144 



BUTTEEFLIES AND MOTHS. 



course of caterpillars suddenly vanishes (without being 

 cleared off), the creatures are not gone; they have 

 only gone away to change to chrysalids in a safe place, 

 and will reappear presently in a new shape, ready to 

 start a new attack. They will usually be very near 

 their food-plant : grass-feeders will most likely be in 

 the earth beneath the grass ; at least they certainly 

 are in the case of the Antler Moth {Cliarceas graminis), 

 the dark brown and pale striped caterpillars of which 

 feed at the root of pasture grass, and the attacks of 



if.: ' '^^- -^- 



• Fig. 114. — Antler Moth or Grass Moth, and caterpillars. 



which are remarkable for only occurring occasionally, 

 especially in mountainous districts, and for these 

 appearances being in such vast numbers, and over 

 such a large extent of country, as to be an amazement, 

 and sometimes even the cause of local panic, to those 

 not acquainted with their habits. 



The common Cabbage and Turnip surface cater- 

 pillars will be found thus (or when time has elapsed 

 for their change to take place), in chrysalis state, on 

 or in the ground near where they fed. 



The Beet and Mangold Moth (Silver Y Moth) cater- 

 pillar spins a cocoon on, or not very far from, the 

 plants it infested ; and in all these cases, and scores 

 of others, much good may be done by turning up the 

 chrysalids, destroying the weeds they harbour in, and 

 using all other methods of treatment, which a moment's 

 thought will suggest, to destroy the pests. 



Clearing all weeds that attract the Moths is one 

 method of preventing increase. The constantly in- 



