67 



on these hardier sorts, the ill-effects produced by the lice may in some measure be coun- 

 teracted. The roots recommended to be used as stocks are those of Concord, Clinton, Her- 

 bemont, Cunningham, Norton's Virginia, Rentz, Cynthiana, and Taylor. The Clinton, 

 one of the varieties recommended, is particularly liable to the attacks of the gall-produc- 

 ing type of Phylloxera, but the lice are seldom found to any great extent on its roots, 

 and the vine is so vigorous a grower that a slight attack would not produce any percept- 

 ible effects. 



The Grape Berry Moth — Lobesia botana. 



This is another grape pest which has appeared in our midst of late and promises to 

 be a troublesome insect to contend with. It is an imported species, one which has long 

 been injurious to grape culture in the south of Europe. The exact period of its intro- 

 duction to America is not known, and it is only within the past few years that attention 

 has been called to its ravages. When abundant it is very destructive ; in some instances 

 it is said to have destroyed nearly fifty per cent, of the crop. 



During the past season it has been very abundant in the neighbourhood of London, 

 there being very few vines the fruit of which has not been more or less injured. The 

 young larvae have usually been first observed early in July, when the infested grapes 

 show a discoloured spot where the worm has entered. See (Fig. 82 c). When the grape 

 is opened and the contents carefully 

 examined there will usually be found 

 in the pulp a small larva rather long 

 and thin, and of a whitish green colour. 

 Besides feeding on the pulp it some- 

 times eats portions of the seeds, and if 

 the contents of a single berry are not 

 sufficient, two, three, or more are drawn 

 together as shown in the figure and 

 fastened with a patch of silk mixed 

 with castings, when the larva travels 

 from one to the other, eating into 

 them and devouring their juicy con- Fig. 82. 



tents. At this period its length is 



about an eighth of an inch or more ; the head is black and the next segment has a 

 blackish shield covering most of its upper portion ; the body is dull whitish or yellowish 

 green. As it approaches maturity it becomes darker in colour and when about one-third 

 of an inch long is full grown, see b, figure 82. The body is then dull green with a red- 

 dish tinge and a few short hairs, head yellowish green, shield on next segment dark brown, 

 feet blackish, pro-legs green. 



When the larvae is full grown it is said to form its cocoon on the leaves of the vine, 

 cutting out for this purpose an oval flap, which is turned back on the leaf forming a snug 

 enclosure which it lines with silk ; frequently it contents itself with rolling over a piece 

 of the edge Of the leaf, and within such retreats the change to a chrysalis takes place. 

 The chrysalis is about one-fifth of an inch long and of a yellowish or yellowish brown 

 colour, from which the moth finally escapes. 



The perfect insect which is shown magnified, a, figure 21, measures when its wings 

 are spread nearly four-tenths of inch across. The fore-wings are of a pale, dull bluish shade 

 with a slight metallic lustre, becoming lighter on the interior and posterior portions, and 

 ornamented with dark brown bands and spots. The hind wings are dull brown, deeper 

 in colour towards the margin, body greenish brown. It is said that there are two broods 

 of this insect during the year. We have never seen them at any other time than in the 

 autumn when the grapes are approaching maturity. 



Remedies — As it is probable the most of the late brood pass the winter in the 

 chrysalis state attached to the leaves, if these were gathered and burned a large number 

 of the insects would perish. The infested grapes might also be gathered and destroyed. 

 This insect is attacked by a small parasite which doubtless does its part towards keeping 

 the enemy in subjection. 



