Insects Injurious to iJie Apple. 



27 



THE GOLD TAIL MOTH. 



(I'dr/lirsiii sniii/is. Eues.*) 



The caterpillar ol' this moth is often very hariiiful, not only to 

 hawthorn hedges, but also to fruit trees throughout the country at 

 certain times. 



It occurs on apple, ]ilum, pear, cherry, nuts and roses. The 

 pretty caterpillars devour the foliage. The chief harm is done by the 

 young larvie when they come from their 

 winter c^uarters, for tliey feed ravemiusly 

 on the tender leaves. 



This beautiful motli, witli pure satiny 

 white wings, is fiauid settled with its 

 wings folded downwards on leaves, palings, 

 lamps, etc., in August. In the male is 

 noticeable a dusky spot on the inner 

 border of the fore wings. Tliora.x and 

 abdomen are pure white, Ijut the latter 

 has a golden j'ellow tail tuft. In size the 

 male varies from 1 inch to Ij inch, the 

 female up to 1 j inch. 



Life-Hist(>i;y and H.i^iuts, 



The life-history may Ije briefly summed 

 up as follows ; The moths lay their eggs 

 in August on apple, plum, pear, cherry, 

 hawthorn, hazel, colj, oaks, Spanish chest- 

 nut (3), roses and other trees. Tlie eggs 

 are laid in golden coloured nests of hairs 

 derived from the female " tail." They 

 hatch in some seven to ten days, and the 

 small larvai feed upon the leaves initil 

 the aiitumn, during this time they moult once (Taschenberg (2 ) says 

 twice). 



As soon as the leaves harden, these little caterpillars at once go 

 into winter quarters. They seek out shelter in bark crevices, under 

 the bark scales, under moss and lichens, and in various holes. Here 

 they spin small dull grey cocoons about ^ inch in length, and remain 

 hibernating during the winter, ^Vlthough tliey appear to be solitary, 

 yet numbers will collect in any suitalile ])lace of slielter. 



FIG. 12. — CuLIi T-Vir. :*InTII AT KEST. 



(Sliglitly eiilaiged.) 



Also known as 1'. anritinn. Fab. 



