Galls caused by the larvae of Lasioptera rubi Schrk, 



on 



the stems of Rubus fruticosus Linn. 

 PLATE SI. 

 Synonymy of Insect. 

 Lasioptera picta Mg. 



„ argyrosticta Mg. 



„ fusca Vallot. 



„ rubi Theobald. 



Habitat of the Common Bramble.— Very plentiful in 

 every part of Britain in waste places, woods, disused 

 country roads, hedges, coppices, etc., asserting itself in 

 every way. 



The Gall is formed by the swelling of the pith and 

 medullary tissue. 



POSITION.-On the sides of the b.amble-shoots. 



Manner of GROWTH.-Singly ; sometimes close together 

 rarely coalesced. 



COLOUR.-Dark green at first ; brown or reddish brown when 

 mature. 



Average Dimensions of a Mature Specimen. 



Length, i8 mm. ; girth, 36 mm. 

 May be SOUGHT during any month in the year. 

 The Growth is complete by the end of September. 

 The Typical Condition of the gall is multilarval. 



The Larv^ pupate in the gall. The imagines emerge 

 durmg May. 



When these galls are required as specimens for iUu.stration 

 or mountmg m a case they should be gathered in September 

 or October ; for the purpose of rearing the inhabitants, however 

 they must be allowed to remain in situ until March or April but 

 not later. See also plate 117. ' 



The gall is also figured in "The Royal Natural History" 

 sect. XI., p. 20. ■* ' 



