Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 June 2009
In April 1934 Mr. W. E. H. Hodson, Advisory Entomologist, Reading University, sent the writer a portion of narcissus bulb exhibiting disease symptoms. The bulb was a trumpet daffodil, of the variety “Sir Watkin,” from a stock which had been growing in the Isles of Scilly for 40 years or more and had probably never been hot-water treated. It contained a number of nematodes belonging to the genus Aphelenchoides which differed in certain anatomical features from other members of this genus. Good specimens of the worm were not very numerous or favourable for detailed investigation but some measurements and drawings were made at the time and it was hoped that at a later date further and better supplies of the organism would become available. In July 1934 the same species of nematode was found in a portion of diseased narcissus bulb sent to the writer by Mr. L. N. Staniland, Advisory Entomologist, Seale-Hayne Agricultural College, Newton Abbot, when the same peculiarities of structure and appearance were again noted and found to be constant.