Insects Injurious to the AjijAe. 



27 



THE GOLD TAIL MOTH. 



{Porthrsia .sii/ii/is. Fues.*) 



The caterpillar of this moth is often very harmful, not only to 

 hawthorn hedges, but also to fruit trees throughout the country at 

 certain times. 



It occurs on apple, plum, pear, cherry, nuts and roses. The 

 pretty caterpillars devour the foliage. The chief harm is done by the 

 young larva3 when they come from their 

 winter quarters, for they feed ravenously 

 on the tender leaves. 



This beautiful moth, with pure satiny 

 white wings, is found settled with its 

 wings folded dowmwards on leaves, palings, 

 lamps, etc., in August. In the male is 

 noticeable a dusky spot on the inner 

 border of the fore wings. Thorax and 

 abdomen are pure white, but the latter 

 has a golden yellow tail tuft. In size the 

 male varies from 1 inch to Ij inch, the 

 female up to Ij inch. 



LiFE-HlSTOHY AND HaBITS. 



The life-history may be briefly summed 

 up as follows : The moths lay their eggs 

 in August on apple, plum, pear, cherry, 

 hawthorn, hazel, cob, oaks, Spanish chest- 

 nut (3), roses and other trees. The eggs 

 are laid in golden coloured nests of hairs 

 derived from the female " tail." They 

 hatch in some seven to ten days, and the 

 small larvae feed upon the leaves until 

 the autumn, during this time they moult once (Taschenberg (2) says 

 twice). 



As soon as the leaves harden, these little caterpillars at once go 

 into winter quarters. They seek out shelter in bark crevices, under 

 the bark scales, under moss and lichens, and in various holes. Here 

 they spin small dull grey cocoons about ^ inch in length, and remain 

 hibernating during the winter. Although they appear to be solitary, 

 yet numbers will collect in any suitable place of shelter. 



* Also known as P. aurijina. Fab. 



1 1<\ Eilfiidci. 

 —GOLD TAIL MOTH AT KEST. 

 (Slightly eiilargeil.) 



