138 SHORT NOTICES, [1899 



working witli those of this infestation that there was no reason to 

 doubt their identity. He noted them as " dreadful pests." 



On April 27th I had a note from Mr. Cecil H. Hooper, of finding 

 the attack in his orchard at Highlands, Swanley, Kent, and as he 

 mentioned that he "saw lots of it in Nova Scotia" in the previous 

 year, this also is presumably an accurate identification. 



A third observation, which I believe to have been quite correct, 

 was sent me on April 28th from Charsfield, Wickham Market, Suffolk, 

 and in this instance a good supply of caterpillars were sent me for 

 identification. 



A list of about a dozen places was sent me where this Bud Moth 

 attack was believed to be the cause of mischief present on fruit trees ; 

 but, as I had neither details nor specimens of the attacked and infested 

 young leafage or buds for technical examination, I am wholly unable 

 to offer a trustworthy opinion on the matter. This more particularly 

 as there is another attack, that of the very small reddish or brownish 

 caterpillars of the '"Pith Moth" [Laverna atni), which, though it 

 differs from the above in method of damage (as this is carried on by 

 working up the centre of the stems just below the bunches of Apple 

 blossom), yet to some degree has a resemblance in its effects. The 

 bunches of budding blossoms and of young leaves are to be found 

 withered and destroyed by effects of the Pith Moth attack, though not 

 spun together, as with that of the Bud Moth. 



It would probably be very useful to Apple growers to know more 

 about these attacks, and especially whether that of the Bud Moth is 

 really prevalent, and, if I should be favoured with specimens, I would 

 gladly give full attention and report to the senders. But I would 

 earnestly beg that they would let me have some samples of the spun- 

 together or injured state of the young leaves and blossom buds, for it 

 is an absolute impossibility to identify from a caterpillar or two, 

 perhaps not a quarter of an inch long, and in unnatural conditions 

 very likely affecting the colours. 



The following notes convey a short description of the history 

 during the year of the Bud Moth infestation. 



About August or September the little caterpillars, which are then 

 not more than the sixth of an inch in length, desert the leaves of the 

 Apple or other trees on which they have been feeding, and, creeping 

 to the twigs, spin silken cases in which they pass the winter. 



In spring the caterpillars, which are of a brown colour, with 

 nearly black head, and black plate on the next ring, come out of their 

 cases and proceed to eat into the nearest swelling and opening leaf- 

 bud, or possibly they time their attack a little later, when the buds 

 are about half opened, and feed on the central expanding leaves and 

 flowers, tying them together with their silken threads. At this stage 



