150 



ZOOLOG'X. 



eggs during July, in little heaps at the bases of the 

 grass haulms and leaves. The caterpillars hide 

 during the day, and feed at night. They are very 

 injurious even in the autumn, but become insatiable 

 the following spring, always devouring the lowest 

 parts of the haulms and leaves, so that the upper 



Fig. 101.— The Grass Moth (_Cha/rceas graminis) and its cateipillar. 



parts die off. They wander in large companies from 

 one field to another. In June they become pupse of a 

 shining reddish-brown below the surface of the soil or 

 under sods. EnemAes: swine, moles, shrews, rooks, 

 wagtails, ducks, fowls. Remedy: Driving in swine, 

 where this is practicable. 



The Darnel Moth (Neuronia popularis). 



Moth : Length rather less than ^ of an inch ; span 

 of wings nearly If inches. Much variegated, beauti- 

 ful. Fore legs reddish-brown, with peach-coloured 

 glow ; all the nerves and several markings yellowish 

 white, and dark markings as well. Hind wings 

 yellowish, and abdomen white. Head and thorax 

 brown, mixed with yellowish white. Caterpillar : Over 

 two inches long, and about one-third of an inch thick ; 

 16 -legged ; tapers at both ends. Has an oily lustre. 

 Dorsal side of a bronze brown, sharply marked off 

 by a yellowish line from the bright brownish grey 

 ventral side, and traversed by three longitudinal 

 bright brown lines, which in young specimens are 

 almost white. Habits pretty much like those of the 

 preceding species. 



