38 REPORT ON INJURIOUS INSECTS FOR 1904. 



days. They are nocturnal feeders, and lie hidden in the surface 

 soil or beneath the roots of their food-plants during the day. 

 Through the winter months they seem to lie dormant, but on the 

 return of spring or mild weather, they commence to feed again. 

 Most of them become full-fed towards the end of April or early 

 in May, when they bury themselves and turn to pupae, the 

 moths emerging towards the end of June or early in July. 



REMEDIAL MEASURES. 



In gardens, stirring the surface frequently during the winter 

 and spring destroys some of the larvae, and exposes others to 



FIG. XXI. LARVAE OF GREAT YELLOW UNDERWING MOTH. 



the attack of birds. Starlings are particularly fond of them. 

 Handpicking the larvae is still more effective. I have entirely 

 cleared them out of my own garden in this way. 



Fresh gas lime well worked into the land in the autumn has 

 been tried with some amount of success. 



THE SILVER Y MOTH. 



Plusia gamma, Linn. 



Although this moth rarely commits any serious damage, 

 I am giving a short notice of it, as it has been forwarded by so 

 many correspondents. 



On the European Continent it has occasionally been known 

 to appear in vast numbers, and do great damage to Sugar Beet 

 crops. 



