80 



creased an already existing strong feeling against the use of Paris 

 green, and many land-owners did all in their power to annul or neutral- 

 ize the work of the committee. 



To prevent the larvae ascending the trees two methods were used ; 

 the one consisting of a band of printer's ink and the other of strips of 

 bagging. While the larvae were unable to cross the band of ink, its 

 composition was such that it required renewal every few days, and its 

 application left each tree with an ugly girdle and possibly did injury to 

 the trees. Insect lime would have been a desirable substitute. The 

 strips of bagging served as a hiding place for any wandering larvae, 

 which were collected and destroyed. 



The work of inspecting vehicles passing out of the district was dis- 

 continued after a trial of about tAvo months j information as to the chief 

 direction of travel from the infested district seems to have been the 

 only result of this work. 



Considerable work was done in trimming trees, clearing away and 

 burning rubbish, and in cementing holes in trees, fences, etc. The hab- 

 its and natural history of the Ocneria as observed here differs some- 

 what from the same in Europe. 



I have no evidence that it is double brooded. The winter is passed 

 in the egg state. There is much irregularity in the hatching of larvae, 

 they were first observed on April 15, in 1890, and on the 20th of the same 

 month in 1891 ; they were abundant May 20. In 1891 larvae hatched 

 as late as June 17 and by the 10th of July young larvae, fully grown 

 larvae and all intermediate stages, pupae and imagos were found. The 

 young larvae on hatching scatter, feed chiefly during the night, resting 

 during the day upon the leaves, branches, etc. The tendency to wander 

 increases with growth. In confinement they cluster together, eat more 

 continuously and strip the twigs in a more methodical manner than ob- 

 served in those feeding at large. Pupae were abundant July 10; this 

 stage usually lasts from twelve to twenty days though several have 

 given imagos after eight and nine days. 



The males fly readily but the females are excessively sluggish; even 

 when blown by the wind they have a marvellous faculty of getting to 

 the ground or to the sheltered side of a tree or fence. The greatest 

 distance I have seen one fly was a little short of 6 feet. The moths are 

 not readily attracted by light. 



As is well known the Ocneria is a most general feeder. I have found 

 it on Linden (Tilia), Horse Chestnut (Aesculus), Maple (Acer), Pear, 

 Cherry, Plum (Prunus), Eose (Rosa), Apple (Pyrm), Ash (Fraxinus), 

 Elm (TJlmus), Hickory (Carya), Birch (Bctula), Alder (Alnus), Oak 

 (Querctis), Beech (Fagus), Willow (Salix), and Poplar (Po})uhis). It has 

 also eaten, in confinement, Virginia Creeper (Ampelopsis), Dogwood 

 (Comus), and Fringe-tree (Chionantkus). It refused Crape (Vitis). 

 Other records include Quince, Apricot, Pomegranate, Hornbeam, Hazel- 

 nut, Lime, Norway Spiuce, Larch, Fir, Azalea, Myrtle, Corn, Wisteria, 



