56 BRITISH GALLS 



covered, until it has obtained a sufficient size, and thus makes 

 a habitation in which to pass its first winter. With the 

 approach of spring the sap begins to flow again, and this 

 probably supplies the larva with nourishment; it attains 

 its most rapid growth at the time when the flush is greatest. 

 It remains as a full-fed larva through its second autumn 

 and winter, pupates in April, and the moth emerges at the 

 end of May or early in June, thus occupying a period of two 

 years in completing its metamorphosis." In weakly trees the 

 shoot above the resinous nest dies, and numerous lateral 

 shoots appear just below it. Plate VII., Fig. 8, presents a 

 reduced view of a gallj Fig. 9 is the moth, which is 

 slightly less than i inch in wing expanse; Fig. 10 a 

 longitudinal section of a gall, showing the larval cavity, 

 half the actual size. 



Mompha decorella (Plate VII., Fig. 7) is widely distributed 

 in England, and is frequent in some districts in the southern 

 counties. Its principal food-plant is the Broad-leaved Willow 

 Herb {Epilobium montanum). Barrett observed it in the 

 Haslemere district in 1865, and published notes on the galls 

 in the first volume of the Entomologist's Magazine. Fig. 6 

 shows a gall, half natural size, on the stem of Epilobium 

 parviflorum. It is fusiform, and about 20 mm. long. 



Augasma aemtella is confined to the south-east corner of 

 England, and is rarely found in abundance. Shoreham is a 

 well-known station for it. Messrs. Eustace Bankes and 

 B. A. Bower have kindly sent me galls from that locality. 

 Plate VII., Fig. i, shows Knotgrass bearing the terminal 

 pouch-like galls, natural size; Fig. 2, the insect slightly 

 enlarged ; Fig. 3, longitudinal section of a gall, twice natural 

 size. 



Nepticula argyropeza is widely distributed in England. It 

 is a minute insect, only 6 mm. in wing expanse. Plate VII., 

 Fig. 5, gives an enlarged view of it ; Fig. 4 shows its gall, a 

 somewhat spherical swelUng on the upper part of the petiole 

 of an Aspen leaf, one-half actual size. 



