Insects, etc., Injurious to Currants. 



215 



describes the larva as dull greenish, with a red patch on ninth 

 segment ; head and second segment black. 



In April and May they change to brown pupre in somewhat loose 

 cocoons in the tunnelled shoots, tlie pup^e forcing their way partly 

 out before the emergence of the moths. 



Warburton (5) noticed that the larv;o which " were not stopped 

 by the muslin (bag) took refuge under the little flakes of curled bark 

 on the currant stems and pupated there." In that position fresh 

 pupai and empty skins of those of last year were found. 



rEEVENTION. 



The only definite plan known to check this pest is to hand-pick 

 the flagging shoots in April before the emergence of the moths. 

 Spraying with caustic alkali wash in winter would be sure to do 

 good, as it would remove old bud scales, etc., and so expose the winter 

 cocoons and might even damage the small larvie. 



Keferexces. 



(1) Chapman, Dr. Entomologist Monthly Magazine, pp. 297-300 (1892). 



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



Fruits,' p. 71 (1898). 

 (8) Stainton, H. T. ' Tineina,' p. 42, and ' Manual British Butterflies and 

 Moths,' vol. II., p. 297 (1859). 



(4) Kaltenhacli, J. H. ' Pflanzenfeinde,' pp. 260 and 629 (1874). 



(5) Warburton, C. Journal Royal Agri. Soc, vol. LXVII., p. 268 (1906). 



THE GLAUCOUS LEAF 

 WEEVIL. 



{Phyllohiu.i calcamtus. Fabr.) 



This leaf weevil is recorded by 

 Warburton (1) as doing serious damage 

 to black currant bushes at Bewdley. 

 It usually occurs on alders and various 

 low bushes in hedges. The weevil is 

 locally common and is said by Fowler (2) 

 to be generally distributed throughout 

 England; common in Scotland (Solway, 

 Tay, Dee, etc.) ; Ireland, near Dublin, 

 and most likely widely distributed. 



It is a large and conspicuous species 

 often nearly ^ inch long, but sometimes 

 only a little more than -^. Colour black, 



[Horace Knight. 

 FIG. iGi.—Phyllobius calcaratus. 



