THE BUFF-TIP AND CABBAGE MOTHS. 35 



garious, after a time they separate, but throughout this stage 

 they are always met with in groups. From the middle to the 

 end of September they usually become full-fed when they com- 

 mence to descend the trees, either by falling or crawling. They 

 pupate immediately beneath the tree usually in the soil, but 

 may often be found beneath fallen leaves, and remain in this 

 stage until the following June. 



The pupa is a deep mahogany-brown, smooth, glossy, 

 about an inch long and provided with two spines at the apical 

 or pointed end. It is not enclosed in a cocoon. 



PREVENTIVE AND REMEDIAL MEASURES. 



Shaking or jarring the infested boughs has been recom- 

 mended (Ormerod), but except in their young state they are 

 difficult to dislodge. In September I found it almost impos- 

 sible to move them. Before jarring, tarred bands of hay should 

 be placed around the trunks so as to prevent the larvae ascending 

 again. 



A good plan is to spread a few spadefuls of gas lime around 

 the trees at the end of September, when they commence 

 to descend the trees prior to pupating. Fowls turned on to 

 the land about this time will also destroy both larvae and pupae. 



The large size and bright colouring of the larvae render 

 them very conspicuous, and on small trees hand picking is very 

 effective. 



For fruit trees, spraying with arsenate of lead should be 

 carried out. 



THE CABBAGE MOTH. 



Mamestra brassicae, Linn. 



Correspondents in all the seven Midland counties, have 

 complained of the unusual prevalence of the destructive larvae 

 of this moth. In addition to damaging cabbages, cauliflowers 

 and broccoli, lettuce and dahlias seem to have suffered some- 

 what severely. They are general feeders and will attack most 

 of the plants in kitchen gardens, and when plentiful, as in 1904, 

 they cause considerable loss. 



LIFE-HISTORY. 



The first brood of moths appear from early in May to the 

 end of July, and the female lays her eggs on the leaves of different 

 plants, but preferably cabbage. In about a week the larvae 

 hatch out as small greenish caterpillars and very soon change 

 colour. They are subject to great variation in colour, partly 

 due to the food-plant. All shades of greenish-grey or yellowish- 

 brown with more or less distinct longitudinal dorsal stripes, 

 being met with. In a month to six weeks time they become full- 

 fed, and pupation takes place either in the ground or beneath 



