INSECTS AND PLANTS 77 



no immediate change into a pupa takes place ; in fact, the 

 insect passes the winter as a hibernating caterpillar, hidden 

 from inclement weather and its enemies by its silken cocoon. 

 Within this cosy shelter the insect remains about eight 

 months, very solicitous the while for its own safety and 

 comfort ; for, if the cocoon be broken, it is at once repaired 

 by the ever-vigilant larva. 



The moths are variable in size, but never exceed three- 

 quarters of an inch from tip to tip of their wings. In 

 general colour they are greyish brown, of a shade that 

 renders them particularly inconspicuous against the bark 

 of apple trees, on which they are fond of resting. The 

 front wings are marked with two irregular rows of metallic, 

 copper-coloured scales, which, in certain lights, appear as 

 if formed of pure gold ; a very dark brown, somewhat tri- 

 angular-shaped band also crosses each wing, the remainder 

 of whose surface is traversed by irregular light and dark 

 bands. The greyish-brown hind wings have fringed mar- 

 gins at the base of the fringe is an unbroken black line, 

 whilst from this line towards the body, the coloration 

 gradually becomes more and more pale, so that the lightest 

 portion is nearest to the body. These moths, although so 

 destructive, are not seen very frequently, unless in excep- 

 tionally badly infested orchards. They spend most of their 

 time resting, either on the leaves or tree trunks, against 

 which, as has been remarked, they are almost invisible 

 except to the trained eye. When disturbed, their flight is 

 so rapid and erratic that it is almost impossible to observe 

 them. 



For an insect, the codling moth is particularly fortunate 

 in having few enemies. This is largely accounted for by 

 its habits, for practically the whole of the larval stage is 

 passed within apples or other fruit ; the pupa is well pro- 

 tected by its silken cocoon, and the moths are strong fliers, 

 and, when at rest, their protective coloration causes them 

 to be easily overlooked by marauding birds and insects. 



