152 THE POTATO. 



are transformed into pupae. The latter are of a reddish- 

 brown or chocolate colour, and hibernate in the earth-cells 

 until the following season. These grubs do a lot of injury 

 to the tubers, eating holes in them similarly to the injury 



HEART AND DART MOTH AND LARVA (Noctua e.rclamationi*). 



done by the Dart Moth larvae. They also feed on the 

 foliage. 



REMEDIES. Experience has shown that the best remedy 

 for this pest is to employ women or young folk to pick up 

 the larvae by hand. Dressing.;; of lime, soot, and salt have 

 not proved effectual. Thoroughly hoeing the soil between 

 the rows will also prove effectual in killing these grubs. 



Death's Head Moth (Acheroiitia atropos). The 

 larvae of this handsome moth feed upon the foliage of the 

 potato, but are rarely present in sufficient numbers to do 

 any serious harm. The moth is very large, measuring four to 

 six inches across the spread of its wings. Its upper wings 

 are black, with an ashy tint, and its lower ones bright 

 orange ; both wings are also marked with other tints. On 

 the thorax is an orange-coloured figure representing a 

 human skull, hence the common name of Death's Head. 

 The moth utters a plaintive squeak like that of a mouse. 

 The larvae are of the size of a lad's finger, and upwards of 

 three inches long. Their colour is a yellowish green, with 



