SMALL OR GARDEN SWIFT MOTH. 41 
Small or Garden Swift:Moth. Hepialus lupulinus, Linn. 
HeEpIALUS LupuLINUS.—Moth, caterpillar, and chrysalis. 
The Small or Garden Swift Moth is a very common insect; but in 
caterpillar state it is seldom reported, although, when it does appear, 
it has a power of doing mischief, truly described by John Curtis long 
ago, as scarcely equalled by the Surface Grubs. This is one of the 
attacks which really is much influenced by weather. The season of 
ravage is autumn, winter, and spring, and though we have no record 
of cold killing these grubs, it keeps them quiet; whereas in an open 
winter like that of the early part of the past year (1896), they” et can 
creep about in the unfrozen ground and feed as they please. 
In the year 1885 I had a marked observation of the powerful effect 
of weather on them, notes being sent me from near Bishop’s Stortford 
in the early spring of destruction to a crop of strong healthy winter 
Beans, by means of these grubs gnawing the stalks in two a little 
below the surface to such an extent that the grower feared about two 
acres of the twenty were hopelessly ruined. This showed the activity 
of the caterpillars ; but on an investigation being made on the morning 
of March 10th, which was frosty, i+ was found that some of them med 
gone down quite deep into the solid ground. 
In our ordinary seasons there would be many periods between the 
beginning of November and March when the frost-bound state. of the 
ground would free us temporarily from the ravages of at least this 
pest, and I conjecture this to be the reason why its presence ig so very 
seldom noticed. I am not aware that since 1885, now eleven years 
ago, I have had any observations of these Garden Swift caterpillars 
worth record until the open season of the early part of 1896 allowed 
them freedom of movement. 
The caterpillars feed at the roots of many kinds of crops; and as 
the moths are especially recorded as to be found at laying time 
hovering over grassy places, I have placed this year’s notes amongst 
Grass pests; but Strawberry, Raspberry, Potato, Lettuce, and Parsnip; 
amongst garden plants the Snowdrop and the Auricula; amongst 
