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The Genus EUPITHECIA. 



Of these moths, known to collectors under the general name of 

 Pugs, about fifty species are enumerated in the British list, and of 

 these I have taken twenty-three in Cumberland. They are difficult 

 to name, and I have sent all that I have taken to other collectors, 

 so as to have them named correctly. I have taken a great many 

 in the pupa state ; and the perfect insect chiefly at rest on trees, 

 walls, and fences. Rose Castle and Newbiggin are among the 

 chief localities, but I have taken them most commonly at Orton. 



As a representative of the entire group, I shall choose The Green 

 Pug (E. rectcmgulata). This is another of the moths whose larvae 

 do much mischief to the apple and the pear trees. They feed on 

 the blossom of the fruit trees, as may be seen by examining the 

 discoloured blossoms that fall off the trees, nipped as if by the 

 frost. These shew the small perforation and the fine silk threads that 

 clearly point to the former presence of this destructive little pest. 

 I have seen the apple trees at St. Ann's Hill covered with blossom 

 one day, and in less than a week afterwards, completely stripped 

 through the ravages of the larvae of the Green Pug. The Tits and 

 the Bullfinch render great service in keeping down their numbers, 

 and instead of being destroyed under the impression that they 

 are themselves the authors of the mischief, these birds deserve 

 protection and all the encouragement the owners of fruit gardens 

 can possibly afford them.* They feed also on the Crab (Pyrus 

 malus), and I have found them in abundance on this tree at 

 Orton. They are also plentiful at Bellevue, where I use every 

 endeavour to keep down their numbers. The larvae are very 

 active and quick-sighted, and soon make their escape when they 

 are disturbed, or even when only looked at. 



[Ypsipetes elutata. Common in Cumberland. ■Ed.'\ 



The Beautiful Carpet (Melanthia albicillata). This local moth 

 is found with us in all our woods around Carlisle in June, when 

 they may be easily seen resting on the trunks of trees. On the wing 

 they are difficult of capture, on account of their habit of flying very 



* See the remarks upon this subject by Messrs. Guen^e and Newman, in 

 Newman's 5r;V/j^ Moths, p. 145. (Ed.) 



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