1905.] 



The Vapourer Moth. 



421 



of tufts of dark or black hair on each side of the head and of 

 segment 5, whilst there is also one at the tail. 



The chrysalis, which is hairy, is enclosed in a yellowish-grey 

 and somewhat oval cocoon. 



Life History. — The female moths never move far from the 

 cocoons out of which they have crawled, often laying their eggs on 

 the outer sides of the silken webs, and there they remain to die. 

 The clusters of eggs may be found in abundance during the winter 



Injury caused by Caterpillars of the Vapourer Moth. 



months, the caterpillars hatching out from these eggs towards 

 the end of April. When fully grown the larva spins a web 

 on the bark of a tree, or in any other convenient place, and 

 changes to a hairy chrysalis, the moth appearing in summer 

 in about a fortnight. Wherever an attack has occurred this 

 season, if nothing is done to check it a greater infestation 

 may appear in the same locality next season owing to the females 

 being unable to leave the vicinity. 



Prevention and Remedies. — 1. All the webs that are observed 

 should be collected and burnt, and these may be found on 

 walls and fences, as well as on bushes and trees. 



2. As soon as the caterpillars are noticed to attack the leafage 

 in spring the bushes or trees should be sprayed with Paris green, 

 in the proportion of 1 lb. of Paris green, to 200 gallons of 

 water; in autumn double that strength should be used. As 

 Paris green is not a solution but a mixture, it must be kept 

 constantly stirred as it is used. Lead arsenate is an alternative 

 spray. 



W.M. Forbes. 



