150 INSECT PESTS OF BERRIES AND GRAPES 



Control. When remedial measures are called for, the under 

 side of the leaves should be sprayed with whale oil soap 

 or other strong soap. Use one pound to six gallons of water. Or 

 spray with tobacco extracts. The spraying must be done before 

 the foliage becomes badly curled, or the insects will not be hit. 

 Picking off curled leaves by hand and destroying them will keep 

 the pests somewhat in check. 



The Spiny Currant Caterpillar (Polygonia comma Harr.). The 

 caterpillars, when full grown, are about one and one-fourth inches 

 long. They vary from light brown to greenish yellow in color and 

 are marked with black and yellow lines. Upon the body are 

 numerous branched spines, varying in color from dark brown to a 

 yellow. The spines are frequently tipped with black. 



The adult insect is the common and strikingly handsome butter- 

 fly which hibernates in some sheltered spot and is frequently seen 

 in warm places very early in the spring. The illustration (Fig. 

 169) serves to give a good idea of this species. The wings are quite 

 irregular in outline, and there are many projecting points and 

 notches. The surfaces of all four wings are reddish brown, bor- 

 dered on the outer edge with darker brown. The color of the hind- 

 wings varies considerably in intensity, and more so on the under 

 side, which is usually dark brown, with many grayish lines and 

 streaks. The butterfly may always be recognized by a plainly 

 marked "C" on the lower surface of the hind-wing of a metallic 

 silvery color. One's imagination might picture this mark as a 

 comma. 



Life Cycle. Eggs are laid singly on the leaves of currant and 

 gooseberry, and here the solitary larvae are found. When full 

 grown the caterpillar seeks a secluded spot to change to pupa or 

 chrysalis. The chrysalis is frequently seen hanging from leaf or 

 twig. It is brown in color. In ten days, from this formation, the 

 butterfly emerges. 



There are generally two generations of caterpillars one in 

 late spring and another one in late summer or early fall. 



Injury. The caterpillar is a general feeder, attacking not only 

 wild and cultivated currants and gooseberries, which it prefers, 

 but is also fond of elm, hop, nettle, basswood, and various other 

 growths. 



Control. Arsenical sprays or white hellebores are effective, 

 if any remedy is needed. The hellebore is preferable if the fruit 

 is ripe or nearly so. Recourse may also be had to hand-picking. 



