THE TURNIP DART MOTH. 



37 



FIG. 10. THE WINTER MOTH 

 (Cheimatobia brnmata}. 



i. Male moth. 2. So-called wing- 

 less female. Natural size. 



who were becoming alarmed^ by the -rapid increase, decided to spray 

 with the Caustic soda-emulsion early in 1907. Many have written me 

 stating what an excellent effect this had. 



Owing to the more general adop- 

 tion of winter spraying, growers have 

 abandoned grease banding their trees, 

 at the best only a partially effective 

 remedy. 



In the Evesham and other districts 

 there should be no difficulty now in 

 keeping this pest under control. 



Wherever the moth is kno\vn to 

 be about, spraying should be deferred until the end of January. I have 

 known cases where the apple trees have been sprayed in December, and 

 left in a beautiful and healthy condition, but have later been visited by 

 the female moths, and the result has been a plague of caterpillars in the 

 following spring, much to the growers surprise. 



THE TURNIP DART MOTH. 



Agrotis segetum, Schiff. 



I mentioned in last Report (p. 25) what a destructive pest this 

 insect had become in the Midland Counties during 1906, and there has 

 been no falling off in the number of complaints during the past year. 



I had hoped with the aid of Vaporite to be able to cope with the 

 larvae of this moth, but frequently I found that the material was not put 

 in deep enough, hence the fumes only destroyed those near the surface. 



A series of experiments made with Apterite gave splendid results. 

 The active principle from this material working both upwards and 

 downwards, made it a most thorough fumigant. 



FIG. n. MALE AND FEMALE TURNIP DART MOTHS. 



In one case where oak and ash seedlings were very badly attacked 

 by the larvae of this moth, the Apterite was dibbled in about seven or 

 eight inches deep, between the lines of plants, many of which were 

 rapidly dying. There was an appreciable change noticeable in a few 

 days ; and when, after a week, some of the plants were taken up there 

 was a healthy growth of new rootlets to be seen. 



