4 APPLE. 



sides, from the third to the twelfth segment inclusive, of which the 

 row down the middle of the back is the broadest and the most 

 observable. The spiracles are black, so also are the claw- and sucker- 

 feet for the most part (unless yellow within). The caterpillar is 

 full-grown in September, when it changes to the pupal state, which is 

 dark brown, punctate, and shining, terminating in two forked pro- 

 cesses (see figure, p. 1). 



When the time for their change has come, the caterpillars descend 

 the stems of the trees, on the leaves of which they have fed, and crawl 

 actively in any direction that may suit their views, whether over dusty 

 roads, flagged pathways, or anywhere else, till they find a suitable 

 locality for turning to the chrysalis state, under fallen leafage, or in 

 other shelter, or at the surface of the ground, without the protection 

 of any web or cocoon. 



I had the opportunity of watching the damage caused by these 

 caterpillars on roadside trees wdiilst for some years I was resident at 

 Spring Grove, near Isleworth ; but, not being able to give their habits 

 in full detail, much of the above is abridged from Newman's ' British 

 Moths,' p. 3, as stated in the foot-note. 



Prevention and Eemedies. — The best methods are shaking the 

 caterpillars down and destroying them, catching and killing the moths 

 when they are found coupled on the trunks of the trees which they 

 frequent, or collecting the caterpillars or turning on poultry to clear 

 them away from beneath the trees of which they have been observed 

 on the leafage. 



To collect the caterpillars. — Jarring or shaking the branches causes 

 them to fall in great numbers. Any method which gives a good hard 

 shake will answer the purpose, such as use of a pole, or throwing 

 sticks or handfuls of gravel at colonies that may be out of reach. If 

 they are high up on a tree, up which a man can safely climb to within 

 reach of them, an old worn-down birch broom fastened at the end of a 

 long pole is a very good implement. Beginning at the highest of the 

 infested branches and working downwards, the caterpillars which may 

 have caught on the lower boughs can thus be dislodged, and the worn- 

 down stump of the broom makes a good instrument for raising the 

 smaller boughs sharply, so that they come down again with a jerk, 

 and also it will beat the boughs without there being danger (as in the 

 use of a hard and heavy pole) of injuring soft bark. 



Directly the caterpillars reach the ground, it is likely that they 

 will turn their heads to the tree from which they have been shaken, 

 and re-ascend the stem and re-estabhsh themselves. Therefore it is 

 desirable, before beginning operations, to put a band of hay or straw, 

 well tarred, on the ground round (but clear of) the foot of the tree 



