INSECT ATTACKS AND REMEDIES 141 



of the insect are confirmed. The attacks are, 

 however, curiously erratic, the trees in one 

 portion of a plantation suffering severely, 

 whereas in an adjoining section, and apparently 

 under similar conditions, not a vestige of the 

 pest can be detected. 



It is a small dark grey moth, less than a 

 quarter of an inch long ; while the caterpillar 

 is about the same length, of a dirty-yellow 

 colour, the head being black. The larva 

 burrows beneath the bark of the younger 

 shoots, and finally works its way to the centre 

 of the stem, causing the death of the affected 

 part. Several preventive remedies have been 

 tried in the case of single trees, such as spray- 

 ing in early May, at which time the eggs are 

 deposited on the young shoots, with petroleum 

 emulsion. Smoke from burning branches has 

 been successful in restricting the attacks of the 

 insect, but in the case of a whole plantation 

 such remedies are out of the question. In 

 thinning a plantation, removal of as many 

 injured trees as possible is recommended, and 

 in the nursery pruning off affected shoots has 

 had good results. 



