998 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



Fig. 648) and of the Gooseberry and Currant Sawfly {Nematus 

 Ribesii, Fig. 649). Both these occur in spring, and the first- 



FiG. 648. — Perfect Insect, Caterpillar, and Chrysalis of Gooseberry 



Moth. 



named also appears in autumn. Then come the caterpillars of 



the Spinach Moth {Cida?'ia 

 dotata, Fig. 650). Spraying 

 with Paris Green when the 

 fruits are small is the remedy 

 to apply, as all are chewing 

 insects. Powdered hellebore 

 dusted on in the morning 

 is also effective. Both are 

 virulent poisons. It is not 

 advisable to use them when 

 the fruit is of a size for 

 market or the kitchen. The 

 insects are all leaf-feeders. 



Far more difficult to deal 

 with, however, are two moths 

 whose larvae affect the shoots, 

 causing them to droop and 

 die. These are the Currant 

 AND Clear-wing Moth {Sesia tipuli- 

 formis) and the Currant Shoot 

 Moth {Lampronia capitella). 

 Insecticides are of little use in either case, and certainly not in 

 the first. The Lanipronia species also 

 attacks the fruits for the sake of the 

 seeds contained. Removal of all such 

 shoots, and of prematurely-coloured fruits 

 on trees known to be infested, would be 

 beneficial. 



The greatest pest of all is the Currant- 

 Bud Mite {Phytoptiis ridis), which has 

 hitherto baffled all the most experienced entomologists to cope with 

 its attacks. Black Currants only are infested, and the terminal 



Fig. 649. — Larva of Gooseberry 

 Currant Sawfly. 



Ftg. 650. — Spinach Moth. 



