1908.] Insect, Fungus and other Pests. 



277 



while Sciara larvae were also received from Chiswick. For 

 a brief account of B. Marci see the Journal, July, 1907, p. 218. 



Specimens of cabbage from Waltham Cross were infested 

 with the maggots of the cabbage root fly (Phorbia brassicce), 

 the small pieces sent containing no less than five puparia and 

 nine maggots. (See Leaflet No. 122). 



From Bourne (Lines.) were received specimens of pears 

 infested by the larvae of the pear midge (Leaflet No. 53), a 

 pest which is stated to have gradually increased in the district 

 during the past four years. It has done very great damage 

 to all varieties of pears during the present spring. 



Various Specimens. — Many other specimens of insect and 

 other pests were received. Aphides were severely attacking 

 willows at Ormskirk. (See Leaflet No. 104, Aphides or Plant 

 Lice), while American blight or woolly aphis (Leaflet No. 34) 

 was infesting apple specimens from near Bristol. Brown 

 Lecanium scale was found on plum trees from Halstead (see 

 Journal, June, 1908, p. 195). Black currant mite (Leaflet 

 No. 1) was sent from Bury St. Edmunds. The pear-leaf 

 blister mite (Phytoptus pyri) from Wellington, Salop, was found 

 to be causing minute blisters or warts on the leaves of pear. 

 When a tree is badly attacked the leaves fall early, and the 

 fruit is usually deformed, hard and gritty. Diseased leaves 

 should be picked by hand and destroyed not later than July. 

 (See also Journal, March, 1908, p. 743). Red spiders on 

 gooseberries were received from Newchurch (Isle of Wight). 

 Millipedes (Leaflet No. 94) were causing much damage to young 

 peas, parsley, &c, at Llanymynech (Mont.), and mealy bug 

 was found in a vinery in Jersey. 



Gall Mite on Lime. — Leaves of the lime, from Broadstairs, 

 were infested with the gall mite (Eriophyes tiliae), which causes 

 growths or galls. These " nail " galls, as they are termed, 

 are hollow and lined with numerous hairs, among which the 

 microscopic mites live. The details of the life history of the 

 mite are not yet known. If the migrating period could be 

 ascertained, dusting with lime and sulphur might be practised 

 as in the case of the black currant gall mite. 



Woodlice and Mites in Poultry House. — A correspondent in 

 Kilmarnock has been much troubled with feather eating among 

 his poultry. This complaint, caused by a mite described in 



