INSECTS INJURIOUS TO CONIFEEJ3. 59 



that it confined its ravages to the Conifers alone, it never- 

 theless depredates severely on many of the deciduous 

 trees. It is particularly troublesome on the Arbor Vitaes, 

 and in a very short time will completely demolish every 

 vestige of foliage on the plant. We have also seen its 

 silken cases very numerous on the Larch and the Decidu- 

 ous Cypress, as well as on the Plemlock Spruce. 



The little insects are exceedingly numerous, and rapidly 

 multiply if not destroyed when first observed. The young 

 worm is quite timid, and upon the least noise or disturb- 

 ance of any kind, immediately withdraws into its cover- 

 ing, which closes up tightly at each end, thus securely pro- 

 tecting it. 



The female is without wings, and never leaves her chrys- 

 alis until her approaching dissolution, which takes place 

 after depositing her eggs in this singu- 

 lar, basket-like case. The male moth 

 is at least J inch in length, of a dark 

 brownish color, and is extremely shy 

 and impatient of confinement. Its 

 ordinary shape is shown in Figure 10 ; 

 it has the power of extending its abdomen after the man- 

 ner of a telescope, as seen in Figure 11. Immediately 

 upon hatching, early in the spring, the 

 little worms scatter over the sur- 

 rounding foliage, and each soon pre- 

 pares a little basket for itself, which 

 is enlarged as its occupant needs 

 more space. The only method of 

 eradicating them is to pick the nests, 

 or baskets, off by hand, and dc- 

 stroy them by burning or otherwise. 



Galls* We have noticed, of late, curious resinous galls 

 or excrescences on the ends of the shoots of some Pines, 

 and particularly on the Scotch Pine, which may possibly 

 belong to the Tortrix, or some allied genera. Its manner 



