Inclement Weather, Diseases, Etc. 309 



Some animals wage unremitting war against May- 

 beetles : such are the bat, the rook, the owl, and the 

 screech-owl,* all of which devour the fully developed 

 insect, and the mole, which feeds on the larvae. It 

 will, therefore, be advisable not to destroy these ani- 

 mals in localities infested by May-beetles. 



The Vine-Pyralis, also known to vine-dressers by the 

 name of vine-worm. This is, beyond doubt, the insect 

 causing most ravages in vineyards ; it 

 appears twice a year in the shape of a 

 larva, or worm, and is first seen at blos- 

 soming time. At this period, its larva 

 [Fig. 135] devours the leaves and young 

 bunches, which it wraps up in numerous 

 silky threads. It is next seen in the fall, 

 between the berries, which it also covers 

 with silky threads. The larvae pass the 

 winter in silky cocoons, placed under old L ^ r 35-J 

 ragged bark, or in the slits of old stakes. Larva f 

 In April or May, they are transformed * e Y tne ~ 

 into little butterflies, of a yellowish white fyralis. 

 [Fig. 136]. These butterflies lay their eggs in July, 

 on the silky tissue enveloping the 

 grapes. 



The three following plans have 

 been proposed for the destruction 

 of this mischievous insect : ist, the [FiG. 136.] But- 

 careful removal and burning of all terfly of the Py- 

 the bunches inclosed in silky rails. 

 threads, as well as of the rolled-up 



* In this country the skunk eats the beetle, and the crow and blackbird 

 consume the larvae of our May-beetles. 



