40 REPORT ON INJURIOUS INSECTS FOR 1905. 



Some five years ago there was a very similar prevalence of 

 this moth in the Midlands. 



As soon as the larvae appear, fruit trees which are attacked 

 should be sprayed with Paris green. 



THE NARCISSUS FLY. 



Merodon equestris, Fabr. 



Two cases have been sent me during the past year of narcissus 

 bulbs badly damaged by the larvae of this fly. 



The first specimens were received in February, and attached 

 to the sides of the bulbs were earthy cocoons containing pupae. 

 These were bred out, and the following observations made : 



The first two flies appeared on April 26th, another on May 

 2nd, and five or six on May 4th. They are handsome little flies, 

 the body being a deep bluish-black, marked transversely with 

 golden-yellow bands; the wings are a slaty-grey, with the tips 

 slightly yellowish. 



On the 1 2th of May little groups of eggs, four or five in 

 number, were found deposited on the bulbs quite close to the soil ; 

 the date of hatching was not observed, but it occurred early in 

 June, and the larvae then crept down the side of the bulb and 

 commenced to attack it. In no case were any of the bulbs attacked 

 from the upper part. If a number of larvae enter one bulb (and 

 it frequently happens that seven or eight do), it soon becomes 

 destroyed, and they then pass through the soil and enter another 

 bulb (two or three to each bulb), and so on to other bulbs until they 

 become full-fed towards the end of October or beginning of 

 November. Even as late as the middle of December a few still 

 remained in the larval condition. They now leave the bulbs and 

 form in close proximity an earthen cell which is lined with silk, and 

 so complete the cocoon. 



REMEDIAL MEASURES. 



Wherever an attack is noticed the bulbs should be taken up and 

 burnt, and the top soil deeply buried. This should be done in 

 September or early in October. 



THE MARGUERITE FLY. 



Napomyza lateralts, Fall. 



The larvae of this fly have proved very troublesome to 

 nurserymen and others. 



Spraying the young plants with paraffin emulsion is the most 

 effective measure I know of, but this pest can only be kept down by 

 constant and careful attention; thus plants which are badly 

 attacked should be burnt, and others that are less so should be: 

 carefully gone over and the diseased leaves picked off. 



