30 REPORT ON INJURIOUS INSECTS FOR 1906. 



THE OAK LEAF ROLLER MOTH. 



Tortrix viridana, Linn. 



Mr. J. G. Blakey, of Redditch, writes :" This season the cater- 

 pillar of the above moth has been very destructive in this district ; 

 there is a good deal of Oak timber around Redditch. A wood about 

 half a mile out, called Pitcher Oak Wood, the property of the Earl 

 of Plymouth, was nearly denuded of foliage some people had an 

 idea that the Oak was late coming into leaf. A large portion of the 

 above wood was almost destitute of foliage on the 2Oth of June, and 

 looked like a winter scene. I intended taking a photograph, but my 

 time was then taken up so much. I have felt very sorry that this was 

 not done. I had anticipated a very bad attack from seeing so many 

 moths last year. Such destruction must make much difference to the 

 timber production on a large estate. I noticed particularly that the 

 house sparrow was one of the busiest destroyers in the way of birds. 

 Near to a window in my dwelling was a sparrow's nest, and it was 

 most amusing to see the old birds bringing in the moths to feed their 

 young ; they would carry several moths in their beaks during each 

 visit. I also noted that a species of Ichneumon Fly, with yellow and 

 black markings, was very busy with the caterpillars. I noticed these 

 Ichneumons carrying something into one of our plant houses, so I care- 

 fully followed them ; when I found they put the caterpillars down for 

 a time, then took them off again, so I came to the conclusion that they 

 were depositing their eggs in the caterpillar. I ought to have kept 

 some of the caterpillars, so as to have seen the result. I hope to do so 

 another season." 



A NEW BLACK CURRANT PEST. 



Spilonota roborana^ Tr. 



In Worcester a new Black Currant pest has made its appearance, 

 in the form of a small Tortrix moth, the larvae of which behaves very 

 much in the same manner as an American pest, the Currant and 

 Gooseberry fruit worm (Zophodia bella, Hulst.) 



The larvae, which were first seen by me on June I5th, feed upon 

 the fruits as soon as set, eating a hole in the side large enough to enter, 

 and after devouring the whole of the interior of one berry, it passes 

 on to another. The leaves and empty fruits, or partly eaten ones, are 

 loosely webbed together. 



The larvae continue to feed until nearly the end of June, when 

 they become full-fed and pupate on the bushes, the moths appearing 

 in about three weeks time. 



So far as I can learn, there is no previous record of the larvae of 



