REPORT OF TEE ENTOMOLOGIST AND BOTAMST. 235 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



THE GKEEA'HOUSE LEAF-TYEK 

 (Phlyctaenia ferrugalis, llhn.=-Botis harveya.ia, Grt.). 



Attach. — Slender semi-translucent green caterpillars, when full-grown, nearly an 

 inch in length, with two distinct black spots (one on each side) close behind the head, 

 the green dorsal vessel showing distinctly down the middle of the back, bordered on 

 each side with a double white band ; feeding on the cellular tissue on the lower sides 

 of the leaves. In many cases the leaves are drawn together by threads of fine silk. 



In my last report the above insect was treated of at some length, and, as it is 

 now still prevalent in the same locality (Toronto) and has appeared in other houses 

 in Hamilton, I again draw special attention to it, for unless checked it is liable to 

 spread and possibly become a serious greenhouse pest in Canada. In Toronto last year 

 the larvae did much harm, causing considerable loss to roses, but this year the species 

 is also attacking violets and chrysanthemums. On November 12, Mr. Arthur Gibson, 

 of this Division, paid a visit to the houses of Mr. J. H. Dunlop, Toronto, and specimens 

 of the larv^ in all stages, pupas and moths were found in some abundance. In one 

 of the chrysanthemum houses especially, the insect was very prevalent and numbers of 

 the moths were flying at the date mentioned. In this house some eggs were found, 

 and these have since hatched in the office and proved to be the same species.* The 

 eggs were laid on the under side of the leaves. They are flattened and remarkably 

 like those of the Codling Moth, dirty- whitish, about one-half mm. in width, round, 

 strikingly iridescent, the surface coarsely reticulated (which gives them a slightly 

 roughened appearance), and are laid sometimes singly, in pairs, or in clusters of 3 

 to 7, the eggs of which overlap at the edges. The work of the caterpillars 

 was only noticed on the underside of the leaves, and in the case of the mature larvaa 

 large pieces of the soft tissue were eaten away. The caterpillars were generally found 

 to be within a slight silken web, and in many cases two leaves were brought together 

 and fastened by threads of silk, the larva feeding on the soft tissues on the underside 

 of the upper leaf. The young caterpillar, as soon as it hatches from the egg, is about 

 one-twelfth of an inch in length, and of a semi-translucent creamy-white colour, with 

 a large black head. The body bears slender whitish hairs, and the skin is smooth and 

 shining. After they have been feeding, the colour of the green food contents gives 

 the caterpillars a slight greenish appearance. In the second larval stage, pale whitish 

 stripes are present on the body, and these, as the larva passes through its other, stages, 

 become more distinct. When mature the caterpillars are about three-quarters of an 

 inch in length, slender, semi-translucent, with the dark-green dorsal vessel showing 

 distinctly through the skin, but rather faint on segments 2, 3 and 13. On each side 

 is a double white sub-dorsal band which is also rather faint on segments 2, 3 and 13. 

 On segment 2 are two distinct black spots, one on each side of the dorsal area. Head 

 about one twenty-fifth of an inch in width, bilobed, smooth, shining, whitish, splashed 

 with brownish blotches on cheeks and bearing a few pale hairs. Mouth parts brownish; 

 ocelli black. Spiracles white and very small, joined by a faint whitish line. On 

 segments 2, 3 and 4 this line is represented by a few faint white dots and is obsolete 

 on segment 13. Thoracic feet and prolegs of the same colour as the body ; the 

 thoracic feet each bear exteriorly two black dots, one above the other. The whole body 

 is sparsely covered with slender pale hairs, the ventral surface being lighter in colour 

 than the dorsal. When at rest these caterpillars have a habit of curling round to the 

 side of the body their heads and the first three or four segment?. The duration of the 

 pupal stage is from seventeen to twentj'' days. The moth is of a rusty-brown colour, 

 and when the wings are spread measures a little over five-eighths of an inch in width. 

 When at rest it measures three-eighths of an inch at widest part. • The wings are 

 crossed with darker lines and also bear darker markings. 



As to remedial treatment, the picking of the leaves on which the catei*pillai*s are 

 at work is recommended, and in the Toronto houses good work in this direction has 



• Many eggs have since been secured from moths kept In confinement. 



