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OPERATIONS FOR AUGUST, &c. 
Common Vapourer Moth (Argya Antiqua). — This interesting little moth does no injury to the 
Rose trees, although, in some seasons, the caterpillars are numerous ; but the season of their 
feeding being that of vigorous growth, and their continuing but a short time in the larvae state, 
render it unnecessary to adopt any means for their destruction. The wings of the male moth, are 
about an inch and a quarter across, when expanded. First pair, dull red, clouded with brown, 
and having a white spot near the lower side of the outer edge. Second pair, paler, and without 
spots. The female is without wings, and seldom moves from the place where she issues out of 
the cocoon, Caterpillar blue-grey, with a row of orange and red spots on each side, from head to 
tail, four white tufts on the back, and many other tufts of long loose yellow hairs, with two long- 
black tufts proceeding from the head, and one from the tail, measuring, when full grown, an 
inch and a half long. 
Lilac Tree Slender Moth (Gracillaria Anastomosis). — This little creature is double brooded ; 
the first brood of moths appear, on the wing, in May, from the larvae of the previous autumn, and 
the second appear in July. The eggs are laid in rows, consisting of from three to a dozen, and 
are placed chiefly along the nervules on the under sides of the leaves. In five or six days the 
eggs are hatched, and the larvae eat into the leaves, mining to the upper surface, where they feed 
upon the parenchyma, leaving the epidermis, or outer skin, untouched. After they have fed in this 
way for about a fortnight, they leave these mines, and commence rolling the leaves. The roll is 
fastened on the outside with a few threads, and the ends are drawn close. Within this habitation 
they remain until they are full grown, eating only half the substance of the leaf ; they then let 
themselves down from the leaves, by means of fine threads, and retire beneath the ground, where 
they spin strong cocoons, and in a few days change into pupae. It is principally on Lilac trees, 
planted in shady situations, and on the under branches, that this little moth lays its eggs. The 
size of the moth, when the wings are expanded, is something less than half an inch. 
Lilac Beauty Moth (Pericallia Syringaria). — This is another very beautiful moth, which feeds 
upon the leaves of the Lilac tree. It is only single brooded. The caterpillars appear about the 
middle or end of July, seldom in large quantities. They continue feeding until the end of 
September, when they go into the pupae state ; and the perfect moth appears the following June. 
The caterpillar is dark brown, spotted with black, and has a black head. The chrysalis is brown, 
thick, and rather short. The wings of the moth are nearly two inches across, when expanded. 
First pair, yellowish-grey, marked with three brownish violet blotches. Second pair, dull grey, 
with a few black spots towards the edge. 
Bridesmaid Moth (Triphcena pronuba) attacks almost every kind of plant, and is very 
destructive to the Primula tribe especially. The wings of this little creature are two inches and a 
quarter expansion, First pair, grey, deeply clouded with reddish brown. Second pair, yellow- 
orange, with a broad black band near the lower margin. This in most seasons is a very 
common insect The caterpillar is a dull brownish green, marked with two rows of black spots 
down the back. The parent lays her eggs about the beginning of August, and the caterpillars 
commence their ravages just above the surface of the soil, feeding only in the night, and retiring 
beneath the earth in the day. In winter they become partially torpid, and may be found coiled 
up, beneath the shelter of large stones, or under rubbish, but as the spring advances they again 
commence their ravages, and towards the end of April are full fed ; they then form a cocoon 
beneath the soil, and become pupae, and the following July the perfect moths appear. 
The Narcissus Fly (Criorhina Narcissi), this fine hot season, has no doubt been busy in most 
gardens. The grubs are dull yellowish white, about a quarter of an inch long, with a brownish 
head ; in this present month it becomes full grown, goes into the pupa state in the ground, and 
the perfect fly appears the following March. They feed upon and cause the bulbs to rot. 
2 he Tulip Fly (Bibio hortulanus) greatly resembles a gnat ; it lays its eggs in the roots, in 
spring, and the young grubs continue to feed upon the roots until the present month. The grubs 
feed in company, and in very dry situations often destroy great quantities of the roots. 
Carnation Thrips (Thrips minuiissima). — This small insect (which is now very numerous) 
destroys the colour of the petals. The only way of preserving the flowers from injury, is to brush 
off the insects with a camel-hair pencil, as soon as they are perceived. 
