MAGPIE MOTH. 



67 



But not so very much, for a bud once galled is very little use, whether 

 or not the mischief caused by a fly-maggot is superadded. 



Therefore it would appear desirable to destroy the buds as we are 

 doing now, and also it would be of very serviceable interest if those who 

 have the opportunity would endeavour to rear the fly, and take any 

 other observation with the aid of a strong hand magnifier, such as the 

 excellent glasses of two-inch focus, now easily procurable, and so far as 

 is possible clear up the uncertainty of the matter. 



Currant and Gooseberry Moth; Magpie Moth. Abraxas 

 grossulariata, Stephens. 



Abraxas orossulaeiata. 

 Magpie Moth and caterpillar. 



On the 20th of May a packet of much gnawed Currant leaves, 

 together with some two dozen to thirty caterpillars of the Magpie 

 Moth, at various stages of growth, from a little over half an inch in 

 length, were forwarded to me by Mr. Edward Tate, from Balcarres 

 Gardens, Colinsburgh, Co. Fife, N.B., with the mention that these 

 were specimens of an attack supposed by the sender to be of 

 the Magpie Moth, Abraxas grossulariata, which was then causing 

 great destruction in the cottage gardens in that district, completely 

 stripping the leaves of black, red, and white Currants and Goose- 

 berries. 



These larvae proved characteristic specimens of this handsome 

 looper moth caterpillar. The ground colour yellowish, with a row of 

 transverse squarish dark grey or blackish marks along the back ; a row 

 of little black spots along each side, and beneath these a row of larger 

 black markings, beneath these an orange red, or reddish stripe, with 

 again a stripe of black marks lower still along the sides of the cater- 

 pillar. Beneath the caterpillars there were also two narrow continuous 



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