131 



Lesser Apple-Leaf Roller (Tcniii uiiniita). 



(n.i. Larva: l()i, Tupa ; (c). Moth; (ri), Folding case of leaves. 

 Thf ("itei-pillar of the lesser apple-leaf roller is a greeuish-yellow larva, 

 siiKiuth, with a pale brown head and whitish marliings, affecting the young 

 leaves of the terminal twigs, with which the insect forms a iirotective case. 

 This species is remarkable in that two of the three broods of moths which 

 appear during the year are of a bright orange colour, while those of the third 

 brood are reddish-gray. It is an example of what naturalists call dimorphisuL 

 The eggs are laid in the spring, on the unfolding leaves of apple and other 

 trees and bushes, the larvje soon hatching and feeding on the young foliage, 

 some of which they roll into a protective covering. 



Here they continue feeding for about a month^ when they pupate within 

 the folded leaves, and a week or so later emerge as small orange-yellow moths. 

 These moths lay eggs for another brood of larva\ the motlis of which are also 

 yellow, and they in turn lay eggs for a third brood, which develop in the fall 

 as reddish-gray moths. These winter in .sheltered places and in the following 

 spring deposit their eggs as previously stated. 



The caterpillars feed together in numbers, usually stripping the branches 

 of leaves as they proceed. AVhen handled, they emit a transparent fluid 

 having a strong acid smell. When full-grown they descend to the ground and 

 conceal themselves under leaves or slightly bebiw the surface, after a time 

 changing to brown chrysalids. 



The moths usually appear about June, and are described as follows: — 

 The fore-wings are dark-brown on the inner and grayish on the outer margin, 

 with a dot near the middle, a spot near each angle, and several hnigitudinal 

 streaks along the hind margin, all dark-brown. 



The hind wings of the male are brownish, or dirty white: those of the 

 female dusky brown. ^Yhen expanded, the wings measure 1 to li^ inches 

 ai riiss. 



The female deposits her eggs in a cluster on the under side of a leaf; 

 these soon hatch into small caterpillars, which at first feed on the substance 

 (if the under side of the leaf: later on they consume the entire leaves. When 

 not eating they remain cldse together^ sometimes completely covering the 

 branch they rest upon. On account of this habit they can be easily gathered 

 and destroyed, or the limb cut off and trampled under foot. They are also 

 easily destroyed by using the Paris green .spray. No. !>. 



