Insects, etc., Injurious to Currants. 209 



day. This is especially noticeable when walking amongst the 

 vegetation, the movement of the bushes or trees disturbing them. 



July and August are the months we find the perfect insects on 

 the wing. They then lay their cream-coloured eggs on the leaves, 

 sometimes singly, at others in groups. 



This I have noticed to take place after sunset, but Newman (4) 

 says that they may do so even in the middle of the day. 



The eggs (Fig. 160) hatch in from six to fifteen days into small, 



(E. Tonge. 

 FIG. 160. EGGS OF THE MAGPIE MOTH (Abraxas grossulariato). (x 10.) 



almost black looper caterpillars which feed upon the leaves as long as 

 there is any nourishment in them. As a rule they reach a little over 

 \ inch before the leaves have so hardened that the caterpillars have 

 to stop feeding. They then enter winter quarters, which are very 

 varied ; some of the small caterpillars seek shelter amongst the dead 

 leaves that collect in the forks and burrs on the bushes, others crawl 

 under stones, wood and debris on the ground. 



I have found them in the hollow snags of the bushes, and in the 

 case of gardens they especially choose the holes in the mortar of brick 

 and stone walls and under the boards of outhouses, etc. 



In spring they crawl forth as soon as the leafage expands, and at 

 once commence to feed upon the young tender substance. It is 

 during this period that so nrnch harm is done by this insect. 



At first the young tender leaves are merely nibbled; later the 



