554 



Insect, Fungus and other Pests. [dec, 



I find that a few mere puffs of tobacco smoke are sufficient 

 to render these Psocids lifeless, but with a view to their exter- 

 mination the chief aim should be the complete destruction by 

 fire of severed diseased portions. Wounds which have not 

 reached too acute a stage may be painted with an emulsion. 



Fig. 4 is a magnified sketch of the head and jaws of a Psocid. 

 These organs are, of course, minute, yet their characteristics 

 hardly seem consistent with those of insects which are exclu- 

 sively fungus feeders. Probably the Psocidcz nibble the bark 

 so pertinaceously that small wounds are occasioned and thus 

 lead to the admission of fungi ; in view of the admitted fact 

 that the tiny punctures of the larch aphis (Chermes) are a pre- 

 disposing cause of larch canker, the subject is worth attention. 

 In answer to the suggestion that the jaws may enable them to 

 feed on other minute insects found in their habitats, I must 

 reply that so far I have failed to find any other species existing 

 side by side with the Psocids. 



The illustrations are all from nature. 



James Scott. 



Beetles. — Several enquiries relating to beetles have reached 



the Board during the last month or two. One correspondent 



, ; enquires how much gas-lime should be 



Notes on , ° . 



: applied lor use against wireworms 

 Insect, Fungus and rr n . XT . • ° v , 

 Other Pests * (-Leaflet No. 10). Gas-lime may be 

 applied at the rate of three or four tons 

 per acre to land which is to carry an oat or turnip crop the 

 following year. It should be spread as early as possible in 

 autumn in, order that it may be thoroughly exposed to the air 

 before the land is ploughed. Gas-lime is poisonous to crops 

 when fresh, owing to the presence of certain compounds of 

 sulphur. If exposed to the air for six or eight weeks, however, 

 it is quite safe. Apart from its effect on wireworms gas-lime 

 forms an excellent dressing for oats, producing a luxuriant ! 

 growth, while it is also useful on meadows. It is, however, 

 somewhat apt to produce coarse grass and, if used, the hay I 

 crop should be cut early. 



* Notes on insect, fungus and other pests, dealing with the specimens submitted 

 to the Board for identification, and their apparent prevalence, will appear in this 

 Journal month by month. The notes commenced with the issue for June, 1907. 



