204 
F. W. SELVESTEE,-EEPOET ON INSECTS. 
the ravages of Anthomyia ceparum (onion-fly), and in gardens of 
very light soil the grub of Tipula oleracea (crane-fly) was very 
troublesome. Aphides were not prevalent this season, a few only 
of Aphis rumicis and Aphis Rota being noticed. Earwigs were a 
great pest, several houses and gardens in this locality swarming 
with them. I have found comparatively few lady-birds as yet; 
small tufts of them have existed through the recent severe winter.” 
Dr. Brett has forwarded to me the following communication with 
regard to a plague of earwigs :— 
“ Mr. James, of Leavesden, informs me that he has never seen 
so many earwigs as in 1886. He first noticed them after the hay 
harvest; and in harvest when unloading a load of oats, often a pint 
of earwigs might be noticed. They greatly injured the turnips 
and swedes, eating out all the soft part of the leaves and leaving 
the ribs. They were also, he was told, very destructive all over 
the Chalk Downs at Dunstable and Dagnal, and also at Chenies.” 
Dr. Brett adds :•—“ I am told that earwigs are nocturnal in their 
habits, and that they sometimes pass over the road in such numbers 
as to make it quite dark, and in the day-time burrow underground. 
I am also told that earwigs do good by eating the green fly on the 
rose trees.” 
Mr. Littleboy, of Hunton Bridge, has also noticed the plague 
of earwigs, and many queer stories about their erratic doings have 
been sent to me. 
In conclusion I beg to thank all who have kindly contributed to 
this report, and to express the hope that next year more observers 
will favour me with their notices. 
