— ii5 — 



This insect is very subject to the attacks of parasites. From a 

 single nest from which we bred only sixteen moths, there emerged 

 eighty-seven Ichneumon flies. It is evident that in this case the 

 majority of the larvae were destroyed by the parasites. This is 

 probably the reason that the species is kept tolerably well in check 

 in most parts of the country. 



In case this insect becomes destructively abundant, it can be 

 easily checked by cutting out the nests and burning them before 

 the moths emerge. As the insects reach maturity in July, some 

 of them early in that month, the destruction of the nests should 

 be done not later than the last of June. 



THE CHERRY-TREE SCALLOP SHELL MOTH. 



Hydria tindidata. 



Order Lepidoptera ; family Geometridae. 



In July and August, fastening together the leaves of the endsvof the branches 

 of the cherry, more often the wild cherry, and feeding within them col- 

 onies of small measuring, worms, each with four w T hite stripes on a 

 black ground above, and flesh colored below. 



Ix July and August the terminal leaves on the outer branches 

 of cherry trees, both the cultivated and wild species, but more 

 frequently the latter, are often found curiously fastened together 

 with their upper surfaces turned inward, and with several of the 

 lower leaves drawn down and securely fastened at their edges 

 over the leaves just above by many silken threads. Each leaf is 

 so fastened as to present an outward convex surface, thus leaving 

 an inner cavity which forms a nest or home within which the 

 larvae that made the nest live. These larvae hardly ever appear on 

 the outside of their home except when a new leaf is to be attached 

 to it. The larvae feed entirely on the pulp of the leaves and their 

 upper skin, which has now become the inner surface of the nest, 

 leaving the framework of veins and the lower skin of the leaf ; 

 these continue to constitute a secure wall to the nest. As more 

 food is needed the lower leaves are drawn down one after the 

 other and tied to the nest ; until in some instances, where there 

 are many larvae in the nest, these narrow bags or nests attain a 

 length of from one to two feet. The first leaves die and become 



