564 The Insect and Allied Pests of the Hop. [Oct., 



year is followed by one in which scarcely a hop-dog can be 

 found. 



The larvae are found in August, September, and October. 

 At first they remain in clusters, their heads together. In 

 a week they wander over the bine. When full grown 

 (PI. II., Fig. 3) they are very beautiful creatures, 

 subject to much variation. The commonest form on 

 hops is a pale yellowish-green, becoming reddish or 

 brownish, with four large hairy tufts on the back, and 

 between these deep velvety black patches and another 

 after the last tuft; the twelfth segment is provided with a 

 dull red to purplish tail-like tuft pointing upwards, the whole 

 body being covered with long hairs. When mature they 

 reach nearly two inches in length, and spin a delicate cocoon 

 amongst the leaves. The pupae are dark chestnut-brown to 

 black, and have two paler bands upon the body. The pupae 

 remain on the dead leaves, &c, all the winter; others 

 are found on the poles, others on weeds, and on trees 

 around the hop gardens. This caterpillar also feeds upon 

 alder, elm, hornbeam, and beech, and numbers have been 

 found on wild hops in the hedgerows in Kent. No steps 

 save hand-picking need be taken in regard to this insect, and 

 this only in exceptional cases. 



Other Lepidoptera found on Hops. 



Several other Lepidopterous caterpillars feed on the hop, 

 but do not occur in sufficient numbers to do any harm. 



The spiny larvae of the Comma Butterfly (Vanessa 

 C. -album, Linn.), may be found in Worcestershire and Here- 

 fordshire, sometimes in considerable numbers. The large 

 caterpillars of the Eyed Hawk Moth (Smerinthus ocellatus, 

 Linn.) have also been noticed on hops in Kent. 



The Hop and Currant Pug Moth (Eupithecia assimilata, 

 Gn.) is found in Kent in its larval stage on hops, as well as on 

 currants in September and October. Just about picking 

 time the long stick-like greenish caterpillars of the Pepper 

 and Salt Moth (Amphidasys betularia, Linn.), called "Hop 

 Cats," are of frequent occurrence, whilst it is not unusual at 

 this time to notice the hairy Vapourer Moth (Orgyia antiqua, 



