60 REPORT ON INJURIOUS INSECTS FOR 1904. 



have in some cases been completely ruined. Small articles such 

 as these are best fumigated, if the damage has not gone too far. 



THE LARDER OR BACON BEETLE (Dermestes lardarius, Linn.). 

 A large firm of provision merchants reported the larvae of this 

 Beetle attacking hams. In another case they were found on 

 skins in a furrier's stockroom. In both cases fumigating with 

 bisulphide of carbon was recommended. 



WEEVILS DAMAGING LAUREL TREES. Dead or dying 

 branches of Laurel were forwarded by a correspondent with an 

 inquiry as to the cause. Specimens of a small Beetle (Rhino simus 

 planirostris, F.) were found mining the bark and wood ; 

 also examples of a Beetle larva. Cutting away the dead 

 branches and burning them is likely to prove the most effective. 



MAGGOTS IN MUSHROOMS. Numerous cases, particularly 

 from the Bromsgrove district of Worcestershire, have been 

 reported of Mushrooms as infested with the small white larvae 

 of a Dipterous fly. 



The first specimens were received on October 2nd, and 

 were gathered in the open fields ; between the lamellae of these 

 were numerous, tiny, pearly-white maggots ; while on the edge 

 of certain lamellae, and close to the pileus, were groups of eggs. 

 From four specimens, none of which measured more than two 

 inches across the pileus, over two hundred larvae were obtained. 



Attempts to breed out the larvae proved unsuccessful. 



Not only has the pest committed great damage, but it has 

 prejudiced many people against eating mushrooms. 



THE SPRUCE FIR SCALE (Physokermes abietis, Geoff.). In 

 many parts of Worcestershire and Warwickshire this scale is 

 abundant and spreading. 



PARASITIC DISEASES OF ANIMALS. 



Amongst the various parasitic diseases of animals reported 

 during the year the following may be mentioned :- 



GAPES IN FOWLS. This disease, due to the presence of 

 Round-worms (Syngamus trachealis, Siebold) in the wind-pipe 

 and air passages of the Lungs, has been fairly common, attacking 

 old birds as well as young. 



