258 



FOREST ENTOMOLOGY. 



Fig. 246. Trachea piniperda 



(Pine- Beauty Moth). 



Trachea piniperda, Panz. (Pine-Beauty Moth). 



This is the only species selected from the very large family of noc- 

 turnal moths generally known as Noctuse. There are other species of 

 arboreal habits belonging to this group, but this will probably be 

 sufficient for the purpose of this Avork. 



This species is exclusively an arboreal one. The larva? feed on the 

 twigs of Scots pine trees, and may be beaten from them in June 



and July. In colour the larva has a pale- 

 brown head, and the body varies from 

 dark -olive to rich oil -green. It has five 

 longitudinal white stripes. It is not often 

 recorded as being numerically strong, and 

 therefore cannot be considered as a pest. 

 The moth, fig. 246, appears in April, 

 and may be found adhering to the bark. The antennas of the male 

 are serrated and those of the female simple. The head is compara- 

 tively small. The fore wings are of a bright 

 reddish-brown colour mixed with orange, and 

 the hind wings are grey-brown. 



DlORYCTRIA ABIETELLA, Zilick. 



The larva? of this species are injurious to the 

 cones of the spruce fir (Picea excelsa) and silver 

 fir {Abies pectinata), fig. 247. As the larvae live 

 within the cones during the latter part of 

 summer and early autumn, the affected cones 

 may not at first be recognised. When very 

 much eaten, as represented in fig. 247, they are 

 of course easily noticed, but in the early stages 

 of the injuries it is best to collect the cones and 

 lay them out singly on a clean floor or on a 

 paper, and then select those from which the 



frass may be seen escaping. They may then be put aside in 



a vessel, and wait till the perfect insect appears in the following 



July. 



The larva is of a dirty reddish or greenish colour, with darkish back 



and slightly side-striped. Head and shield brown. 



Fig. 247. Cone of silver 

 fir (Abies jiectinata) 

 partially eaten by larva/ 

 o/Dioryctria abietella. 



