43 



of their vital principle by this dreadful enemy. * * * It is far more 

 destructive to fruit trees than any other insect, infinitely more so than the canker-worm, 

 but unlike the other depredators of our orchard trees, it is easily kept in check, and at 

 small expense permanently eradicated." 



Figure 5 (after Riley), represents both the 

 larva and perfect state of this insect. The moths 

 appear during J uly and August, and expand about 

 an inch and a half. 



Mr. Harris describes messoria as follows: — 

 "The fore wings are reddish gray, crossed by 

 five wavy blackish bands, the first two of which, 

 and generally the fourth also, are double; the 

 Fig. 5. two ordinary spots, and a third oval spot near the 



middle of the wing, are bordered with black. The hind wings are whitish, becoming dusky 

 brown behind, and .have a small central crescent and the veins dusky. The head and 

 thorax are chinchilla-grey; the collar is edged with black; and the abodomen is light 

 brownish-gray. " 



Agrotis scaxdexs. — Riley. 

 The Climbing Rustic Moth — Larva — Tlie Climbing Cut-worm. — Riley. 



This moth, described by Mr. Riley in his First Report, is also on the list of the 

 Entomological Society of Ontario. It is very common in the Western States, and the 

 larva is very injurious to apple and other fruit trees, devouring the blossom and leaf buds 

 in early spring, in the same manner as the species last described. 



Even though it may not be common in Ontario, a knowledge of its habits is necessary, 

 as our fruit-growers are often not aware of the reason why so many of their trees dwindle 

 away and at last perish ; and in many cases the loss may be caused by the attacks of this 

 cut-worm, or others of similar habits. 



The full-grown worm is nearly an inch and a half in length, and of a very light yel- 

 lowish grey colour, variegated with dirty bluish green spots, and when filled with food it 

 has a much greener appearance xhan at other times. In depth of shading, however, it is 

 variable; and the young worm is of a more uniform dirty whitish yellow, with the lines 

 along the body less distinct, but the shining spots more so than in the full-grown ones. 

 There is a well-defined line along the back, and two lines along each side, less distinctly 

 marked. The head and shield in first segment are tawny ; the latter has a small black 

 spot on each side, and the head has two in front and two eye spots on each side. (Riley). 



The following is an account of its habits : — They hide under the surface of the ground 

 during the day, but soon after dark begin ascending the trees to feed, remaining there the 

 greater part of the night. When filled with food, they seem to suspend themselves to the 

 limb by a thread, and drop to the ground. They seem to commence with the terminal 

 buds, and when these are all gone, betake themselves to the side buds, thoroughly destroy- 

 ing all that they attack, so that the tree, if a small one, is often fatally injured. Apple, 

 pear, peach and cherry trees are subject to their attacks and they are also very partial to 

 grape vines. Like the preceding species, they are most abundant in orchards growing on 

 light soils, and less frequent as the soil is more clayey ; the light soil affording them easier 

 access for purposes of concealment during the daytime. 



The worms appear early in spring, and descend into the earth to become chrysalids 

 about the end of May, coming forth as moths during June and July. 



The perfect insect is about an inch and a half in alar expanse, the fore wings are a 

 light pearly bluish grey, deepening towards the hind margin, and the hind wings are pearly 

 white. The usual markings are generally indistinct, with the exception of the kidney 

 spot and sub-terminal line. A black stain at the lower part of this spot forms a most dis- 

 dinctive character, but the peculiar colour of the moth easily separates it from other species 

 of its genus. At the same time it is, like nearly all the Agrotida?, somewhat variable in 

 colour. 



