GENERAL PRACTICE. ENEMIES. 



2*5 



Lackey Moth (Bombyx (Clisiocampsa) neustria). The moths of tbis species (Fig. 87) 

 are variable in colour, but the forewings are brownish, crossed with darker bands; 

 hinder wings, reddish brown with paler bars. They appear in July to early autumn, 

 flying only at night, remaining concealed during the day under leaves and long herbage. 

 The eggs are deposited in summer and autumn in broad bands, each about \ inch long, 

 containing 200 to 300, kept together by a tenacious brown gum, which protects them 

 from inclement weather. The larvae emerge in April and May ; they are hairy and black. 

 They spin a web, enlarging it as needed, from which the caterpillars go out to feed, 

 returning in the evening and in wet weather. Thus congregating early in the morning 

 or during rain, they form 

 large nests in the forks of 

 the small branches. In 

 these they remain some 

 time, but when nearly 

 full grown they separate 

 and spin cocoons on 

 leaves, in crevices of 

 bark, on walls, under 

 sheds, and in hedges, 

 each cocoon being ob- 

 long, yellow, mixed with 

 a whitish or sulphury 

 powder, and from these 

 the moths emerge in due 

 course. 



The eggs are easily destroyed by a pruning- knife. The caterpillars should be cap- 

 tured in the webs, taking care to spread cloths on the ground to catch any that let 

 themselves down with a silken thread. This is best effected early in the morning or 

 during rain. A galvanised pail containing some petroleum emulsion or smeared inside 

 with gas tar may be held beneath the nest whilst another person detaches it. When 

 not convenient to cut off the branch, they may be shaken down and crushed under the 

 trees, using cloths where the grass is long, and detaching those hanging by their threads 

 with a pole. Thorough cleanliness in orchards and their precincts hinders infestations of 

 lackey moths, and the caterpillars succumb to spraying the trees with Paris-green. 



Fig. 87. LACKEY Mom ^BOMBYX NEUSTRIA) ox PEAK. 



References : Upper figure, moth ; left-hand branch, showing bands of 

 eggs ; right-hand branch and caterpillar, showing devastation ; clean spur- 

 growth below. 



