26 SECOND REPORT ON ECONOMIC BIOLOGY. 



THE GOLD TAIL MOTH. 



Porthesia aurifltia (Fab.). 



In various orchards in Worcestershire the larvae of this moth 

 have been the cause of considerable damage to apple, pear, and plum 

 trees. In my Second Report for IQO4 1 I recorded its occurrence at 

 Bromsgrove, where plum trees suffered very badly. Since then I 

 have not heard of its occurring in sufficient numbers to prove harmful, 

 until the past season. 



LIFE-HISTORY. 



The female moth deposits her eggs in August on apple, pear, 

 plum, cherry, hawthorn, hazel and other trees. The eggs are enclosed 

 in nests of hair derived from the golden coloured " tail " of the moth. 

 The caterpillars appear in from seven to twelve days and feed upon the 

 leaves ; with the advent of autumn they seek shelter in crevices in the 

 bark, under broken and dead bark, under lichens, moss, etc. After 

 spinning dull grey cocoons they remain in these situations throughout 

 the winter, issuing forth again as soon as the buds commence to swell. 

 With the bursting of the buds they attack the young leaves and con- 

 tinue feeding until the end of June. 



W T hen full-fed they spin greyish cocoons with many of the larval 

 hairs intertwined. These cocoons are usually formed between the 

 leaves or attached to the bark of the tree, the caterpillars may, how- 

 ever, leave the trees and pupate on railings or in hedgerows near. 



PREVENTIVE AND REMEDIAL .MEASURES. 



Spraying with arsenate of lead is most effective. 



The newly-hatched larvae may be caught in large numbers by 

 banding the trees with old sacks, strips of felt or paper, hay ropes, 

 etc. These should be frequently examined and burnt. 



THE DOT MOTH. 



Mamestra persicariae, Linn. 



In Worcestershire and Warwickshire the larvae of this moth have 

 been unusually numerous during the past season. In gardens they 



1 2nd Rpt. Inj. Insects, 1905, p. 29. 



