222 



Insect Pests. 



The pests appear to swarm at times 

 and leave the soil in numbers. 



Small galled and split growths may be 

 seen where the aphides have taken up 

 their abode near the stem, and in young 

 stock the plants die under the attack. 



Should any pale wool and powder be 

 seen on young currant stocks it is well 

 to have them cleaned before planting, by 

 either washing them in warm soft soap 

 and water, tobacco wash, or fumigating 

 them with hydrocyanic acid gas. Injec- 

 tions of bisulphide of carbon also do 

 good. 



Tliis aphis was sent me from Paddock 

 Wood in 1894, where it was found living 

 in the ground and was taken to be the 

 subterranean form of the Woolly Aphis (3). 

 It is to be found attached to the roots 

 and also in earth chambers lined with 

 cottony fibres. Bucktou (5) described it 

 as a new species from Haslemere. 



This insect has now been shown to be 

 the migrant form of Schizoneura ulmi (7), 

 which causes the curled leaves on the 

 elm in spring and summer, and when 

 these get tough it descends to the roots of currants and gooseberries. 



•'IG. 170. — CURRANT ROOT LOUSE 

 ON BLACK CURRANT. 



(Note damage at a and white 

 patches.) 



Eeferences. 



(1) Theobald, F. V. Bulletin No. 60. Dept. Agriculture, U.S.A. (1906). 



(2) Carpenter, G. H. Injurious Insects and Other Animals observed in 



Ireland during tlie year 1905. Eco. Proc. Koyal Dublin Society, p. 337 

 vol. I., pt. 8 (1906). 



(3) Theobald, F. V. Notes upon Insect Pests in 1894, p. 4 (1895). 



(4) Theobald, F. V. Eeport on Economic Zoology for year ending April 1, 



1906, p. 46 (1906). 



(5) Buchton, G. H. ' Monograph of British Aphides,' vol. III., p. 94 (1880). 



(6) Warbitrtoii, C. Journal Royal Agri. Soc, vol. LXVL, p. 184 (1905). 



(7) Barsacq, J. Le Jardin, vol. XXL, No. 498, p. 348, Nov. 20 (1907). 



