124 TREE WOUNDS AND DISEASES 



destructive insect, and attacks not only the 

 leaves but buds and inflorescence, and usually 

 works from the top of the tree downwards. 

 Where only a single or few oaks are attacked, 

 spraying may be resorted to, but hardly any 

 remedial measure can be adopted in a clump 

 or plantation of the tree. Starlings, rooks, 

 and other birds destroy vast numbers of this 

 pest, and should be encouraged. 



The lackey moth (Clissiocampa neusfria), so 

 called from the gay colours of the caterpillar, 

 is another destructive woodland pest, eating 

 wholesale the leaves of the oak, elm, beech, 

 poplar, and most fruit trees. In April and 

 May the caterpillars are hatched, when the 

 leaves are just unfolding. They form a nest 

 or web of silken hairs, generally amongst the 

 smaller branches, in which they live during 

 the day, sallying forth in the evening to feed 

 on the tender foliage. Being very plentiful, 

 they are usually difficult to deal with ; but 

 hand-picking and destroying the cocoons are 

 the only practicable methods of meeting the 

 evil. Being an enemy of fruit trees, it is also 

 dealt with in the chapter on that subject. 



