The Imported Currant Worm 



343 



green, to which many black spots are added later, these in turn 

 giving place to a plain green tinged with yellow, as it approaches ma- 

 turity. When full grown, it measures about three-quarters of an 

 inch in length. It then forms a silken cocoon, hidden by rubbish 

 on the ground, just beneath the surface, or occasionally attached to 

 stems and leaves above ground. The winged insect emerges the last 

 of June or first of July, to re- 

 peat the same cycle, there be- 

 ing two broods a year, the last 

 one passing the winter in the 

 cocoon in the larva or pupa 

 stage. The separate broods 

 do not emerge all at once, 

 hence there is a practical 

 continuation of hostilities 

 throughout the season. 



Remedies. A history of the 

 remedies which have been em- 

 ployed against this insect since 

 its advent in this country 

 would afford spicy reading, 

 with no lack of variety. It is 

 interesting to note that the use 

 of kerosene emulsion seems to 

 have had its beginning in 

 fighting this insect, about 

 1870. l The following brief 

 mention will show something of the range of ammunition brought 

 into play against this enemy. Salt and water, Gardener's Monthly, 

 1881: 17. Tobacco water, Ibid, 1881: 241. Sulphur sprinkled on the 

 bushes when wet, Ibid, 1882: 148. Smudge with burning leather and 

 sulphur under the bushes, Ibid, 1862: 213. Red currants untouched if 

 black currants are planted among them, Tilton's Journal, 8: 35. 

 Copperas dissolved in water, Ibid, 8: 23. Carbolate of lime, Ibid, 



Hilton's Journal, 8:23, 176-9:213. Gardener's Monthly, 1874: 

 149. 



Fig. 50. Early work of the currant 

 worm. 



