334 



Insect Pests. 



THE SLUGWORM OF THE PEAR AND CHERRY. 



{Eriocamim limacina. De Geer.) 



The records of this pest doing damage all show that it is most 

 abundant in August, September and October. 



Xo damage has so far been recorded as caused by these repulsive- 

 looking larvcie earlier in the year in Britain. 



Cameron (1) states: "The usual time for the appearance of the 

 larvte is about the middle of June, and from that time onwards they 

 are in more or less abundance to the end of September or even 

 October." 



In America the sawfly is double brooded, "the first brood 



appearing on the wing in 

 the Northern States and 

 Canada from about the 

 third week in May until 

 the middle of June," the 

 second brood occurring 

 about the second week 

 in July (2). I have found 

 in England, as in America, 

 two distinct generations ; 

 the first brood may do 

 harm, but not as much 

 as the second, for they 

 are fewer in numbers. 

 This sawfly is extremely 

 erratic in appearance. 

 The " slugworms " sud- 

 denly seem to apj)ear on 

 a tree and as often rapidly 

 vanish when they are 

 mature, and no signs may 

 be seen of them again for 

 years. Yet in a neigh- 

 bouring orchard they may 

 appear year after year. 

 Their attack is of frequent 

 occurrence in most parts 

 of England. In 1875 this 

 insect seems to have occasioned much loss in various districts in 

 England. In 1881 it was not only very destructive in England, but 



PEAR AND CHERRY SLUGWORM (Eriocamjja limacina). 

 ADULT SAWFLIES AND DAMAGED LEAF. 



