HEAET AND DAKT MOTH. 



69 



are almost sure to be reduced by a journey in unnatural surroundings, 

 and possibly without vegetable food. 



The figure at p. 54 represents the very common kind popularly 

 known as the Turnip or Dart Moth, and its caterpillar, and, so far as 

 could be judged, most of the specimens sent were of this species, 

 scientifically, the Agrotis secjetum. The kind figured below is often 

 almost indistinguishable from the above in larval, that is, caterpillar 

 state. It has the popular name of the Heart and Dart Moth, and, as 



Agrotis ExcLAMATioNis.— 1, Heart and Dart Moth; 2, caterpillar; 3 and 4, chrysalis 



in earth-cell. 



often mentioned before, the two kinds closely resemble each other in 

 their habits. The common method of life is for the caterpillars to 

 feed at the roots of almost any kind of crop, though by preference at 

 succulent roots, as Turnip, or at Potatoes, or Mangolds. During 

 winter weather, and their conditions permitting, they may continue 

 feeding, or may pass it in cells in the earth. On the return of mild 

 weather, such caterpillars as have survived come out again to feed, and 

 presently turn to chrysalids at or near the surface of the soil, from 

 which the moths appear in due course, and lay their eggs during the 

 summer, as early as June, or towards autumn. 



We are still apparently no further advanced towards finding a 

 remedy for this destruction, but in the above observations we have one 

 note of the plan of hand-picking, which appears to be the only really 

 practicable method of clearing out this pest, being adopted. We have 

 also a note, on the good authority of Mr. Thos. ColHns, of adoption of 

 the plan of hoeing as a means of getting rid of a proportion of the 

 pests. The notes of failure of various dressing to do good, I have not 

 thought it necessary to go mto again ; but the observation at p. 58 of 

 the caterpillars seeming to be very materially reduced after a heavy 

 night's rain, is worth notice. 



It has been a well-observed fact that sometimes caterpillar preva- 

 lence has been checked by sudden rain in hot weather, the result being 

 that the contents of the caterpillar are voided, and the creatures perish. 



