Horticultural Pests: Detection and Control
George Fox Wilson
Biotech Books
Horticultural Pests: Detection and Control
GEORGE FOX WILSON (1896-1951)
· Horticultural Pests: Detection and Control
George Fox Wilson
BIOTECH
2008
Bio tech Boo ks Del hi - 110 035
GEORGE FOX WILSON (1896-1951~ First Indian Impression 2003 Second Indian Impression 2008 ©Reserved
ISBN1081-7622-059-0 ISBN13978-81-7622-059-0 EAN 9788176220590
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Foreword THE first edition of this work entitled 'The Detection and Control of Garden Pests' is a lasting memorial to my colleague the late G. Fox Wilson. The book provides vast fund of information, and enables persons of all walks of life to have a ready means of recognizing the many symptoms of pest damage, and the methods of controlling the pest concerned. This approach is simpler for the layman than getting bogged down with the intricacies of the habits and life-cycle of the creatures concerned. The fact that a second edition was published two years later, underlines the merit of the work, which in time will be regarded as a classic in its own subject. It is perhaps a little unfortunate that the earlier editions were published at the same period as a number of new synthetic chemicals were introduced, including the now familiar DOT and BHe, because in the succeeding years these chemicals have provided new and simpler methods of controlling horticultural pests, and in consequence some of the control measures advocated in the earlier editions are outdated. It is therefore very appropriate that a third edition should be published, and it is still more fitting that this formidable task should be undertaken by Dr. P. Becker, Entomologist to the Royal Horticultural Society at Wisley, where G. Fox Wilson carried out his studies for over thirty years. Dr. Becker's task has not been a simple one because he regarded it imperative to maintain the same high standard set by his predecessor, and whilst desiring to keep to the same format as closely as possible, it was also necessary to present a resume of up-to-date knowledge of this very wide field of pest control and hygiene. Dr. Becker has achieved all these objectives and he is to be congratulated for the high standard and competent manner in which he has achieved his goal. It is particularly appropriate that this third edition should originate from Surrey, and from Wisley, wJ:tere G. Fox Wilson did most of this work. The addition of coloured plates and the large number of halftone photographs add very materially to the value of this practical manual which is assured of continued success. A. M. MASSEE.
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Author's Preface to the First Edition THE experience of the author as an advisory officer, a, teacher and an examiner in entomology, has been of value in indicating the angle from which a knowledge of plant pests is viewed by those whose knowledge of plant pathology is limited. This book is designed to meet the needs of the horticultural student, of Advisory Horticultural Officers and Inspectors, and of commercial and amateur growers who require guidance both as to the animal organisms that are primarily responsible for injury to crops and as to the direct and indirect methods for avoiding and controlling pest outbreaks. Technical terms have been reduced to a minimum, and lengthy descriptions of individual pests in the several stages of their life-cycle have been omitted, as such information is readily available elsewhere. The untrained worker finds considerable difficulty in identifying species of insects from the descriptions given in scientific works, and he must of necessity rely chiefly upon the type of injury produced on plants by such organisms. It is highly desirable for all who are concerned with the growing of plants to possess a general knowledge of pests, their life-cycles and their feeding habits, and to have some understanding of the factors that promote healthy growth by carrying out the principles of good cultivation. Special stress is, therefore, laid upon the diagnostic characters of pest injury, and the excellent series of photographs by the author's colleague, Mr. F. C. Brown, should aid the reader to recognize without difficulty the more important pests of horticultural plants from the nature of the damage they do. This book is a revised and considerably expanded version of a series of articles on the 'Symptoms of Pest Attack on Plants' that appeared in 'The Gardeners' Chronicle' during the years 1932-6, and the author expresses his appreciative thanks to the Editors for their permission to reproduce in part the subject matter previously published by them. The term 'Advisory Entomologist' is a partial misnomer, by reason of the wide range of animal organisms that command his attentionin the role of an Applied Zoologist, he becomes a General Practitioner with a definite bias towards diagnostic characters in plant injuries. A vast amount of diseased plant material is submitted to him in the course of the year, and some is passed to his colleagues for their specialized knowledge in virus, bacterial and fungal diseases and in nutritional and functional disorders. vu
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Author's Preface
The outstanding work of the late Prof. H. Marshall Ward, entitled 'Disease in Plants', exerted a great influence on the author's outlook early in his career, and was a source of inspiration in studying cause and effect in problems relating to plant pathology. The relationship that exists between host and parasite requires the close attention of the plant pathologist to enable him to make a correct and speedy diagnosis of diseased material submitted for examination. The correspondent in seeking advice can ease the burden of the Advisory Officer by submitting adequate and typical material of diseased plants. Too often, unfoltunately, meagre samples that are carelessly packed so that they are completely desiccated upon arrival will try the patience of the recipient and cause disappointment to the victim of the outbreak when he is notified that the material submitted is totally inadequate for purposes of identification. The measures outlined for the control of the various pests are partially or completely effective as far as our present state of knowledge allows. Continual progress is being made in the field of pest control, and it is inevitable that certain measures herein outlined will become outdated in a short time. The Entomologist requires the cooperative aid of the Chemist as well as that of the Mycologist, Plant Pathologist, Physicist and Physiologist before many of the problems that confront the grower are solved. One criticism often levelled against the plant pathologist is that he is concerned only with direct methods of control, chiefly chemical in the application of insecticidal and fungicidal washes and dusts, but the indirect methods of pest and disease avoidance by good, clean and thorough cultivation are the concern of all whose interest lies in the production of healthy crops and plants. A further criticism is the vexed question of scientific names, which change from time to time owing to the fact that the Systematist must perforce follow the laws of priority as laid down by the International Rules of Nomenclature. This somewhat difficult matter cannot be overcome until a final standardization of names has been settled. This book is dedicated with the author's compliments and grateful thanks to his Entomological Colleagues, without whose direct and indirect aid through personal discussion of their problems and a close study of their published work this book would not have been attempted. The value that may be in this book is due to them; the errors are those of the author. The author desires to express his sincere thanks to the Council of the Royal Horticultural Society for permission to publish this book, and to his colleague, Mr. F. C. Brown, whose continued interest in preparing the iIIustrations has been a source of inspiration, and who
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Author's Preface
has kindly helped in proof-reading. He also expresses his warmest thanks to his wife for executing the drawings, preparing the Indexes, proof-reading, and for her valued help and encouragement during the preparation of the typescript. G. Fox WILSON.
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List of Colour Plates
BETWEEN PAGES 124 AND 125 COL. FIG. J
Foliage of Pear damaged by Pear Leaf Blister Mite (Eriophyes piri NaI.).
COL. FIG. II
Foliage of Plum curled and coate
