284 



THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE. 



in October. The upper wings are brownish grey, with a yellowish-white spot in their 

 centres, shaped like a double kidney, forming the numeral 8 ; lower wings, brownish, 

 with darker markings. The eggs are laid singly on the branches and stems of trees, 

 and are green. From each a caterpillar emerges early in summer, green above and paler 

 beneath, yellow striped, with black spots, and bluish head, altogether a handsome, 

 but lazy, creature nearly 2 inches long. When mature, the caterpillars form cocoons, 

 and in these turn to brownish pupae, moths emerging in late summer, some not 

 appearing as perfect insects until spring. 



Fig. 86. FlGTTBE-OF-ElGHT MOTH (DlLOBA C<EBULEOCEPHALA) ON APPLE. 



References: 1, moth ; 2, caterpillar (young) ; 3, caterpillar, full fed ; 4, branch infested with caterpillars ; 



5, clean branch. 



The caterpillars mainly infest the hawthorn, but they are very fond of cherry, apri- 

 cot, plum, and peach leaves. They have only a slight hold and are easily shaken into 

 cloths held below, or a brisk syringing brings them down, and they can then be destroyed. 

 No moth, perhaps, is more attracted by artificial light than the Figure-of-Eight; there- 

 fore, lamps may be turned to account. Cleansing the stems and large branches of rough 

 bark, washing with alkali in winter, and the sprayings in summer for other enemies, 

 equally answer against these caterpillars* 



