1020 



Spurrey as a Forage Crop. [march, 



Phaedon betulae, and is found both on white and on brown 

 mustard. Thus on June 7th, 1909, a correspondent wrote : 

 "I have eight acres of brown mustard, about a foot high, 

 growing very fast. Yesterday I discovered all the tops of 

 the plants covered with small black beetles." On examina- 

 tion these proved to be Meligethes and Phaedon working 

 together. 



The adult beetle is little more than T \ inch long. It varies 

 somewhat in colour, but typically is brassy green or deep 

 green, with the thighs darker. 



The larva is a grub with six walking legs on the thorax, and 

 at the hind end of the body a process of service in locomotion. 

 In colour the grubs are greyish or yellowish white; the head 

 is dark. 



Life-History. 



The beetles lay their eggs in the opening buds, and both 

 adult beetles and larvae may be found at work in the blossom. 

 The grub, on being full-fed, falls to the ground, and enters 

 the soil for pupation. 



Other Phaedon Species. 



Phaedon cochleariae (F.) is smaller and brighter blue than 

 betulae, and feeds on Crueifers. 



Phaedon tumidulus (Gerv.) is found on Umbelliferous 

 plants, e.g., on the wild cow parsnip or hogweed (Heracleum 

 sphondylium). I have had it from two Umbelliferous crop 

 plants. In July, 1905, it was sent to me from Yorkshire as 

 harmful to celery. The correspondent wrote: "The beetles 

 seem to commence operations at one end of a row of plants, 

 and work steadily along the row, absolutely destroying the 

 plants; the beetles are. in hundreds." 



In August, 1905, it was sent to the Board from Settle, 

 where, along with another Chrysomelid, it was destroying 

 parsley. 



The identification and eradication of Spurrey (Spergula 

 arvensis, L.) as a weed were dealt with in this Journal in 

 July, 191 1 (p. 292). In that article it 

 Spurrey as a was stated that "in certain Continental 



^^fo^use' countries, especially Belgium, a variety 



on Sandy Soils. of spurrey is grown as a fodder crop, 

 and is even sometimes converted into 



