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bruniata], the clouded drab moth [Tnenlocampa incerfa], the mottled 

 umber moth [Hyhernia defoliaria], with smaller numbers of the lackey 

 moth {Malacosoma neusfria), and the little ermine moth [Hyponomeuta 

 padellus]. At the same time, the apple sawfly [Hoplocampa testudinea] 

 and hairy caterpillars have been conspicuous by their absence, and 

 there has been only a very small proportion of winter moth larvae. 

 As a control, arsenate of lead or a mixture of lead arsenate and sulphur 

 should be applied just before the buds open. If deferred till the 

 blossom is out, there is the danger of poisoning the pollen for bees. 

 This does not apply to plums, as there is nothing for the poison to 

 cling to until the blossom is partly open. 



The Caterpillar Plague. — Gardeners' Chronicle, London, Ixi, 1591, 

 23rd June 1917, p. 255. 



The winter moth [Cheimatobm bnimata], the umber moth [Hybernia 

 defolmria], the March moth [Anisopteryx aescuhria], the pepper and 

 salt moth \Amphidasys betuhria], the clouded drab moth [Taenio- 

 campa incertu], and several species of Tortrix, were found on apple and 

 pear trees in Kent in the spring of 1917. Opinion is divided as to the 

 use of greased banding, as this is difficult to fix in such a way that 

 minute larvae cannot crawl under it. Lead arsenate spraying has 

 however proved very successful. Experience has shown that the 

 moths do not travel far in search of a host-plant. Hedges in or near 

 orchards are very dangerous as breeding grounds. 



Theobald (F. V.). The Caterpillar Attack on Fruit-trees. — Nature, 

 London, xcix, no. 2486, 21st June 1917, p. 326. 



Apples, cherries and plums in Kent, Sussex, Hereford and Worcester, 

 have been attacked by Cheimatobia brumnia (winter moth), Hybernia 

 defoliaria (mottled umber moth), and Phigalia pedaria (pilosaria) 

 (the pale brindle beauty moth), the worst damage having been done 

 in plantations near oak woods. Anisopteryx aescularia (March moth) 

 has been reported in comparatively small numbers. From several 

 localities increasing damage due to Taeniocampa incerta (instabilis) 

 (clouded drab moth), and the continued attacks of Malacosoma 

 {Clisiommpa) ')%eustria (lackey moth) and Hyponomeuta jjadellus 

 (little ermine moth) have been notified. The loss incurred has been 

 due to lack of skilled labour for banding and spraying, and also to the 

 great winter mortality among sparrows, which, when nesting, devour 

 the larvae of the winter moth and keep it in check. 



A. C. B. The Celery Fly and Parsnips. — Gardeners* Chronicle, London, 

 no. 1592, 30th June 1917, p. 261. 

 Owing perhaps to drought and to late sowing, the larvae of Acidia 

 heraclei, L. (Tephritis onopordinis, Curtis), the celery fly, have seriously 

 attacked young parsnip leaves. As there may be as many as six 

 generations in the season, immediate control measures should be 

 undertaken. In small plants, the brown patches on the leaves may be 

 squeezed to kill the larvae, but in large plants it is better to cut off and 

 destroy the whole leaf. Dusting the plants, while still damp, with 

 soot or powdered lime, or spraying with quassia extract or with 

 paraffin emulsion at regular intervals, give good results. 



