1907.] Insect, Fungus and other Pests. 



353 



mens of cherry trees tne timber of which was infested with 

 larvae of a Lamellicorn beetle closely resembling those of 

 Cetonia. Certain identification was then difficult, but the 

 larvae were kept, and 15 specimens of the beetle have now been 

 bred out. It is found that the beetles are Gnorimus nobilis, 

 a species which is rare in Britain, but has been taken from the 

 rotten wood of fruit trees — amongst others the plum tree. 

 G. nobilis is described by Fowler as a rare and probably disap- 

 pearing species, although it may possibly become common. 

 Thirteen specimens have lately been taken from a tree in 

 Buckinghamshire. 



Flies. — A number of specimens of flies and their maggots 

 attacking crops have been received. 



Gall-Midge on Lime. — Injured specimens of inflorescence of 

 lime from Kew Gardens were found to be infested by one of 

 the Gall-Midges or Cecidomyidcz, the species being Cecidomyia 

 Mice. Several galls were present, some containing larvae and 

 others pupae, the larvae not falling away when full fed, but 

 pupating in situ. The adults are described as issuing in August. 

 Petioles and young shoots are infested by the insect, the galls 

 induced being multilocular, or many-celled. 



Wheat Midge. — Specimens of wheat from King's Lynn, 

 where much of the wheat crop is stated to be similarly affected, 

 were infested by the Wheat Midge, Cecidomyia (or Diplosis) 

 tritici. This little insect deposits its eggs in the ears of the 

 wheat, and, owing to the feeding of the maggots, the young 

 grains of corn fail to reach maturity. When full grown the 

 larvae or maggots fall to the ground and pass the pupal stage a 

 little below the surface. 



Nothing can be done against the larvae in the ears. When 

 any crop has been infested ploughing should be deep, in order 

 to ensure that the pupae are buried with the surface soil, thus 

 preventing the adult midge reaching the surface. Another 

 important point lies in the fact that the maggots may be 

 harvested with the grain, and the refuse and chaff after 

 threshing may contain many. Hundreds have been seen in 

 such refuse heaps, which should be burnt, or the midges will 

 duly issue in the next year and proceed to egg-laying. A few 

 Thrips (see below) were found in conjunction with the midges. 



Maggots in Mushrooms. — An inquirer sent specimens of 

 (2061) z 



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