276 



Insect, Fungus and other Pests. [July, 



Phyllodecta (Phratora) vitellines and Galerucella, while Galeru- 

 cella lineola was also forwarded for identification from South 

 Petherton (Somerset). In each case the beetles were severely 

 damaging the infested beds. The eggs of the latter beetle soon 

 hatch (they have been hatched indoors in a week), and as the 

 grubs from the eggs join the beetles in feeding on the leaves 

 the damage is likely to increase rapidly. 



The two beetles may be dealt with in the same way. When 

 the beetles are feeding a good plan is to send boys round the 

 beds to brush or shake the pests on to tarred boards or into 

 vessels containing paraffin. Thousands may be accounted 

 for in this way and much egg-laying consequently prevented. 



In a case where G. lineola did much damage two years ago, 

 spraying experiments with Paris green and arsenate of lead 

 were suggested, and a report was made in favour of Paris 

 green. This should be bought in the paste form. As it does 

 not dissolve in water, care should be taken to keep the mixture 

 well stirred or the leaves will be scorched. The Paris green 

 poisons the beetles, which devour it with the foliage. The 

 owner of the willows also reported favourably on a paraffin- 

 emulsion spray prepared by dissolving 1 lb. of soft soap in 

 1 gallon of boiling water, adding 1 pint of paraffin to this 

 while still boiling hot and churning the mixture until an 

 emulsified buttery mass results. Sufficient water should then 

 be added to make 8 gallons and the whole stirred thoroughly.. 

 An acre was sprayed with this mixture with excellent results. 



As a preventive measure the beetles should be destroyed 

 if possible in their winter quarters. 



Mustard Beetle. — Information was received from Bourne 

 (Lines.) that much damage was being done by the mustard 

 beetle (Phaedon betulce), a short account of which was given 

 in this Journal for July, 1907, p. 214. 



Flies. — Several specimens of flies and their larvae were 

 received. From Framlingham were sent specimens of the 

 so-called fever fly (Dilophus febrilis), a note on which will 

 be found in this Journal for July, 1907, p. 219. Sciara flies 

 or fungus gnats (Journal, June, 1907, p. 162) were received 

 from the same source, and also specimens of St. Mark's fly 

 (Bibio Marci) so-called because the adult issues about St. 

 Mark's day. B. Marci was also sent from Totteridge (Herts) , 



