312 Insect Pests. 



over the leaf or standin- away from it. This leaf box is held in 

 place by the mid rib, which is not touched by the beetle. In length 

 this case is aljont h i"cli and rather more than \ inch in diameter. 

 As many as fifty have been counted on one small branch of a chest- 

 nut. It is formed liy the female cutting a trans^•erse incision aliont 

 half-way down the leaf to the mid rib, the cut terminal part is then 

 rolled into the box. In each case before it is rolled up, the female 

 deposits an orange ovum, which hatches into the larva in a week or 

 ten days. 



The bright orange egg is easily seen ; one only is placed in each 



FIG. '111. — LKAF BOX Bl<;K'rLE {Mti'lah'n 



[Iluriav Kni.jht. 

 ASH LEAF XEST. 



box. The maggot feeds inside this cliamber and pupates tliere, either 

 when on the tree or on the ground. 



The beetles may occur early iu ^lay, but tlie majority do so in 

 tlie first two weeks in June. 



Tlie colour is briglit Ijrick-dust reil ; the head being black and 

 also tlie scutellum, both thorax and abdomen are very finely 

 punctate, the legs are dark brown aiul the tibi;e dentate on their 

 inner side. The male diflers fnun the female by having a single 

 curved hook at the apex <if the front tibia' and reddish hairs on the 

 abdomen ; the female has two curved hooks on the apex of the front 

 tibia^, and a smooth, body. The length ^■aries from 1 to } inch. 



The hazel and hawthdrn also serve as food plants. 



It is very common in Kent and many of the midland counties, 

 and is especially abundant at certain times in the Forest of Dean. 



