346 



FRUIT INSECTS 



References 



Fitch, 3d Rept. State Eiit. N. Y., pp. 427-428. 1856. 

 Saunders, Rept. Ent. Soc. Ont. f., 1874, pp. 18-19. 1875. 

 Riley, 9th Rept. Ins. Mo., pp. 3-7. 1877. 



The Pepper-and-salt Currant Moth 



Lycia cognataria Guenee 



Currants and gooseberries are sometimes defoliated by a 

 geometrid caterpillar or measuring-worm which, when full- 



gro\vn, is nearly two 

 inches in length; it 

 varies in color from 

 sea-green to brownish- 

 gray or brownish- 

 black and is marked 

 with indistinct lines 

 and spots of green 

 and yellowish. When 

 at rest it clasps a twig 

 with the posterior 

 pairs of legs and holds 

 the body extended 

 rigidly outward; it is then easily mistaken for a dead twig, 

 which it closely resembles in form and color (Fig. 306). It is 

 a general feeder and rarely becomes a pest on currants. This 

 species occurs in the Eastern states and Canada. 



The caterpillars become full-gro^vn in early July and trans- 

 form to a dark brown pupa in the ground. At least part of the 

 pupae give rise to moths the same season, about the middle of 

 August, but it is quite probable that some of this brood hold 

 over till the following spring. The rather heavy-bodied moths 

 (Fig. 305) have an expanse of about two inches ; the wings are 

 gray, dotted with dark brown and crossed by two wavy bands of 

 mahogany brown on the outer third. Moths of the spring 



Fig. 305. 



The pepper-and-salt currant 

 moth (x 1|). 



