cases where the Pear 

 Midge and Apple Blossom Weevil have been the source of trouble, 

 but the Turnip Flea-Beetle and Cabbage-Gall Weevil are still 

 doing great damage. 



The year 1905 proved exceptionally favourable for Crane and 

 other flies; next to the Wireworm, the larvae of the former, or 

 "Leather Jackets," are the most serious pest we have to contend 

 with. 



Chief Lines of Research. 



Two important pieces of work have been undertaken during 

 the past season on a piece of ground set apart for the purpose by 

 the Council of the University of Birmingham, viz., the continued 

 experiments on the Black Currant Gall -Mite, and a series on the 

 Plum Aphis, a full report of which will be found on pages 5 and 

 1 8. The life history of Alcyrodes vaporarium has also been 

 studied, and preventive and remedial measures considered, par- 

 ticulars of which will be found on page 22, and a number of 

 experiments have been made as to a remedy for the Clay-coloured 

 Weevil (p. 26), Wireworms (p. 28), the Lilac Leaf-Miner (p. 36). 



Insects Sent for Identification. 



Many specimens of insects or insect larvae have been received 

 for identification from farmers, fruit-growers, florists, and others. 

 While there is no difficulty in identifying the common pests, reply- 

 ing to such inquiries takes up considerable time; but this work is 

 very necessary, as it familiarises the senders with the common 

 farm, field, and garden pests, so that any new or rare insect would 

 not be likely to pass unnoticed. 



Voluntary Observers. 



In my last Report, the following appeal was made for volun- 

 tary observers : 



" The agricultural interests of the Midland Counties are of a 



