162 



INJURIOUS INSECTS AND FUNGI. 



[Sept. 1895. 



INJURIOUS INSECTS AND FUNGI 

 The Damson Mite (Bryohia pruni ?). 



Damson trees have suffered severely in many places from the 

 action of this mite, which is apparently a new species of Bryohia. 

 It is distinct from Bryohia pretiosa, which infests and much injures 

 gooseberry trees, and in the absence of any evidence as to its 

 nomenclature, it may be described as Bryohia pruni. Soon 

 after the leaves were formed on the daiTlson trees little reddish 

 specks were seen on their under sides. In course of time the 

 leaves became dull yellow, and the whole tree presented an 

 unhealthy appearance vv^hich wms noticeable at a considerable 

 distance. The leaves lell in some instances, in others they seemed 

 as if stricken by drought or frost. Mites of all sizes in mature 

 and immature stages, and of many shades of colour, swarmed 

 on the lower parts of the leaves, which were also dotted with 

 eggs, especially along the sides of the midribs. Trees that have 

 been badly infested by these mites seemed to be generally in a 

 very unhealthy condition, and some have died. 



Life History, 



This species of Bryohia found upon damson trees appears to 

 be undescribed. It differs in colour and shape from Bryohia 

 pretiosa, which attacks gooseberry and currant trees. Professor 

 Riley alludes to a species of Bryohia that infests plum trees in 

 tlie Pacific Coast regions, but was not able to find any characters 



