1907.] Insect, Fungus and other Pests. 



355 



It was impossible, therefore, to obtain specimens for com- 

 parison. Through the courtesy of Mr. C. O. Waterhouse and 

 Mr. W. F. Kirby, of the British Museum, the Board have been 

 informed that the Natural History Department of the British 

 Museum possesses similar specimens, which are labelled 

 Pemphigus fraxini, possibly a synonym for the so-called 

 P. nidifwus. In Buxton's British Aphides there is no mention 

 whatever of a Pemphigus on the ash. 



Thrips in Wheat. — Specimens of wheat infested by thrips 

 (Thrips cerealium) were sent from Horsham and Worcester, 

 while a few occurred in the specimens of midge-infested wheat 

 from King's Lynn. The thrips insect is exceedingly small, 

 and, living in the ears of corn, sucks away the sap, so causing 

 the grain to shrivel. Unfortunately, it is impossible to 

 combat it when in the ear. As, however, the pest hibernates 

 among the stubble, &c, deep ploughing should take place as a 

 preventive measure. By such means the insects are deeply 

 buried and are unable to reach the surface. 



Among other pests submitted to the Board were beech 

 infested with the Felted Beech Coccus (see Leaflet No. 140), 

 sent from Much Hadham, Herts. ; Currant Mite from Farn- 

 borough (see Leaflet No. 1) ; and Pear Leaf Blister Mite, 

 Eriophyes pyri, Sch., from Preston. 



Fungi. — A number of plants infested with fungus diseases 

 have been received during the past month, and short notes 011 

 a few of these are given below. 



" Straw Blight " in Wheat. — From Linton, Cambs., the 

 Board received a sample of wheat of which a great deal in the 

 neighbourhood of Linton was said to be " going off just after 

 the grain is about three parts developed " This wheat was 

 attacked by the fungus Ophiobolus graminis, Sacc, which 

 causes disease of wheat in Europe and Australia. The disease 

 is known by several names, among which may be mentioned 

 " Foot Rot " and \' Straw Blight " of Europe, and " Take All " 

 of Australia. The fungus lives in the soil and attacks the roots 

 of wheat and other gramineous plants. 



An article on the subject appeared in the Journal of the Royal 

 Agricultural Society so long ago as 1872, and a note on this fungus 

 also appeared in the Board's Journal for June, 1904, p. 154. It 

 has been found in New South Wales that 0. graminis is most 



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