38 B.C. Entomological Society. 



The Tussock-moth (Semerocampa antiqua) (Lymantriidre). 



During the past two summers the larvre of this moth has beeu very destructive 

 to azaleas, laurel hedges, and hollies in the city, and may be found on such trees on 

 the boulevards as elm. birch, willow, poplar, maple, chestnut, ash, mouutain-ash, 

 as well as on the varieties of ajiple. The attack on the last-named trees is likely 

 to pass notice until at a last moment, in a year of special prevalence, when parasites 

 are limited, the attack becomes so marked that great damage results. City Hfe is 

 particularly suited to the growth and reproduction of this insect. The matter of 

 control is a very simple matter, for the reason that the female is wingless, and 

 consequently is forced to remain localized on one tree, provided it is not transported 

 artificially or by contact of branches to anothei-. At this time of year, during the 

 winter, the egg-masses may be seen in a cluster of dead leaves still adhering to the 

 trees on the streets. In the experience of other cities in Canada, notably to my 

 knowledge in Toronto with Hemerocampa leucostigma, the attacks hy this insect 

 in past years has become so pronounced at times that the city authorities liave 

 found it expedient to follow the recommendations of the entomologists. Boys were 

 employed on the bounty principle to collect these egg-masses' during winter. Up 

 till the present time Vancouver and other Coast cities have not suffered to any 

 marked extent, but the presence of these caterpillars during the past two seasons 

 would indicate that close watch should be kept for fear of an outbreak in the future. 



The Text-caterpillar (Malacosomu erosa) (Lasiocampidre). 



Tliis is :n](ither insect which appears as a periodical destructive visitant. When 

 it dues iici iir it causes an extreme amount of damage to shade-trees and shrubs in 

 these ijarts (Vancouver). It is fully dealt with in Bulletin No. 4 of our series; 

 consequently it does not need to be mentioned to any extent here. 



The Fall Web-wobm (Hyphantria cunea) (Aretiidfe). 



During the past few years this insect has not been over-plentiful. During the 

 years surronmlinj.' 1003 the webs of this Arctiid were "very conspicuous." It is my 

 impression that it is again obtaining an ascendancy over its parasites, for the 

 unsightly webs frequently recur to one's notice. 



The Cutwokms {Peridroma saucia) (Noctuid;e). 



Cutworms of all descriptions have proven themselves at times destructive, Imt 

 the above species, this past summer and in former years in the Province and on 

 the Coast, has beeu especially injurious to many kinds of plants in tlie garden. 

 The greasy-looking worms are mostly nocturnal feeders, and only in eases of extreme 

 prevalence do they adopt daylight-feeding habits. Frequeutlj^ one finds a plant very 

 badly defoliated or suddenly cut off at the ground, and for a time one is at a loss 

 to assign the cause or observe the culprit. By carefully sifting the soil around the 

 plant the cutworm may be found. If it belongs to the above species it will be, when 

 full grown, about 1% inches in length, dull brown in colour, mottled grey or black, 

 with a row of four to si.x yellow spots on the back. Asa control for this class of 

 insect a mixture of 50 lb. bran, sugar syrup, and 1 lb. Paris green, all mixed together 

 and placed around a plant in the evening, will be effective. 



The Diamond-backed Moth (PhitcUa maciiUpcniiis). 



A small green worm measuring about li inch or rather more when full grown 

 has been very desti-uctlve this year, more so than in any of the past three years 

 to my knowledge. Stocks and sweet peas suffered greatly, as did the cruciferous 

 garden-truck crops. The larva is very active when disturbed and quickly falls to 

 the ground. The cocoon Is formed on the leaves of the plant attacked, and Is 

 recognized as a delicate silk gauze-like structure resembling "a loose-mesh piece 

 of lace. Within this cocoon the larva forms its pupa. There are at least two broods 

 and probably a third supplementary brood in the Eraser Valley. 



