2 REPORT ON INJURIOUS INSECTS FOR 1906. 



My hearty thanks are here tendered to A. H. Martineau, F.E.S., 

 H. Willoughby Ellis, F.E.S., Robert Newstead, A.L.S., and Dr. D. 

 Sharp, F.R.S., for assistance in various ways. 



The year 1906 will long be remembered in the Midland Counties, 

 if not generally, as one in which insects of all kinds were exceedingly 

 abundant, some to such an extent as to form a plague ; conspicuous 

 amongst these must be mentioned the Hop Aphis, which, in spite of 

 the most persistent efforts on the part of growers, has caused serious 

 losses. The Apple Ermine Moth, the Lackey Moth, and the Plum 

 Sawfly have been unusually plentiful in Worcester, Warwick, Stafford 

 and Leicester. The Felted Beech Coccus has been reported from three 

 Worcestershire localities, but I fear no attempt has been made to deal 

 with a pest which is slowly but surely threatening the Beech trees of 

 this country. A new pest to Black Currants has been met with some- 

 what plentifully in Worcester, viz., Spilonota roborana, Tr. The 

 Vapourer, Lackey, Turnip Dart, Codling and Winter Moths have all 

 been abundant. 



The Wheat Midge and Cabbage Root Fly have occasioned much 

 damage. There has been a marked increase of the Pear Midge in 

 Worcester and Hereford, also the Apple Sucker and Mussle Scale. 



Wasps were never more abundant, and large quantities of fruit 

 have suffered. Concerted action on the part of fruit-growers would 

 well repay any time and expense. Those who have watched the gradual 

 but rapid increase of these insects during the last three years, regard 

 the situation as one calling for immediate and drastic action. 



Of injurious birds, the tits, bullfinches, chaffinches, sparrows, rooks, 

 wood pigeons and starlings have further increased, and fruit-growers 

 have been, and are again, urged to take some united action to check 

 what threatens to be a serious matter in the near future if no 

 action is taken. 



A serious epidemic of Eelworms has been prevalent throughout 

 the Midland Counties ; indeed, the presence in Warwickshire and 

 Worcestershire of the root-knot eelworm (Heterodera radicle ola) is 

 becoming a matter for serious consideration. A thousand circulars 

 were issued in October drawing attention to the matter, and advocating 

 action on the part of all who had land infected. 



During the past year the Council of the University of Birmingham 

 have founded a Department of Economic Zoology, and the whole of 

 the writer's time and services are now therein devoted. 



The area which this Department will endeavour to work com- 

 prises the counties of Shropshire, Stafford, Derby, Leicester, Warwick, 

 Worcester and Hereford. 



A Register of the names and addresses of the farmers and fruit- 



