196 



Tent Caterpillars. 



This has not been observed in Britain. Both these larvae 

 being hairy are avoided by birds, so that little help is 

 given by birds in the orchard when these pests are causing 

 the harm. The cuckoo is the only bird known to devour 

 these hairy caterpillars. Kollar also mentions two beetles as 

 destroying the larvae of C. neustrta on the Continent, namely, 

 Calosoma sycophanta and C. inquisitor. 



Prevention and Treatment. 



After an attack of Lackey Moth larvae the orchards should 

 be inspected in the winter and all egg-bands collected and 

 burnt. Of course on large trees this is not possible, but 

 where it can be done it is a rule that should always be 

 followed. 



The small tents of the Brown-Tail should also be looked 

 for during the winter and cut off and burnt. Any tents left 

 should also be collected and destroyed in the early summer, 

 either on a dull wet day or in the evening, that is, when the 

 caterpillars are at home, or no good would be done. As the 

 larvae readily fall when shaken, care should be taken to hold 

 boards or a sheet beneath the tent when it is being cut off, 

 otherwise little good will accrue, as the larvae soon get 

 back to the trees. 



A great deal of damage will be saved by spraying as soon 

 as the attack is noticed, especially when the tents cannot be 

 reached. For this purpose arsenical washes should be used. 

 Of these washes the three best known are Paris green, 

 London purple, and arsenate of lead. The latter is the best 

 wash of the three, killing the larvae and yet not damaging the 

 leafage, as sometimes happens with Paris green. 



Paris Green Wash is made as follows : — Add J lb. Paris 

 green to 100 gallons of water, and mix up 1 lb. of lime with the 

 same. This must be kept well stirred. Paris green can be 

 used where poultry and stock are kept, the quantity applied 

 to the trees being so small that it will have no effect upon 

 animals. 



London Purple is prepared in the same way as the above, 

 the lime being again essential. 



