56 REPORT ON INJURIOUS INSECTS FOR 1904. 



April, the second during June, and the third during July ; a 

 fourth brood has occasionally been observed in August. 



The larvae of the last brood remain in the cocoons during the 

 winter, pupating in the spring. 



A correspondent who has made some experiments writes 

 me that the larvae are unpalatable to birds, while frogs and toads 

 will reject them in disgust after a trial and refuse to touch them 

 again. Another correspondent, however, informs me that he 

 knows of no greater enemy of this sawfly than the Cuckoo. 



Fortunately there are a number of insects parasitic on this 

 sawfly. Cameron ( r ) records no less than sixteen species. 



REMEDIAL MEASURES. 



In addition to those remedial measures mentioned in last 

 year's Report (p. 15), a number of growers early in the year, 

 tried rolling the ground, and this has proved of considerable 

 value. Wherever the land had been rolled, only very few of the 

 pupae were able to make their way to the surface. On heavy 

 soils, such as in the Pershore district, this is a cheap and often 

 effectual remedy- Wherever the fly appears, the soil beneath 

 the bushes should be well turned over, so as to bury the surface 

 soil, and then rolled. 



MOLLUSCA. 

 THE CELLAR SLUG. 



Limax variegatus, Drap. 



Numerous examples of this large slug have been received, 

 mostly from cellars and pantries, but in a few cases from gardens. 

 In one case quite a large number had migrated from a cellar into 

 a conservatory above, and for some time did great damage. 



THE COMMON FIELD SLUG. 



Agriolimax agrestis, Linn. 



As in 1903, this slug has proved exceedingly destructive. 

 Early in the year it was reported damaging field crops, and later 

 garden plants such as Violets, Pansies, Carnations, Dahlias, 

 etc., also Peas and Beans. 



Where sand saturated with paraffin had been used last year, 

 the numbers had been considerably lessened. 



As I have previously pointed out (Report for 1903, p. 16), 

 Starlings will clear more specimens in an early morning than any 

 amount of hand-picking, or any other remedial measure. Un- 

 fortunately the Starlings, Thrushes and Blackbirds are constantly 

 being thinned out by Midland farmers and fruit growers, owing to 

 their depredations on bush and wall fruit. It would, I am sure, 

 be much wiser to adopt other simple methods for preserving the 

 fruit, and otherwise to leave these useful birds alone. 



I. Brit. Phytop. Hymen., 1884 vol. ii, p. 170. 



