276 



FOREST ENTOMOLOGY. 



This could easily be done in the nursery-lines, and also in a young 

 plantation, though it would obviously be more practical in the 

 nursery. Pruning by checking the worst of the double shoots should 

 be done during the summer following an attack, as an ash is a tree 

 which is very much depreciated in value if allowed to become forked. 

 In glens or valleys where ash has been planted in a very con- 

 genial position, much good may be done by cutting down the young 

 damaged trees to the ground and allowing them to spring up again, 

 Avhich in sheltered spots they do very rapidly. 



Genus Depressaria. 



The genus Depressaria is the largest of the sub-family Gelechiidse, 

 numbering just over forty species. They are remarkably character- 

 istic from the broad flat appearance of the moths in repose. Wings 

 two and a half times as long as broad, tip rounded, hind margin 

 nearly parallel to anal angle ; hind wings nearly as long as fore wings, 



with the hind margin indented 

 near anal angle ; palpi long, ascend- 

 ing, curved, and often furnished 

 in middle with dense tufts of 

 scales. 



Depressaria conterminella, 

 Zeller. 



Fore wing reddish - ochreous ; 



base of wing pale yellow, rather 



sharply defined. A pale ochreous 



. , a ,. . . ... spot on disc, and near it an 



Fig. 264. Leaves of osier (Salix viminahs) 1 ' 



drawn together by larva of Depressaria oblique, crescent - shaped, black 

 conterminella. i > i ' 



streak. A series of short black 

 marks along the costa ; hind margin before cilia narrowly bordered 

 with a black line. Head and often thorax pale ochreous ; hind wings 

 uniform dark-grey. Length 18 to 20 mm. 



If osier-beds are examined during the latter end of May, it will 

 be found that many of the leading shoots present the appearance 

 shown in fig. 264. If the whorl of leaves be unfolded, it will be 

 found that a small wriggling larva has been protecting itself within 



