486 Mode of destroying a Moth 



ciples of ordinary chemical analysis would be able to ascertain 

 its real nature and properties, and, consequently, to propose a 

 proper remedy^ 



Art. II. Notice of a Mode of destroying a Species of Moth injuri- 

 ous to the Vineyards of the South of France, employedby M. Audouin, 

 Professor of Entomology in the Museum d' Histoire Nalurelle. 



(Extracted from UE'cho du Monde Savant, Sept. 9. 1837.) 



The Societe Royale d' Agriculture, having been consulted by 

 the Minister of Commerce and Public Works, as to the best 

 means of arresting the ravages caused by a well-known species 

 of Pyralis in the vineyards of Ma^onnais, appointed M. Audouin 

 to proceed thither, in order to gain the requisite information for 

 stopping the progress of the evil. M. Audouin arrived in that 

 country on the 5th of August. He soon perceived that the 

 reports addressed to the minister had not been exaggerated ; 

 and found the cultivators so much discouraged, that no steps 

 whatever had been taken to free themselves from the pest. 

 "This," says M. Audouin, "was the first difficulty met with, which 

 I have been fortunate enough to surmount, with the assistance of 

 a kw enlightened individuals, who conceived the happy idea of 

 forming a union of proprietors, which has had the best effect." 

 In fact, on the day after this union, the greater number of the 

 assistants set themselves to work in earnest to adopt the measures 

 recommended by M. Audouin. The season was too far advanced 

 to allow the author of the Manoire to study these insects in all 

 their different stages of developement; but he had already, in 

 1836, observed some individuals sent to Paris from Romaneche, 

 a territory of which the vineyards, as well as those of Thorins, 

 occupied almost the centre of the ravaged country. At these 

 places he had been able to examine at leisure the chrysalides, 

 to watch the coming forth of the moths, the laying of the eggs, 

 and their developement, until the appearance of the caterpillar, 

 which takes place in August, at the time when the vines are 

 covered with new leaves ; but the insect does not commence its 

 ravages till the spring of the following year. 



The learned professor described two methods which he had 

 used with success. It is known that one mode of destroying 

 these injurious insects is the lighting of fires, to which they are 

 attracted, and burn themselves. He has taken advantage of his 

 former experience to modify this process in a very ingenious man- 

 ner. He places a flat vessel with a light on the ground, and covers 

 it with a bell-glass, besmeared with oil. The pyralis, attracted 

 by the light, flics towards it ; and, in the midst of the circle which 

 it describes in flying, it is caught and retained by the glutinous 



