14 Transactions. — Zoology. 



generally the whole tree seems to wither, until at last it presents the 

 appearance of complete destruction. The aspect of the pest is always 

 unpleasant, and as its ravages increase it becomes more and more repulsive, 

 and trees formerly vigorous, full-foliaged, and handsome, become sickly, 

 meagre and unsightly. 



My attention was first called to this "blight" a few months ago at 

 Nelson, where it was doing immense damage to Pinus silvestris. It appears 

 to be very common about Wellington, P. insignis and P. halepensis in the 

 Botanical Gardens and elsewhere being greatly infested by it. I hear 

 also that in plantations of pines near Wanganui, Christchurch, Ashburton 

 and Peel Forest, its ravages are extending with great rapidity and effect. 



The insect causing the injuries just mentioned belongs to the family 

 " Aphididas," part of the order "Homoptera," an order which has as yet 

 been by no means sufficiently studied either in New Zealand or in other 

 countries. It belongs undoubtedly to the germs which, by Kaltenbach, 

 Passerini, Buckton, and others, is included under the name " Chermes " or 

 " Kermes." [As regards this name, see my observations below.] But I 

 am not able to fix accurately its specific position at present, in the absence 

 of certain information on some points. Its nearest allies appear to be 

 Chermes (Anisophleba) pini, Koch, and 0. corticalis, Kaltenbach, if indeed 

 these two insects are not one and the same ; but, as shown presently, there 

 are a few characters which seem to distinguish it from both. Just now, 

 therefore, I can only suggest for it a temporary scientific name. 



It was remarked above that, after continued exposure to the attacks of 

 this insect, the trees present the appearance of complete destruction. I pur- 

 posely employ this somewhat vague phrase, because of the uncertainty of the 

 thing so far. Undoubtedly, in many instances, nothing can seem more like 

 approaching death, and often complete death, than the aspect of the infected 

 trees. But I am informed by Mr. Buchanan, and others who have watched 

 them for some time, that in the majority of cases the trees, after a year or 

 two, recover and become quite green again ; indeed, I understand that they 

 have not found any tree actually killed by the insect. If this is found to be 

 generally the case, of course the damage done will be lessened, — not that 

 the two or three years of decay and weakness will not be harmful, but at 

 least there will be the chance that the trees may take a fresh start after- 

 wards. There does not appear to have been time to fully study this point 

 in New Zealand. It may be that, like a very severe but not constitutional 

 disease, the pest may leave no permanent injury behind it ; it may be, on 

 the other hand, that although seemingly recovering, the trees may never 

 regain their proper vigour ; or again, it may be that after an interval of 

 relief the insect may come back as bad as ever, and the trees may simply 



