1857.] jEgeria Exitiosa. 307 



A knowledge of the habits of noxious or troublesome insects, will 

 many times enable us to devise methods for their counteraction. In 

 the instance of this insect, a very simple remedy to prevent its 

 depredations has been suggested, and I am happy to say that experi- 

 ence has, to some extent, confirmed its efficacy. 



The ^geria in its perfect or winged state, is closely allied to the 

 moth family. The fact is probably universally known, that aromatic 

 Oils of all kinds are peculiarly offensive to that family of insects. — 

 Every house-wife knows that a quantity of Camphor, Turpentine, 

 Oil of Tansy, or Tobacco, placed in her drawers, containing woolen 

 clothes, will effectually preserve them from attacks of the common 

 moth. 



It is evident that the same plan, under some form, may be em- 

 ployed to repel from the peach tree the jEgeria^ in its moth state ; 

 and it is only in that state in which it deposits its eggs. 



Tobacco, Sulphur Coal-ashes and Coal-tar have been tried with 

 partial success — but they are temporary, and require to be often re- 

 placed. 



Tansy and Wormwood contain large quantities of essential oil, 

 which is peculiarly offensive to this insect; and it ig found, that if 

 the body of the peach tree be surrounded by half a dozen sprouts 

 of either of these vegetables, it will secure it against the approaches 

 of this destructive enemy. 



They should be planted out in the spring, nearly in contact with 

 the body of the tree, and so as to surround it. During the summer 

 they should be cultivated, and kept free from grass. In this way 

 they form a permanent and successful means of defense against the 

 ixiseet that has nearly exterminated the peach tree from many sec- 

 tions of the country. 



It is probable the Chanipodium anthelmintician, the plant that 

 furnishes the wormseed-oil, and perhaps some other bitter and aro- 

 matic vegetables, would answer equally well. 



Female. Body veiy dark steel-blue, with a tinge of purple : autenuas destitute ot 

 cilliffi ; palpi beneath, black : thorax immaculate : superior wings steel-blue, without 

 any hyaline spot : inferior wings hyaline, with an opMjUc margin and longitudinal line; 

 the latter and the costal margin are dUated : tergum bright reddish — fulvous. 



Pupa with two semifaccire of spines upon each of the segments, excepting the three 

 terminal ones, which have a single row only. 



Follicle brown, oblong-oval, composed of small pieces of bark and earth, closely 

 connected together by the web of the animal. 



