Egg Destruction 



masses of the March moth, and a few others, and 

 also at times of the lesser ermine (but these are as 

 it were glued over and more difficult to see) may 

 be similarly dealt with. The large cabbage white 

 butterfly also lays its yellow eggs in groups, and the 

 destruction of these will go far to keep this pest in 

 check. 



The gooseberry and currant sawfly lays its eggs 

 in April in sMts along the leaf -veins of its food plants, 

 and again in Jmie. Search for these will avert the 

 disaster a severe attack of this pest brings in its 

 train. See also under III. for eggs of slugs and 

 snails. 



WhQe winter pruning is in progress close observa- 

 tion shoidd be kept upon the trees to discover eggs 

 and hibernating stages of pests. The younger 

 shoots may be covered with the shining black 

 oblong eggs of one or other of the species of aphis, 

 or the apple spurs and young twigs will bear the 

 drab eUiptical eggs of Apple Psylla, or the green (later 

 orange) eggs of the winter moth tucked singly into 

 crevices, as well as those of the insects enumerated 

 above. Various small caterpillars may also be dis- 

 covered and plans laid for their destruction as soon 

 as circumstances permit of measures being taken. 



V. Prevention of Egg-laying. — ^In certain cases 

 measures may be taken to prevent egg-laying (see 

 also trapping). The use of substances obnoxious to 

 insects may drive them to other gardens or districts. 



119 



