50 DESTRUCTIVE INSECTS OF VICTORIA: 



attack, as cereals, maize (especially), vines, garden plants, 

 &c., are attacked in turn ; and in America the losses sus- 

 tained by growers through the ravages of these cater- 

 pillars are enormous. In Victoria, as well as in other 

 countries, we have numerous other genera and species of 

 Noctuidae, many of which are pests of the worst kind. 

 In New South Wales, the late Mr. OllifF tells us, there 

 are usually three or four broods, which will account for 

 these caterpillars being so frequently with us. Whole 

 volumes have been published on this pest. As these 

 moths are known here to produce more than one brood 

 in a season, it Avill be hardly necessary to jioint to the 

 advantage of dealing quickly and effectually with the 

 early broods, as if these can l)e kept in check it would 

 have a very desirable effect on subsequent hatchings. 

 To those contemplating a search for the eggs and pupge, 

 it may be said that the former are a dirty yellowish white 

 in colour, and in warm weather take but a few days to 

 hatch out. The pupa (see Figs. III. and IV.) is of a rich 

 brownish colour, and the size of those in the plate. Mr. 

 Olliff says that the typical form is, perhaps, that in which 

 the larv96 is longitudinally striped with white and dusky 

 grey. In this form the following markings are commonly 

 seen : — On each side of the body a broad lateral whitish 

 stripe, extending from the head to the anal joint ; above 

 this a narrow dusky stripe, including a tine white line, 

 and bordered on either side with four or five very delicate 

 whitish lines. Each abdominal segment has eight dark 

 spots or tubercles (see Fig. III. and on plant) ; many of 

 the caterpillars are almost without markings. Frequently 

 the fore wine-s exhibit no markino;s whatever, whilst manv 

 individuals have the typical markings (see Fig. II.) 

 greatly exaggerated. These moths are also day flyers, 

 and on a recent visit to the Fernshawe district of Victoria 

 thousands of these moths were seen in a raspberry 

 garden flying about in the strong sunlight, now and then 

 alighting upon the leaves of the plants, but no egg-laying 

 could be detected. In the economy and life history of 



