331 THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE. 



small larva with two pairs of legs, and lies hidden in the little felted nests of hairs on 

 the under side of vine leaves, as represented in the engraving, Fig. 105, A, page SSL 

 and in these it deposits eggs. In the second form it becomes six-iegged, and passes 

 the winter amongst the nest hairs in dead leaves. In the spring the six-legged 

 insect gets another pair of legs, ascends the vines and selects the lower surface of the 

 young leaves, which it pierces, and there deposits its eggs. On each affected spot a 

 dense growth of swollen leaf-hairs appears, forming a protection for the true eggs and 

 the little maggots which soon emerge from them. The effect is to distort and ruin the 

 leaves. On the upper surface of the leaf, and corresponding to the felted masses of 

 cream-coloured or brownish hairs on the under side, there are numerous large green 

 swellings, and one of these cut across is shown in Fig. 105, B ; the upper surface of the 

 leaf is represented by C C, and the lower at D D. A portion of the section farther 

 enlarged at E better shows the nature of these swollen hairs, which are all furnished 

 with numerous joints, as is common in plant hairs. The only known method of getting 

 rid of this pest is to pick off all the affected leaves and burn them. Fallen leaves 

 should also be burned, and the vines cleaned and dressed, removing the surface of the 

 border, and supplying fresh compost. 



Moths. The larvee of various moths feed on the leaves, twigs, or young fruit of the 

 grape vine, but they are seldom the cause of much harm in British vineries. The most 

 hurtful species belong to the Tortricina. Lobesia reliquana (Tortrix vitisaina) is not 

 rare in the south of England. The moth is about T V inch in expanse of forewings, 

 chestnut red, marbled with pale buff, and with two dark brown, white-edged triangular 

 spots on the margin of each. The larvae devour the flower-buds, and spin the clusters of 

 young fruit up in webs, by which they may be detected, and should be removed by 

 handpicking. Tortrix angustiorana (see page 88) also attacks vine growths and fruit. 

 The moth, larva, and pupa are figured on page 89. The larvas feed on vine leaves, and 

 may occasionally be found on ripe grapes, fastening them together by a web. Other 

 species of Tortrix feed on the flower-buds and on the young grapes, but have done little 

 injury in this country. The change to the pupae state occurs in the soil in some cases, 

 and the Iarva3 of some of the Tortricina pass the winter under the loose bark on the 

 stems, whilst the pupse of some are similarly protected. It is desirable to remove all 

 loose bark and dress the vines in winter with an insecticide applied with a stiff brush, 

 clear away all dead leaves and the loose surface soil, and supply a good top-dressing 

 afterwards. 



