342 INSECTS INJURIOUS TO THE RED CURRANT. 



The presence of this parasite may be detected by the dis- 

 coloration of the eggs, which become brown. A species of 

 Ichneumon, Hemiteles nemativorus Walsh, is parasitic on the 

 caterpillar, while the placid soldier-bug, Podisus placidus 

 Uhler, also destroys the larva. This friendly insect, which is 



shown magnified at a in Fig. 355, and of 

 Fig. 355. ^j^^ natural size in the outline below, has the 



head, thorax, and legs black, and the ab- 

 domen red, with an elongated black spot 

 in the centre, crossed by a whitish line. It 

 ^ approaches a caterpillar, thrusts its pro- 

 boscis into its victim, and sucks it until it 

 shrivels and dies. An average-sized bug 

 will consume several of these larvae every 

 day, and, where they are plentiful, must 

 prove a material check to the increase of 

 the saw-fly. The aphis lions, the larvse 

 of the gauze-wing flies, Chrysopa (see Fig. 132, under No. 

 57), also devour them. 



Notwithstanding these various aids among insects, it is 

 usually necessary to employ other remedial measures, and 

 nothing is more efficient than powdered hellebore mixed with 

 water, in the proportion of an ounce to a pailful, and sprinkled 

 freely on the bushes. If thoroughly applied, most of the 

 larvse will be found dead or dying within an hour afterwards. 

 If hellebore is not at hand, hot water may be used, a little 

 hotter than one can bear the hand in, showered plentifully on 

 the bushes. This will not injure the foliage, but will dislodge 

 most of the larvae, and when on the ground they can be trod- 

 den on and destroyed. Hand-picking may also be resorted to, 

 especially while the insects are young and feeding in groups 

 of twenty to forty on a leaf. An experienced eye will soon 

 detect them, usually on the lower leaves of the bushes, the 

 little holes in the leaves aiding in their discovery. 



