238 



FOREST ENTOMOLOGY, 



the folded leaves and injuring the leading bud and shoot. This is 

 the larva of Depressoj'ia eontermineUa. 



It should be noted that several species of Lepidoj^terous larvae 

 do similar damage, so that the injury represented in fig. 235 should 

 not be taken as solely due to the species given. The species in 

 question, however, was most injurious in Cheshire to osier rods 



(Sdlix viminalis). I am obliged to IMr J. 



Collins, Oxford, for the identification of 



this species. 



Deprbssaria assimilella, Tr. 



If an inspection of broom be made from 

 ]\rarch to the beginning of May, it will be 

 found that the twigs are often very much 

 drawn together, as in fig. 236. If the 

 twigs are separated at the points where 

 they overlap, it will be found that a small 

 brown larva lives within the folds, and has 

 injured them very considerably. This is 

 the larva of Depressaria assimilella. 



The moth appears in June and July. 

 L^^ vjl The fore wings are of a pale ochreous colour, 



'•('/'^CMi ^^""^ about 9 lines in expanse. The antennae 



are dark-brown. 



It cannot be said that this species is of 

 any great economic importance, but it 

 often happens that broom is grown for 

 ornament or covert purposes, and in such 

 cases the insect may be considered a 

 pest. In order to effect remedial meas- 

 ures it would be well to top the broom 

 while the creature is in the larval stage, and burn the prunings. 

 When broom is cultivated it is well to prune off the tops in any 

 case, either in early autumn before the frosts appear, and thus 

 prevent the winter winds from blowing the bushes about, or a/te7' 

 the spring frosts and prior to the vigorous growth of early summer. 

 Thus the adoption of practical work is a remedial measure against 

 the pest. 



236. — Shoots of broom drawn 

 togdher by larvce o/Depressaria 

 assimilella. 



