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JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ July 18, 1878. 
these islands, and where we should have but one annual brood of 
a species, abroad there may be twoor three broods. Gardeners 
in the course of their digging during the winter destroy often, 
without being aware of it, a goodly number of the pupz of the 
Noctuina, for a great many species live from autumn to spring 
in that stage at a depth of from 2 to 6 inches in the earth, and 
therefore are liable to injuries from the spade or fork. Some, 
however, have the caution to place themselves close to a fence 
or in the angles formed by roots, or in other positions of 
partial shelter. Thousands of these pupz furnish an agreeable 
article of food to ants and to the predacious lary of certain 
beetles ; indeed, in the case of any caterpillar that we may 
notice in the act of going down for his change to pupa the 
chances are considerable against his making a re-appearance 
as moth. 
From the Geometrine group, already commented upon, the 
Noctuinz are distinguished not only by their stout bodies but 
by the circumstance that when the moths are reposing the fore 
wings, which are narrow usually, cover the hind wings by 
these folding-up under them. The fore wings do not resemble 
the hind wings, and they have in their centre two spots of an eye- 
like appearance, varying much in size and tint, one being called 
the “orbicular discoidal spot,” the other the “reniform dis- 
coidal spot.” All these moths are provided with a stout tongue 
er maxilla, which coils up spirally, and which at night enables 
the insects to feast on the nectar of flowers. Attracted by their 
perfumes many of the Noctuine fly from the fields and woods 
into our gardens. As they hover above the blossoms their 
eyes frequently shine like tiny stars, the cause of which may 
be phosphorescence, but we do not precisely know. The cater- 
pillars are mostly smooth-skinned and of dull colours. The 
Acronyctas, however, or “ Dagger Moths” have caterpillars as 
thickly clothed with hairs as are those very familiar Arctias in 
the Bombycina family, and which are commonly called 
*‘ Woolly Bears.” A few species, among which is the Gamma 
Moth or Silver Y (Plusia Gamma), have not the full comple- 
ment of legs in the caterpillar state, in consequence of that 
fact they move when crawling somewhat in the Luper fashion. 
To enumerate even a tithe of the common species amongst the 
Noctuine would occupy too much space here, and it will be in 
accordance with our design in this series to indicate those 
species merely which to gardeners seem the more important 
from the rapacious habits of the caterpillars. 
Obviously we have few friends amongst them ; we cannot 
say we have none, for the caterpillar of the Dun Bar (Cosmia 
trapezina), though it can eat the leaves of trees, is fond of 
devouring the troublesome caterpillars of the Winter Moth 
(Cheimatobia brumata), that also of the Satellite (Scopelosoma 
satellitia) has similar tendencies, but it is not quite so ferocious. 
We have not yet heard it recommended that these cannibals 
should be encouraged in gardens, where they occasionally 
appear, though more common in woods or lanes, These ex- 
cepted, Noctuine caterpillars feed on vegetable substances. 
Some attack specially roots or the subterranean stems, and do a 
great deal of mischief ere it is observed. This large group is 
again subdivided. In some families few or none interfere with 
horticulture ; the numerous species called “ Wainscots,”’ for 
instance, mostly live while in the caterpillar state upon Grasses 
or Sedges, but the moths may fly some distance from the place 
where they were bred. On many garden walls scores of the 
pretty little moth, the Marbled Beauty (Bryophila perla), may 
be seen in July or August, but they have never had to do with 
deaf or flower; the caterpillars thrive on the small lichens 
which commonly cover old brick or stonework. 
The hairy caterpillar of Acromycta Psi (rather absurdly 
ealled the Grey Dagger, for several of its brethren are just as 
grey) feeds on fruit trees as well as on the Limes and Elms in 
our shrubberies. It is easily recognised by the yellow stripe 
down the back and the straight lump on the fifth segment. 
Like the rest of the Acromyctas it spins a cocoon when adult, 
choosing a crevice in the bark of a tree or a crack in some 
paling. Another species feeding on the Alder (A. Alni), and 
haying a caterpillar with curious appendages on each side like 
flattened horsehairs, is so rare that specimens haye fetched 
15s. each. A very determined hunter after sweets either 
natural or artificial is the Moth of the Dark Arches (Xylo- 
phasia polyodon), and when swarming about gardens these 
insects have occasioned needless apprehensions, for they do 
not deposit eggs in such situations ; the caterpillars are indeed 
subterranean deyourers, but they attack plants in fields and 
waste places. The caterpillar of the Anther (Charzas gra- 
minis) is noteworthy, because in France and Sweden it has in 
some seasons laid waste much of the grass land; it has not» 
however, as yet proved a serious enemy to our farmers. But 
the caterpillars of the Rustic Shoulderknot (Apamea basilinea) 
do destroy when they are young more of the grain of Wheat 
than is agreeable to those who have stored it ready for thrash- 
ing, the moths laying their eggs in June on the ears. Of all 
the Noctuine it is likely none is as well known and as sincerely 
disliked as is the Cabbage Moth (Mamestra Brassicz), which 
in activity and artifice excels the Cabbage Butterfly by far, and 
by no device can it be excluded from our gardens. There 
appears to be but one yearly brood, the moths emerging 12 
succession, so that we find in our plants caterpillars of different 
ages in the same month. Not satisfied with the revels they 
have amongst the Brassicaceous plants of the kitchen garden, 
many of these wander insidiously into the flower garden, 
hiding by day to regale by night on Geraniums, Dahlias, and a 
variety of plants, Near akin to this, yet less common, is the 
Dot (Mamestra Persicarie), the greenish-brown caterpillar 
with V-shaped markings, feeding openly, is a frequent mark 
for the birds, and also readily found by the gardener. It 
occurs in both the kitchen and flower garden, and at times 
upon Lilacs, Elders, and other shrubs. Oddly enough it is un- 
known in Ireland, where M. Brassice is as abundant as in 
Britain. ed f 
A near competitor to the preceding in its powers of doing 
damage to vegetation is the caterpillar of the Turnip Moth 
(Agrotis Segetum), nor may we presume from the name that 
it confines itself to that esculent, for the juvenile individuals 
have a penchant for attacking young Cabbages and Carrots 
just at the surface of the ground ; moreover beds of China 
‘Asters have exhibited hundreds of drooping plants, a testimony 
to the “deeds of darkness” of which the insects have been 
capable. “It is tedious work,” says Mr. Newman, “looking 
for the mischief-maker at night with a lantern, and awkward 
to dig between the plants; some gardeners therefore sprinkle 
lime, or sawdust, or soot, or ashes, or salt, or ammoniacal 
liquor on the ground, but the result is far from certain, and 
therefore unsatisfactory.” The species was particularly com- 
mon in 1864, and it was then pointed out by this same ento- 
mologist that by our foolish discouragement of several birds, 
especially the rook and the starling, we had increased the 
numbers of the detested “Turnip grub.” Also common and 
injurious to similar plants is the caterpillar of the Heart and 
Dart (A. exclamationis), which doubtless causes not a few gar- 
deners to utter exclamations of disgust. The dingy brown 
caterpillars of the two species are so much alike that even 
entomologists are puzzled to distinguish them. A larger species 
than the preceding, and which in the moth state often enters 
houses and public buildings, dashing at the lights, is the Yellow 
Underwing (Tryphena pronuba). It has a caterpillar very 
variable in colour, of velvety texture, and which conceals itself 
during the day to feed on Cabbages, Lettuces, and other plants 
after dark. As the caterpillar life is continued from autumn 
to spring this species does damage at a time when many of its 
brethren are in a state of quiescence. — 
Passing by a host of Darts, Rustics, Clays, Quakers, and 
allied species, some of which are handsome and rare, we stop 
at that striking moth the Angle-Shades (Phlogophora meticu- 
losa), noticeable on fences in May or September, the rather 
leech-like green-and-white caterpillar of which feeds on several 
garden flowers in summer, and in winter contents itself with 
such wild plants as the Groundsel. It is not so prolific as to 
be specially injurious. Then there is a Noctua that is par- 
ticularly attached to the common Brake Fern, though named 
from the Broom (Hadena Pisi). I have seen Ferns nearly 
stripped in the vicinity of London by the beautifully striped 
caterpillar of the species. The Early Grey (Xylocampe 
lithorhiza) has a fancy for the Honeysuckle, on which the 
caterpillars occur from June to August. Amongst other 
species bearing the mark which is compared either to the 
letter Y or the Greek gamma, the Silver Y (Plusia Gamma) is 
remarkable for its habit of flying in the daytime ; nor does it 
appear to require rest at night, for specimens will assemble at 
sugar spread upon trees. The moth is as much at home on an 
extensive common as within the walled precincts of a garden, 
and the caterpillar is not critical with regard to food, though 
preferring plants of low growth. ‘ Y : 
An oddly named moth, the Gothic (Nania typica), has a 
caterpillar whose habit it is to feed in small companies of from 
ten to twenty upon the leaves of fruit trees. I have also ob- 
served them on the Chrysanthemum. In about a month they 
descend to feed on Lettuces, Mint, and various herbaceous 
