116 INSECT PESTS 



and digging up the pupae from the roots are the best 

 methods of checking these moths. (See Plate 25.) 



The Ermine Moth {8. menthasiri) is still more common 

 and more troublesome. Everybody has seen this woolly, 

 extremely active caterpillar, which is conspicuous on 

 every leaf throughout the day and yet manages to bolt 

 out of reach at the first sign of danger. Entomological 

 books will tell you that the White Ermine larva is com- 

 mon everywhere and eats everything, generally low herb- 

 age. But although quite true, this is scarcely definite 

 enough, and it certainly ought to be scheduled as a vine 

 pest. I have noticed, particularly in London and the 

 suburbs, that this larva, and also that of the Buff Ermine 

 (S. lubricipeda) which is very similar, but of a richer, 

 darker brown, are addicted to grape vines, as much in 

 the open air as under glass. The first brood of moths 

 hatches out in May and lays eggs on dock leaves and 

 other weeds, where the young caterpillars feed in company 

 for a time and then wander off singly, often to great 

 distances, and feed on anything good that is going. It is 

 surprising how they get into the places that they do, 

 estabhshing themselves with ease, if not grace, in green- 

 houses and among pot plants, or when changing their 

 skin or about to pupate, they even take possession of our 

 house and home. With regard to vines, spraying will 

 not injure Ermine larvae, and they must be shaken off 

 into a cloth or umbrella, picked up with gloved hands 

 and dropped into a jar of salt or alum water. The web- 

 hke cocoons, found in corners of rooms or nooks and 

 crannies about greenhouse or garden, should be destroyed 

 whenever seen. The natural enemies of the foregoing 

 moths are usually Dipterous or two-winged flies, but there 

 is no practical method of employing these to our advan- 

 tage. Owls and bats, however, should be encouraged, 

 as they hunt down and devour considerable numbers of 

 night-flying moths. (See Plate 25.) 



A small Tortrix moth, C. ambiguella, is also a leaf -eater 



