Galls caused by the larvae, nymphs, and imagines of 

 Eriophyes ribis Nal. 



on 



the leaf-buds of Ribes nigrum Linn. 



PLATE 62. 

 Synonymy of Mite. 



Phytoptus ribis West, Nalepa, Mum, Ormerod (Miss). 



Habitat of the Black Currant. — Cultivated in gardens 

 and orchards throughout the whole of Britain. Bentham 

 in "British Flora," p. 164, says: "If anywhere wild, it is 

 in the Lake District and Yorkshire." 



Position of the Galls.— On the shoots. 



Manner of Growth. — Singly at each node and in clusters 

 at the end of the twig. 



Colour. — Ashy grey. 



Average Dimensions of a Mature Specimen (gathered 

 in April). 

 Height, 12 mm.; girth, 30 mm. 



May be sought during any month in the year. 



The Growth is complete by the end of May. 



These galls are, unfortunately for the fruit-grower, only too 

 well known to need any detailed description. Much has been 

 written and published concerning them since they were first 

 brought to public notice in this country in 1869, and the gallist 

 desirous of aiding or confirming his examinations of them cannot 

 do better than consult the under-mentioned works. 



The remark anent collecting the buds of Corylus Avellana 

 (p. 126) applies also to these buds. 



The gall is also figured by Miss Ormerod, " Injurious Insects," 

 p. 303, and "Orchard and I3ush-fruit Insects," p. 60; Murray, 

 "Economic Entomology," p. 355 ; Mosley, " Naturalists' Journal," 

 May, 1895. 



The illustration is of specimens gathered at Hastings by the 

 author. 



156 



