EGGS OF THE MAGPIE MOTH. 

 (Magnified 20 diameters ) 



THE MAGPIE MOTH AND ITS 

 PARASITES 



By JOHN J. WARD 



Author of "Life Histories cf Familiar Plants," "Some Nature Biographies," "Minute Marvels 



of Nature," etc 



Illustrated from Original Photographs by the Author 



AMONGST those insects that work 

 jf\ mischief in the gardens and fruit 

 farms, the Magpie, Currant, or 

 Gooseberry Moth {Abraxas grossiilariata), 

 as it is variously called, holds a very 

 prominent place. The British Board of 

 Agriculture have, indeed, found it neces- 

 sary to issue a leaflet giving methods of 

 prevention from, and remetUes for, the 

 attacks of this destructive insect. 



The moth ajipears about midsummer, 

 and it frequently flies during daylight. 

 Its wings are white, bearing numerous 

 deep brown or black spots and blotches, 

 together with some yellow markings ; con- 

 sequently, it is a very conspicuous insect. 



140 iic^: 



It derives its ])()])ular name. Magpie Moth, 

 from the bold markings of its wings, while 

 its other familiar names have reference 

 to the plants u])on which it works so 

 much havoc during its larval ])eriod. 



Some of the eggs of the motli are shown 

 in the first illustration magnified twenty 

 diameters. They are somewhat o\-al in 

 shape, and their shell structure bears a 

 silvery a})pearance and is beautifully 

 reticulated with a delicate pattern, which 

 is revealed by means of a magnifying 

 lens, as the illustration shows. .Vltliough 

 the tiny eggs lia\-e so attractiw an a])pear- 

 ance under tlie lens, it is, nevertlieless, 

 from tliese little t)bjects that the fruit- 



