i68 TREE WOUNDS AND DISEASES 



The Magpie Moth (Abraxas grossulariata). 

 This, one of the commonest and most destruc- 

 tive of its family, derives its popular name 

 from the beautiful black and white markings 

 on the wings, which resemble those of the 

 magpie. The body of the insect is about 

 an inch long, and the wings, when fully 

 expanded, if inch from tip to tip. The 

 caterpillar is particularly destructive to the 

 leaves of the gooseberry, though frequently 

 the foliage of the plum and other allied fruit 

 trees suffers from its attacks. It is i inch 

 long, and, like the moth, distinctly marked 

 with black and white, while an orange band 

 runs along each side of the body. In early 

 spring the caterpillar devours the freshly de- 

 veloped leaves, and when full-fed about mid- 

 summer turns into a pupa, from which emerges 

 the moth in mid-August. The most approved 

 remedy is an application of arsenate in spring 

 and autumn. Liming the soil beneath the 

 tree is also to be recommended. 



The Vapour e r Moth (Eombyx (Orgyia) antiqua). 

 -Few British hard-wooded trees are exempt 

 from the attacks of the caterpillar of this widely 



