INJURIOUS INSECTS 



named as to become a pest. The leaves are at first slightly bitten, then 

 rolled into a tube and more thoroughly devoured. This continues through 

 May and June, and about midsummer a cocoon is formed on the bark or 

 amongst the twigs and remnants of leaves, the winged insect appearing in 

 about three weeks. 



The Larch Mining Motli (Coleophora laricella) is a small narrow-winged 

 moth measuring about \ in. across the fore-wings, which are greyish fuscous. 

 The eggs are laid in the needles in May and June. The small larva lives 

 in a case formed from a hollowed-out Larch needle. In this it hibernates 

 through the winter, and on again becoming active, it doubles its accommodation 

 by attaching a second empty needle to the side of the first, and then passes 

 through the pupal stage, the moth appearing at the end of June or in July. 

 The workings of this pest are said to be a predisposing influence to the 

 attack of Larch Canker. Prevention seems to consist in planting Larch 

 upon suitable situations where the soil is good and naturally well-drained, 

 with free circulation of air about the crowns. 



The Lackey Moth or Tree Lackey (Clisioeampa (Malacosoma) neustria) and 

 the next species to be described are often called " Tent Caterpillars " on account 

 of the larva? forming tent-like nets of silk on the trees, in which to live 

 during their early existence. The Lackey is very variable in size and 

 colouring, measuring in in. across the wings, which are rusty reddish- 

 brown, yellowish-brown, ochreous, or brick-dust red, the hind-wings being 

 often paler. It is common in the south, west, and middle of England, not 

 occurring beyond York, and is on the wing in July and August. The eggs 

 are deposited in a kind of bracelet around the smaller shoots of several trees, 

 and hatch in the following April or May, the larva? living till June under 

 a common web. Almost black at first, they afterwards become brilliantly 

 coloured, being bluish-grey with orange-red stripes and a white dorsal line ; 

 the head also is bluish-grey, with two black dots. Having reached H in. 

 in length, the larva spins a cocoon of silk, colouring it with yellow crystals of 

 oxalate of lime, and attaching it to leaves or bark, or on wall, fences, &c, 



indeed almost anywhere above ground. The pupal stage lasts 2-3 weeks. 



xxxix e 2 



