380 



PROTECTION AGAINST INSECTS. 



b. Life-history. 



The moth appears from October to December, and the <? 

 flies especially at evening-time. 



The eggs are first greenish, and later on reddish ; in all 

 200 to 300 are laid, either separately or in clusters of 3 or 

 more, on buds, veins of leaves, and points of twigs of almost 

 all broadleaved trees. The ? ascend the trees usually by the 

 east and north-east sides, which are protected from rain. 



The caterpillars hatch at the end of April or in May, are 

 full grown by the middle of June, and in July let themselves 

 down by threads from the crowns of the trees in order to 



Fig. 168. Geometra brumata, L. 

 a Male. b Female. c Caterpillar. d Pupa. 



pupate ; this takes place at the bottom of the trees in a smooth 

 hole 2 to 3 in. deep in the ground. 



Generation annual. Very widely distributed and common, 

 a well-known orchard pest* throughout England. 



c. Relations io the Forest. 



The caterpillar attacks several broadleaved trees, especially 

 orchard trees, the oak, hornbeam and lime ; to the former, 

 especially to apple and pear trees, it is most destructive, the 

 fruit-crop being weakened or destroyed. When young, the 

 caterpillar bores into buds through the side, and later attacks 

 blossoms and leaves, as well as the green shoots and young 

 fruits. It continues to spin during these attacks, and when 

 disturbed will let itself down and climb back again to the tree 

 by a thread. After destroying the foliage of standards over 



* Vide. Miss Ormerod, o/t. rif., p. 338. 



