Abstract
THE black-currant mite (Eriophyes ribis) is a pest only too well known to fruit-growers at the present time, and also one which seems to be rapidly increasing and spreading. Anything that will check its ravages is therefore of great importance, and it is satisfactory to learn that two new parasites of this mite have been discovered and their life-histories- described by Miss A. M. Taylor in the April issue of the Journal of Economic Biology. The first of these is a minute fungus of the genus BotrytiS, near akin to the one which attacks silkworms. This fungus, which is deadly in its action on the mites, makes its appearance when the currant-buds begin to swell abnormally owing to the presence of the mites. Spores of the fungus become blown on such mites as are exposed by the bursting of the buds, and under suitable conditions rapidly develop on their new hosts. Neighbouring mites are speedily infected, and the disease spreads until the tiny parasite has worked completely through the bud, destroying not only the mites and their eggs, but the grub by which they are accompanied.
Article PDF
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Economic Zoology . Nature 80, 447–448 (1909). https://doi.org/10.1038/080447a0
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/080447a0