60 CLEAR-WINGED. MOTHS. 
THE CURRANT BORER. 
(Sesia tipuliformis Linn.). 
This insect was described and illustrated in the first: an- 
nual report of the entomologist, but to have all the descrip- 
tions of lepidopterous insects injurious to our fruit trees 
together in one volume, it is repeated. 
The currants in all their varieties, as well as the different 
kinds of gooseberries, have no greater enemy than theaboyve 
borer. The damage it causes is so much greater than that 
inflicted by other enemies of these plants, because a whole 
cane, even a whole plant, may. be killed by a single borer, 
nor can its work be noticed until the injury has been done. 
Like so many of our destructive insects it was introduced 
from Europe with the plants that it destroys, but it is now 
more injurious here than in its original home. The insect is 
illustrated in Fig. 62, Plate IX, where its work, the larva, 
empty pupa and adult are shown. A glance at the latter 
shows that it is a beautiful moth. When seen in June upon 
the bright foliage of currants, it is indeed an elegant insect, 
in whatever position it may be observed. It shows to the 
greatest advantage, however, when making love to its 
mate. In this case the male dances about very gracefully, 
rapidly opening the fan-like feathers at the end of the ab- 
domen; and as the whole insect is clothed in glossy scales it 
reflects all the prismatic colors. The adult insect, as seen in 
the illustration, is quite different from ordinary moths, hav- 
ing its wings but partly covered with scales, the uncolored 
parts being glassy, hence the reason why such moths are 
frequently called “glassy wings.’’ Such moths resemble flies 
and wasps, and are frequently mistaken for such; in fact 
’ 
they sometimes mimic such stinging insects so effectually 
that even a well trained entomologist has some scruples 
about capturing them with his hand. Some of these moths 
carry this resemblance so far as to even threaten to sting, 
