98 INSECTS WHICH PREY UPON AGRICULTUEAL PLANTS. 



which they form chrysalides when the winter is over, and emerge 

 fully fledged in March or April. 



Hypena rostrcdis (the Hop-vine Snout Moth). — The upper 

 wings of this insect are of a brownish tint, variegated with dark 

 lines across the middle, and it is provided with a large upcurved 

 beak or rostrum. The caterpillar, which lives on the hop leaves, 

 is green, with a fine white stripe down each side, and it forms a 

 chrysalis in a web spun over an incurved leaf. There are two 

 broods in the year, April and July. Syringing the bines is the 

 only remedy that can be applied. 



Hepiahis humuli (the Otter Moth). — The larva of this insect 

 will feed on carrots and other root crops, though hop roots are 

 its natural food. It is yellowish white in colour, with a few 

 scattered hairs, and grows until it is from one to two inches 

 in length. The wings of the imago, deflexed when closed, are 

 satiny-white on the outside, and dusky brow^n on the inside, and 

 while flitting about in the twilight they appear and disappear 

 suddenly, and thus have got the name of '•' ghost-moths." The 

 female, which is much the larger, lays her eggs in June, and the 

 young caterpillars immediately bury themselves and commence 

 their depredations. 



Bonibyx trifolii (the Clover Egger Moth). — The large ochreous- 

 coloured caterpillar of this moth lives on clover leaves, often 

 attaining the length of three inches ; it spins a cocoon, and 

 eventually comes out a large moth. The horns are inserted 

 towards the back of the head, and form nearly a straight bristle. 

 The wings, which expand two inches and a half, are deflected 

 when closed, and form a ridge down the back. 



Leucania ohsoleta (the Oat Wainscot-Moth). — The caterpillar 

 of this moth attacks oats by notching the edges of the leaves. 

 They are of a flesh colour, about one and a half inch long, and 

 feed only at night ; if touched, they curl up and fall down. 

 After hybernating in the stubble, they descend into the soil in 

 spring to become chrysalides, emerging as moths in June. They 

 are particularly plentiful in fenny districts among the reeds. 

 The wings are of a satiny texture, freckled with black, and 

 expand one and a half inch ; the under wings are white, a 

 little freckled, and ochreous at the margin. 



Euclidia c/lyphica (the Burnet Moth). — The stems and leaves 

 of clover fall a prey to this insect. The larvae are of a buff 

 colour, striped, with the head and belly brown, and get the name 

 of " semi-loopers " from their peculiar action in walking. They 

 conceal themselves among the lower leaves of clover, and undergo 

 their transformations in an elongated white cocoon, the chrysalis 

 being brown, powdered with blue. The head and thorax of the 

 imago are of an orange brown colour, the body black. The 

 upper wings are rosy brown, with a dark patch at the base, and 



