INSECTS. 337 



abundant in June, growing to the length of an inch and a 

 half. A belt of tar, applied to the trees, has been found 

 effective in preventing the ascent of the wingless females ; 

 this needs renewing daily, until the season of their rising 

 has passed. 



Ellopia ribcaria, or the Currant-moth, was figured and 

 described by Fitch as the Abraxas? ribearia, in New 

 York Reports for 1856. The worm is light yellow, with 

 black dots. It eats the leaves of currants and gooseber- 

 ries, in June. The moth ascends from the ground in July ; 

 it is nankeen-yellow ; quite a common insect in some parts 

 of the country. It must have some natural enemies, for, 

 where very abundant one year, it sometimes disappears 

 altogether the next. Hand-picking is the only remedy 

 known, and this is quite a tedious process. 



TORTRICES, DELTA MOTHS, OR LEAF-ROLLERS. 



The Leaf-rollers are a numerous tribe, and some of them 

 are troublesome upon our cultivated trees and vines. They 

 curl up the edge of the leaf upon which they feed, and 

 fasten it with little bands of silk, and thus shelter them- 

 selves from the weather and from their enemies. They 

 are naked worms, and generally light colored, and exceed- 

 ingly active. Some live in the unfolding leaves and flow- 

 er-buds, fastening them together so they cannot expand, 

 while they devour the tender tissues. Some enter the 

 young fruit, which they cause to ripen and fall premature- 

 ly. The moths are generally small, often prettily marked, 

 and fly only in the evening. 

 15 



