286 



THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE. 



Fig. 88. SMALL ERMINE MOTH (HYPONOMETJTA PADELLA) AND 

 WEB OF CATEEPILLAES ox APPLE BBANCH. 



References: 1, moth; 2, caterpillar, half natural size ; 

 3, web-nest on apple branch j 4, clean spur and fruit. 



Small Ermine Moth (Hyponomeuta padella). The moths of this species(Fig. 88) appear 

 in June and July, and are white, with black dots on the upper wings ; lower wings, lead 



coloured ; expanse of wings, about f inch. 

 The female deposits her eggs in roundish 

 patches on twigs and branches, covering 

 them with gum to protect them. These 

 hatch out minute caterpillars in autumn, 

 yellow with black heads, but they do not 

 leave the gummy substance until spring, 

 when they eat the leaves. After emerging, 

 the caterpillars spin a web around fresh 

 leaves, and, living in large communities, 

 strip hedgerows and trees of verdure. 

 They are smooth, with a black head, and 

 spots on the sides. When full-fed, the 

 caterpillars spin a slender cocoon in the web, turn to pupa3, and produce moths about 

 midsummer or later. 



As the larvaB live in webs, they are easily removed and destroyed. Immense num- 

 bers of caterpillars may be taken in a short time, and this should always be as early as 

 possible, never beyond their assuming the chrysalis form. The alkali wash (page 251) 

 causes the small gum-nests on the twigs 

 and branches, and other accumulations, 

 to peel off, leaving the bark clean. 

 Summer sprayings of Paris-green are 

 destructive of small ermine moth cater- 

 pillars. 



Vapourer Moth (Orgyia antiqua). 

 This injurious insect (Fig. 89) is wide- 

 spread, destructive, and common in most 

 parts of the country. The male is dark 

 brown, the wings chestnut, with darker 

 cloudings, and a white spot near the 

 back angle of the fore wings. The female has a clumsy body, grey, and mere scales 

 of wings. The caterpillars are covered with yellowish hairs, body dark with reddish 



Fig. 89. VAPOURER MOTH (ORGYIA ANTIQUA) ON CHERRY. 



References ; 1. moth, male ; 2, moth, female ; 3, cater 

 pillar ; 4, devastated branch ; 5, clean growth. 



