68 First Repoi't on Economic Zoology. 



The Allied Bud Moth. 

 (Antithesia variegana, Hb.) 



Another Tortrix lives in a very similar way to the Bud Moth, 

 namely, Antithesia variegana or A. cynosbatelkc. This moth is 

 about two-thirds of an inch in ^^'idth of expanded wings ; the fore 

 ■svings have the basal two-thirds brownish-black, the apical third is 

 wliite clouded with grey towards the hind margin ; there are also 

 two or thi'ce black spots projecting from the edge of the central band. 

 The moth appears in June, and lays her eggs on the leaf. The larvae 

 are thick and dark green with black spots ; the head and first 

 segment also being black. They may be found in the early spring 

 on hawthorn and sloe growing in the hedgerows and also in most 

 apple and pear orchards. The winter is passed, according to Mr. 

 Newstead, much in the same way as the Bud Moth, 



Penthina pruniana, a closely related species, also probaljly lives 

 in the same way. 



The Pith Moth. 



(Laverna atra, Haw. ; 'putripenella, Zell.) 



Numerous inquiries were made dming the past year concerning 

 the larva of a small moth — the Pith Moth {Laverna atra). This 

 attack has been known to fniit-growers and gardeners for a long 

 time. It is noticed every year, but in 1902 it was abnormally 

 abundant, and a vast amount of damage was done by it over Great 

 Britain. The moth is not often seen, and probably but few people 

 are acquainted with it. It occurs over a large area of England 

 up to Newcastle. 



The damage done hj the larv£e is particularly noticeable in 

 nurseiy stock. They bmTOW up the terminal shoots and kill them, 

 the result being deformed and stumpy trees. The attacked shoots 

 flag and then die and turn brown, the dead masses varying from two 

 to four inches in length. These dead shoots may remain some time 

 on the tree, or they may fall to the gi'ound naturally, or be beaten off 

 by hea^y rain. The attack may readily be told from that of the Bud 

 Moth by the absence of leaves spun together, and the absence of 

 damaged buds and blossom ; but the whole shoot dies away. Apple 

 trees are chiefly attacked, but reports of its ravaging pears have 

 also been received. The larvae are also found on hawthorn and other 

 wild Piosaceae. 



Although it is a wide-spread pest, the following localities may be 



