i 5 6 



Insect, Fungous and Other Pests. 



[JUNE, 



In using bisulphide of carbon it should be borne in mind : — (i) 

 That the fumes are poisonous and should not be inhaled by the 

 operator ; (2) that both the liquid and the fumes are inflam- 

 mable and explosive, and therefore no naked light must be 

 brought near it, not even a lighted pipe ; and (3) the liquid must 

 not be allowed to reach the roots of trees and plants, to which 

 it would be injurious. 



Mites. — Many specimens of mite-infested crops have been 

 received, the majority showing that the black currant gall mite 

 (Eriophyes ribis) is widely prevalent. This pest is described in 

 the Board's. Leaflet No. 1. The pear leaf blister mite (Eriophyes 

 pyri), of which specimens reached the Board from Wrexham 

 during May, may be eradicated by hand-picking and burning 

 all infested leaves not later than July. During April and May, 

 infected trees and all surroundings should be thoroughly treated 

 with the spray recommended in Leaflet No. 1 (The Black 

 Currant Gall Mite) for Eriophyes ribis. Specimens of Oribatid 

 eggs on apple-blossom were sent, from Huntingdon. For an 

 account of the mite Oribata lapidaria, see this Journal, May, 

 1907, p, 108. 



Certain species of mites, examples of which were received 

 from Glasgow, are known frequently to infest houses and 

 furniture, two of the most common being Glyciphagus domes- 

 iicus and Glyciphagus spinipes. Both of these mites flourish 

 abundantly in dried animal and vegetable matter, e.g., hay, 

 straw, beans, horse-hair, sateen, &c. The eggs hatch into six- 

 legged forms ; a fourth pair of legs appears after a moult, and 

 then after three further moults the adult condition is reached. 

 Some of the mites of the same family as Glyciphagus have a stage 

 in their life-history known as the hypopus stage, when the mites 

 are provided with suckers by which they can cling to passing 

 animals — mice, flies, &c. — and so be spread. The hypopus 

 stage in Glyciphagus is only partially developed, but it is at least 

 a resting resistant stage in which the mite may be spread. 

 Very many experiments have been made with a view to ridding 

 houses and furniture of these pests, but so far nothing has been 

 so successful as fumigating with sulphur. Sulphur used against 

 mites of another, but related, family has also proved very 

 satisfactory. Fumigation should be carried out more than once, 

 in view of the possibility that the eggs may not be affected. 



