432 



Insect, Fungus, and other Pests. [sept., 



sugar, mixed with the Morels, and pour the whole over the fried 

 breadcrumbs, which have been previously put into a dish. 



Morels dry readily if placed in a" current of air, and in this 

 way may be kept for seasoning soups, &c, during the winter. 



A large number of specimens of diseased or insect-infested 

 crops have been submitted to the Board during the past few 

 weeks, gooseberry plants affected with 

 Notes on Insect, Fungus, the European mildew being numerous, 

 and other Pests.* Moths. — Wax Moth. — Chrysalids from 

 Newbury proved to be those of the Wax 

 Moth, which is sometimes harmful in beehives. The moth 

 flies in the evening ; if it fails to enter the hive, eggs may be 

 laid in chinks and crevices, but the sides and bottom of the 

 frames are where the eggs are commonly laid, and it has been 

 stated that a favourite place is as near the brood combs as 

 possible. The caterpillars on hatching burrow through the 

 comb, and full-grown ones pupate under cover of a cocoon. 

 It is the experience of beekeepers that the moth is only to be 

 feared : (a) Where the colony is a weak one and unable to 

 cover the combs ; (b) where the hive is queenless ; or (c) where 

 combs are allowed to remain without attention. Combs or 

 pieces of comb should not be allowed to lie about, as they are 

 used by the moths for egg-laying. Spare combs should there- 

 fore be kept in protected places. The signs of infestation are 

 the presence of caterpillar excrement on the floor boards and 

 glistening webs spun by the caterpillars. The coverings of the 

 hive and the floor-boards should be examined in spring and 

 autumn, and any caterpillars found should be destroyed. Italian 

 bees are more able to protect themselves than the black bee. 



Clear-wing Moth attacking Poplar. — A poplar near Leeds 

 was found to be attacked by the larvae of the Hornet Clear- 

 wing Moth (Sesia apiformis). Twenty-six bores were counted 

 in the stem of the poplar, and it was observed that the 

 old bore holes were mostly inhabited by spiders. The hornet 

 clear-wing is i \ to if in. in spread of wing and § to i in. in 



* 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. 



