REPORT 



ON THE 



INJURIOUS INSECTS AND OTHER ANIMALS 



OBSERVED IN THE MIDLAND COUNTIES 

 DURING 1903. 



I. ARACHNIDA. 



The Red "Spider," OP Spinning Mite. 

 Tetranychus telarius, L. 



Specimens of this mite have been received from various correspon- 

 dents who complain of the damage done to greenhouse plants, 

 tomatoes, etc. 



PREVENTATIVE AND REMEDIAL MEASURES. 



Where the attack is a bad one, fumigating with hydrocyanic 

 acid gas is always best. For every 1,000 cubic feet of space the 

 following quantities are required : 2 ozs. of 98% of cyanide of 

 potassium, 4 ozs. of sulphuric acid, and 7 ozs. of water. Proceed 

 as follows : Add the 4 ozs. of sulphuric acid to the 7 ozs. of 

 water in a jar ; then take the cyanide, which should be wrapped up 

 in blotting paper, and by means of a stick or piece of string, drop 

 it into the water from the outside of the greenhouse. The window 

 or door should then be shut, and the house should remain closed 

 for three-quarters of an hour at least ; after which time they can be 

 opened to ventilate, but it should be remembered that it is unsafe 

 to enter the house until an hour or more after the windows and 

 doors have been opened. The best results have been obtained-at 

 a temperature of 50 F., about one hour after sunset, when the 

 foliage is dry. 



The Black Currant Gall-Mite. 

 Eriopliyes ribi* (Nalepa). 



As in previous years this mite has done considerable damage and 

 is rapidly increasing. Specimens from all parts of the Midlands 

 have reached me during the past year. 



