314 



INJUEIOUS INSECTS AND FUNGI. 



[Dec. 1895. 



The Magpie Moth appears late in the summer, and places eggs 

 upon gooseberry and curranfc leaves near the midribs, in groups 

 of three or four. The egg is yellow and somewhat broad, with 

 rows of dots upon it. In about 11 days the caterpillars come 

 forth and feed for a brief period upon the foliage, which at that 

 time of the year is by no means succulent or attractive. The 

 caterpillar, unlike most other caterpillars, resembles somewhat 

 curiously the parent moth in its distinctive markings and 

 coloration. It has a black head. Its body is whitish-yellow 

 with a row of variously shaped large black spots along its back, 

 and a row of much smaller black spots on the upper part of each 

 of its sides. There is also a continuous band of a dark orange 

 colour running from the head to the tail on each side, and below 

 this another row of black spots, and two narrow black stripes 

 underneath the body. The first two and last two segments are 

 somewhat coloured with orange. There are three pairs of claw 

 feet, which are black, and only two pairs of sucker feet, so that 

 it progresses by a series of loops. It is an inch and a quarter in 

 length when fully extended. The caterpillars either spin leaves 

 together and ensconce themselves in them and fall to the ground 

 with the leaves ; or they drop to the ground and get just under 

 its surface. They remain in the caterpillar state until the early 

 spring, when they ascend the bushes, and proceed to devour the 

 young and juicy leafage. At this time they do much harm, as 

 they are large and clear the leaves off rapidly. When full 

 grown, which is generally about the middle of May, they turn 

 into chrysalids in a light cocoon, and the moths emerge in 

 due time and place eggs upon the leaves of the gooseberry and 

 currant bushes during August. 



The chrysalid is black and has three rings of a golden colour 

 at the extremity. It is sometimes fastened to the leaves or 

 stems by means of threads, or the caterpillar lets itself down to 

 the ground and pupates there under leaves, weeds, or clods. 



Methods of Prevention and Remedies. 



Unusual warning is given of a coming attack of this insect by 

 reason of the strange arrival of the caterpillars in the autumn 

 upon the gooseberry and currant bushes, showing plainly what 

 may probably be expected in the following spring. On the 

 appearance of the caterpillars, the ground beneath the bushes 

 should be covered with quicklime, or gas-lime, and dug deeply 

 in the early days of the winter. The fruit bushes should be 

 previously pruned in order that any caterpillars that have " spun 

 up " on the branches and shoots may be cut away or dislodged. 

 If it is found after pruning that there are many caterpillars on the 

 bushes it would pay to hand-pick them. All the cuttings from 

 infested bushes sliould be collected and burnt. 



In the early spring, and before the leaves appear, the ground 

 round the bushes should be hoed, the soil pulverized with prong 



