ANIMALS INJURIOUS TO FARM AND GARDEN PRODUCE. 5 



LIFE-HISTORY. 



The eggs are deposited on the under-surface of the leaves of 

 wild Brassicae, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and other cruciferous plants 

 at the end of October or early in November, and hatch out early in 

 May. It is not until the year has well advanced that they do any 

 considerable damage, although plants received from Cheshire in July, 

 1905, w r ere blistered all over, most of the leaves having many yellow 

 patches on them. 



In the early part of the year the larvae are covered with a mealy- 

 like substance, and seem to spread very slowly. 



There is an active migration late in the summer from such plants 

 as the shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris), the charlock or wild 

 mustard (Brassica sinapsis), etc. Indeed, it would seem as if they 

 prefer the cultivated plants in the autumn. Here they excrete large 

 quantities of a sticky honey-dew, which covers the leaves and stems, 

 making most plants unmarketable, and if largely infested, killing 

 them. 



In spite of the beneficial work of the larvae of certain Hovering 

 Flies (Catabomba pyrastri, Linn., and Syrphus grossulariae, Meig.), 

 and Ladybird beetles, once they attack a plant, they seem to flourish. 



None of the remedies I know of are of any value except where 

 employed on a small scale. For gardens or where grown on small 

 areas, three or four weekly applications of Jib. of soft soap to i gallon 

 of water will usually keep the plants clear. 



All cruciferous weeds should, of course, be destroyed. 



THE ASPARAGUS BEETLE. 



Crioceris asparagi, Linn. 



A somewhat serious attack of this beetle was reported from 

 Hertford in June last, and considerable damage was done before 

 spraying was carried out. 



LIFE-HISTORY. 



The female beetles commence to lay their somewhat spindle- 

 shaped eggs (Fig 1, i) early in June. At this period they are deposited 



