VOUNG WHEAT MOTtt CATERPILLARS. 



37 



Young Wheat Moth Caterpillars. Miana {J cxpolita, Dbl.).* 



Caterpillars, upper and side views, and head, all much magnified; line showing 

 nat. length ; Wheat plant with caterpillar in centre. 



The following observations refer to a species of small moth cater- 

 pillar ■which was observed early in the year doing serious injury to a 

 field of young Wheat near Lymington, Hants, by feeding within the 

 centre of the plant, and also to some degree eating the young leaves 

 round the centre. The first note of its presence was sent me on the 

 21st of February, by Mr. H. Renyard, of Carter's Farm, Norley Wood, 

 Lymington, Hants, with the remark: — "I have sent the enclosed 

 maggots to you, which I find my Wheat full of. They are destroying 

 the whole crop." 



A few days later (on February 26th) Mr. Renyard forwarded me 

 some more specimens of the caterpillars, with the further observations : 

 — "I only find them in the lay ground. Where I ploughed it iu fallow 

 in the same field the Wheat looks well, but where these maggots are 

 they are destroying the whole crop. They eat the heart clean out of 

 the corn." ..." I have enclosed several maggots in the heart of 

 the corn." 



The young Wheat plants sent showed the serious nature of the 

 damage. This was in various stages, — as the whole of the centre of 

 the little plant being cleared out; or the central shoot being bitten off; 

 or the mischief being then in progress. In most instances the little 

 brownish backed caterpillar was set head uppermost, either in the 

 middle of the plant, with moist morsels of material in the cavity, 

 apparently composed of " frass " (or the rejected results of feeding), or 

 Bometimes supported along the back by one of the sheathing-leaves, so 



* For considerations of species see following pages. 



