434 



Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [10 July, 1916. 



destroyed by the arsenical sprays, Paris green, or arsenate of lead. The 

 latter spray causes the hedges to look as if they had been whitewashed; 

 but after the insects have been destroyed, which is about a day, the 

 hedges should be hosed, and all traces of the spray will disappear. 



The Vine Moth. 

 This is probably one of the commonest moths found in Victoria; 

 it is recorded from every locality where vines are cultivated, and is one 

 of the vignerons' greatest enemies. The moths deposit their eggs on the 

 vine, and these soon hatch, and the young caterpillars at once commence 

 to feed. The first brood 

 generally appears in 



October, and after a few 

 weeks enter the pupa state 

 about the beginning of 

 December, the moths emerg- 

 ing about the end of 

 December. It will thus be 

 seen how rapidly these in- 

 sects increase. The larvae, 

 when newly-hatched, are of 

 a dark greenish-black 

 colour ; but as they increase 

 in size, the colouring be- 

 comes greenish-yellow. This 

 moth is a native insect, but, 

 unfortunately, is one that 

 forsakes its native food for 

 something which is no 

 doubt easier eaten and 

 more palatable. When vines, 

 fuchsias, or Virginian 

 creepers are attacked, spray 

 with arsenate of lead. 

 Another moth, the vine 

 hawk moth, probably an in- 

 troduction from Europe,, is 

 also destructive to our vines. 

 Its larva is a formidable- 

 looking creature, sometimes 

 greenish in colour, and 

 sometimes brown, measur- 

 ing often 3 inches in 

 lensfth. 



Fig. 11. — The Vine Moth. 

 {Agarista glijcine, Lewin.) 



Tomato Moth. 

 One of the worst pests of tomatoes is the tomato moth. It belongs 

 to the cutworm moths (Agrotis, Heliothis, &c.). These caterpillars 

 hide just under the soil in the day time, and at nigrht come up and eat 

 the tomatoes. At other times, the moths deposit their eggs on the 

 tomatoes, and the young, as soon as they emerge, commence to bore into 

 the tomato, and in a very short time the inside is eaten out. The cater- 

 pillars are about an inch long, of a dirty, brownish colour. They are 

 usually curled up just under the soil. The female moths hide in the 

 day time under wood, old bags, weeds, &e., and in the evening fly about 



