62 



of the bark of a tree or some such suitable place, and there forms a tough silken cocoon,, 

 interwoven with the hairs of its body, and therein changes to a chrysalis, in which state it 

 passes the winter, and makes its appearance as a perfect moth about the early part of 

 Julie. The chrysalis is of a dark shining brown color; is about three-quarters of an 

 inch in length, and ends in a rather obtuse point, which is provided with several hooked 

 bristles. The moth Fig. 60 belongs to the tribe of the Ncctuidas or Owlet moths, so called* 

 because they fly only by night ; they often bear a strong resemblance to each other, and 

 in several species the only method of distinguishing them rightly is by the larvae. The 

 sexes of Acronycta Psi vary in size, the female being about two inches, while the male is 

 only one and a quarter or one and a half inches. The antennse are simple and bristle- 

 formed, rather short and of a greyish color somewhat darker on the under side. The 

 front wings of the female are broad and of a pale grey color with various black linear 

 markings ; the principal one of which is an irregular cross bearing a strong resemblance to 

 the Greek letter " Psi "' placed sideways, and is situated near the anal angle — inter- 

 mediate between this and the tip of the wing is a much smaller mark of exactly- the same 

 shape: the reni-form and orbicular spots are preceptible, though somewhat indistinct; a 

 strong black line (thicker in the males than in the females) proceeds from the base of th 

 wing almost to its middle, and emits two or three short lateral spurs : the hind 

 wings are glossy and of a warmer tint of grey — the edges of both front and hind wings 

 have a whitish fringe with an inner border of black spots. The head, thorax and body are 

 grey. The male is smaller, with a narrower body and narrower wings and fringes ; the 

 front wings being also of a paler grey and more pointed at the apex. 



The larvos being of a tolerable size when full grown are easily seen and destroyed. 

 Search should also be made for the cocoons during the winter or early spring. 



3rd. THE OBLIQUE BANDED LEAF ROLLER {Lozoicenia Eosaceana, Harris). 



LEPIDOPTERA, TORTRIClDiE. 



| 



This moth is a member of a very large family of very little moths that are 

 called, scientifically, Tortrices or Twisters, and popularly, Leaf Rollers, because the larva? 

 roll up the leaves in which they dwell, and form them into hollow cylinders, disfiguring 

 and destroying them at the same time. Most of these insects, when disturbed, let them- 

 selves down to the ground by a fine silken thread. The' larva of Lozotamia Rosaeeana 

 is about half an inch in length ; its color is a pale yellowish-green, with three or four 

 black spots about the head and second segment. The body, which is rough to the touch, 

 is covered with minute warts, each of which produces a short almost invisible hair. They 

 attain their full size about June, after which they line the surface of the twisted leaf in 

 which they live with a web of fine silk, and there change into dark brown chrysalids. 

 After the lapse of a few weeks the chrysalis, by. means of minute prickles which are 

 placed across the rings of its hinder part, pushes itself half way out of the leaf, and 

 bursting open at the upper end gives egress to the perfect moth. 



Dr. Harris thus describes the moth : — " The fore wings are very much arched on their 

 outer edge, and curve in the contrary direction at the tip like a little hook or short tail. 

 They are of a light cinnamon-brown color, crossed with little wavy darker brown lines; 

 and with three broad oblique dark brown bands, whereof one covers the base of the wing 

 and is oftentimes indistinct or wanting ; the second crosses the middle of the wing, and 

 the third, which is broad on the front edge and narrow behind, is near the outer hind 

 margin of the wing. The hind-wings are ochreous-yellow, with the folded part next to 

 the body blackish. It expands one inch or a little more." The larva when disturbed 

 escapes by its silken Hrrcad, and being very active often eludes capture. 



Its depredations are sometimes very serious, more especially as the insect appears to 

 select the terminal branches of the tree, and thus effectually checks its growth. When- 

 ever practicable, the curled and twisted clusters of leaves should be prcked and crushed ; 

 it has also been suggested to thoroughly drench the trees with a .mixture consisting of a 

 pound of whale oil soap in seven or eight gallons of water, and thus destroy the cater- 

 pillars hidden in the leaves ; a weak solution of carbolic acid is also recommended. 



