58 DESTRUCTIVE INSECTS OF VICTORIA : 



Mr. Anderson is of opinion that there are three or four 

 broods of this moth during the year, so that when once a 

 lodgment is made, this little pest effects considerable 

 progress ; and he (Mr. Anderson) has observed the most 

 abundant brood to be that which emerges during October 

 from larvae which have been feeding throughout the 

 winter months. The moth seems to be a truly indigenous 

 species, although little is, so far, known of its former 

 habits, and it may have adapted itself to the apple in a 

 similar manner to that of the well-known cottony cushion 

 scale, Icerya Purchasi, which latter insect was known 

 thirty years ago to feed on the common wattle, as it also 

 does at the present time. 



The supposed natural and original habitat of this species 

 is the acacias or wattles, and many of the spongy-looking 

 galls by which these trees are disfigured are supposed by 

 Mr. Anderson to be caused by these moths. 



The perfect insect is about half-an-inch across the upper 

 wings, or perhaps a little less. (See Plate IIJL. Fig. 2.) 



The larvae are small, of a greenish colour, and are also 

 shown (see Plate III., Fig. 1) in their natural size. 



This being somewhat of an unknown enemy to apples, 

 it behoves growers to be on the alert, and commence 

 operations against it at once. The cutting down of old 

 and decayed wattles growing near an orchard is absolutely 

 necessary, these trees being more susceptible to insect 

 pests than any other of our native timbers ; and as it has 

 been proved that indigenous insects will adapt themselves 

 to introduced fruits, it is apparent that every reasonable 

 precaution should be taken to prevent their spreading to 

 orchards in the vicinity. 



Prevention and Remedies. 



As a remedy, I would suggest the constant use of the 

 spray-pump, and, as I have previously remarked, the larvae 

 and pupae of this insect being mostly found in the old work- 

 ings of the Woolly Aphis, as shown in the plate, it would 

 be likely that by treating for the above aphis the eggs and 

 larvae of the moth would be destroyed at the same time. 



