LEPIDOPTERA. 271 



important factor in the life-history of the insect viz., that the gall 

 takes two years to reach maturity. The generation is therefore a bien- 

 nial one. The eggs are laid in May, just under the whorl of buds, 

 which are bursting, or about to burst, into the growing shoots. The 

 caterpillar bores into the pith, and this being the most active period in 

 the life of the plant, causes the growth of a hollow gall resinous mass, 

 about the size of a pea, and in this abode the larva passes the winter. 

 In the following spring the larva 

 continues feeding, but meanwhile 

 the gall rapidly increases in size to 

 that of an average gooseberry. A 

 section of a gall shows that it is 

 divided into two chambers by a strong 

 vertical partition : in one the larva 

 lives and pupates, and the other 

 contains its excrement. The pupal 

 period is very short, and the moth 

 flies about May the generation thus Fig 258 ._ Retinia resine y a . 



extending over two years. 



It generally attacks trees from six to ten years of age, but, as a 

 rule, the injury to the forest, or even to individual trees, is very 

 trifling. 



The moth (fig. 258) has a wing expanse of 16 to 18 mm. Head, 

 antennae, thorax, and abdomen dark brown-green, or lightish grey 

 dusty covering. Fore wings dark black-brown, with shining grey 

 transverse lines ; hind wings grey-brown ; fringes pale. 



The larva is about 11 mm. long, and of an orange-brown colour. 



Family TINEI. 



Genus Hyponomeuta. 



In many parts of the country, more especially in lanes, we 

 often find bushes defoliated and covered with a sort of net, in 

 the interior of which are a large number of small larvae of 

 the genus called Hyponomeuta. They are popularly known as 

 the small " ermine moths," but they are comparatively large for 

 " micros." 



