2. THE WOOD LEOPARD MOTH. 



Trees Attacked. Like the Goat Moth, this pest has 

 importance both for the forester and the fruit-grower. The 

 caterpillars of Zeuzera cesculi feed in the stem and branches 

 of a number of broad-leaved trees, e.g, lilac, lime, sycamore, 

 birch, beech, oak, sweet chestnut, ash, willow, poplar, and 

 such fruit trees as apple, pear, and cherry, where they may 

 cause considerable harm. The horse chestnut, from which the 

 scientific name of the moth is derived, is not so frequently 

 attacked as other trees. In the case of this insect, the cater- 

 pillars are not found many together in an attacked stem, but 

 generally singly. The presence of the caterpillar may be 

 betrayed by its copious out-throw of frass and wood-coloured 

 excrement. The moth is frequently found in the Metropolitan 

 districts, and sometimes causes considerable destruction to trees 

 and shrubs in the public parks and private gardens of the 

 Metropolis. 



Description. Moth. The moth, which is named 

 " Leopard " on account of its spotted wings, measures 1 between 

 2 and 3 inches in expanse of wings in the case of the female, 

 the males being smaller. The fore wings are white, with a 

 number of black or blue-black spots. The hind wings are 

 similarly marked, but the spots are fainter. " The thorax is 

 white, with 6 large dark spots arranged in pairs, and a smaller 

 spot between the hindmost pair. 



Caterpillar (1). The full-grown caterpillar may measure 

 2 inches in length. It is white or yellow- white in colour with 

 black spots; the head is dark, the joint behind the head 

 bearing a black shield or plate, whilst a black plate is also 

 present on the last segment. 



Pupa (2). The pupa is brown and may be found at first just 

 below the place of exit, and later, after the emergence of the 

 moth, it may be seen projecting from the tunnel in" the infested 

 tree. 



