THE WOOD LEOPARD MOTH. 35 



THE WOOD LEOPARD MOTH. 



Zeuzera aesculi, Linn. 



A Worcestershire correspondent forwarded the larvae of this moth 

 in August, which were attacking young apple trees. Although not 

 sufficiently common in the Midland counties at present, it might, in 

 a favourable season, become a serious pest to fruit growers. 



LlFE-HlSTORY. 



The moth appears in June, and the female deposits a large number 

 of oval orange-coloured eggs upon the stems and branches of various 

 trees. Saplings seem particularly liable to attack. 



The eggs hatch in a few days and the larva bores into the sapwood, 

 remaining in the woody tissues during the first winter. In the follow- 

 ing summer it bores a gallery in the middle of the \vood, here it 

 passes its second winter. About May it passes beneath the bark, 

 where it pupates, the moth emerging in June. 



The larva, when full-fed, is nearly two inches in length, in colour a 

 yellowish-white, with black spots on each segment. The second 

 segment is covered with a dark brown dorsal plate. 



Amongst the various trees attacked by the larvae of this moth 

 we may mention the apple, pear, plum, ash, aspen, beech, birch, elm, 

 hawthorn, holly, horse-chestnut, oak, poplar, privet, quince, walnut, 

 willow. 



PREVENTIVE AND REMEDIAL MEASURES. 



Cutting off and burning all infested branches is the only practical 

 treatment. Badly infested trees are best cut down and burnt. 

 Numerous small birds feed upon the eggs. 



THE GARDEN SWIFT MOTH. 



Hepialus liipulinus, Linn. 



The larvae of this moth have been forwarded by different corres- 

 pondents as damaging strawberry plants, celery, winter beans and various 

 flowering plants. 



The habits and methods of attack are very similar to those of the 

 Turnip Dart Moth ; and the same remedies hold good. 



THE LAPPET MOTH. 



Lasiocampa querci folia, Linn. 



A Worcestershire correspondent forwarded the larva of this moth 

 in August last, taken on hawthorn. The large size of the caterpillar 



