98 



The moth (Fig. 13, e) is of a grayish-buff or pale ochreous, with fuscous 

 markings on front wings. 



GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. 



This species is probably one of the most generally distributed of the 

 genus. It is recorded by Herrich-Schafier from Glogau. Dresden, Swe- 

 den, and England. Stainton adds Scotland, Ireland, France, Finland, 

 and Canada. It is also now well seated in the Eastern United States. 



FOOD PLANTS. 



In Europe, the Cow Parsnip (Heracleiim sphondylium), Cultivated 

 Parsnii) [Pastinaca sativa), Siberian Parsnip {HeracJeum sihh'icum)', in 

 America, Pastinaca sativa and the Wild Carrot {Daucus carota) are 

 known to be subject to its attacks. 



ENEMIES. 



Kaltenbach (Pflanzenfeinde, p. 282) says that according to Boie, of 

 Kiel, its natural enemies are CryiHus flagitator (jvv .^ Pimpla heracJei, and 

 Hoplismemis dwiidiatus, which he found in the roots, together with the 

 pupa cases of the moth. Curtis (Farm Insects, p. 414) records Criiptus 

 [Phygadeuon) profligator Grv., and Ophion {Pristomerus) vulnerator Grv. 

 as bred from the larvae by Bouche. He also records his own breeding, 

 from a single larva taken from the x)arsnip, of a female Microgaster 

 allied to lacteipennis^ and about thirty females of Encyrtus truncaiellus^ 

 which he believes were parasitic on the Microgaster. In this conclusion 

 he is doubtless in error, as Encyrtus truncatellus ( = Gopidosoma trnnca- 

 tellum Dalm.) is always, so far as known, a primary parasite of Lepi 

 dopterous larvse. It already inhabits this country, and may probably 

 turn up as a parasite of this particular Depressaria. 



No parasites were bred by Bethune in this country, nor by us. Among 

 the birds, however, Bethune states that the Hairy Woodi)ecker, [Picus 

 villosus) visited the parsnip-stalks in bis garden daily, and i)ecked away 

 at the larvae and pupai within. 



REMEDIES. 



Bethune suggests as a remedy tliat, when the young caterjiillars 

 appear on the flowers, the umbels may be dusted over witli i)owdered 

 white hellebore, repeating the operation occasionally. We doubt the 

 etlicacy of this, and should have more faith in the arsenites, notwith- 

 standing Mr. Landreth's adverse experience. Should the flowers be 

 destroyed before tliej^ are noticed, cut ofl" and burn all affected stalks 

 before the moths emerge from the pupa'. The larva^ are easily dis 

 turbed, and may be dislodged from the umbels and collected in pans 

 and burned. 



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