102 



GARDENING FOR THE SOUTH. 



burning them when not too numerous. (Pat. Off. Report, 

 1854.) 



Desmia Maculalis. — This insect first appeared on my 

 own vines last summer, 1855, and is very destructive to 

 the foliage. The caterpillar is nearly &n inch long, of a 

 green color, with a black semi-circle on the first, and two 

 more black spots on the second segment of the body. It 

 is very lively, and when disturbed, backs out of its shelter 

 (made first by rolling a leaf and then fastening the outer 

 edge with silk) and suspends itself from the leaf. The 

 moth measures about an inch across the wings; the 

 female, which it is most important to recognize, has two 

 distinct white spots on a black ground on each upper and 

 under wing, two white bands around the abdomen, and a 

 white border around each wing, with a line of black 

 through the centre. Those moths are very troublesome 

 the latter part of summer, and sliould be destroyed by 

 plucking and trampling on each infected leaf, which may 

 be easily recognized by its rolled-up appearance, f See Fat. 

 Off. Report, 1854 ) 



T/ie Vinc-Jiopper is a small insect, very destructive to 

 the foliage of the grape vine. The insect in its first stage 

 is unprovided with wings, and sucks the sap or juice of the 

 leaves with its beak, causing them to turn yellow, assuming 

 a blotched or scorched appearance. The outer skin is cast 

 several times before the insect attains its full size, Avhich it- 

 does about the end of July ; meanwhile it has been con- 

 stantly feeding upon and draining the sap from the leaves 

 of the plant. When fully grown, it is provided with four 

 wings, and jumps with great activity if disturbed, or takes 

 to flight in such multitudes as to annoy people passing. 

 It has been asserted that these insects pass the winter 

 under leaves, roots, and tufts of grass, and in the spring 



