IMPORTED CURRANT WORM 147 



changes to green. After the first moult the head becomes black 

 and the black spots on the side of the body become more promi- 

 nent. The full-grown caterpillar is three-fourths of an inch long 

 (Fig. 166) . When full grown it descends to the ground, and spins 

 a small, oval cocoon of a brownish silk among the leaves or rubbish, 

 or even below the ground. 



Two Broods. The adults emerge from these cocoons late in 

 June or July, mate, and produce a second brood. The adults of 



FKJ. 1()(5. The imported currant worm: a, a, male and female saw fly; b, b, b, larvse of differ- 

 ent sizes; c, pupa; d, cocoon; e, eggs. (Lugger.) 



this latter brood do not emerge until the following season. Since 

 the two broods overlap, larvse of all stages may be found 

 during the summer. 



Injury. These, perhaps, are the most destructive of the cur- 

 rant pests. This is particularly so since they come in the busy 

 part of the year and their depredations are not noticed until the 

 currant or gooseberry bush is nearly stripped of leaves. 



Control. If the worms are observed when they first begin to 

 feed, control is easy. Simply dust the leaves with dry, white helle- 

 bore when they are moist with dew. Or spray the foliage with the 



