168 
OPERATIONS FOR AUGUST, &c. 
Common Vapour er Moth ( Argya Antiqua). — This interesting little moth does no injury to L i 
Rose trees, although, in some seasons, the caterpillars are numerous ; hut the season of til? 
feeding being that of vigorous growth, and their continuing but a short time in the larvae sta 
render, it unnecessary to adopt any means for their destruction. The wings of the male moth, 5 
about an inch and a quarter across, when expanded. First pair, dull red, clouded with bro\ 
and having a white spot near the lower side of the outer edge. Second pair, paler, and with [ 
spots. The female is without wings, and seldom moves from the place where she issues outjf ■ 
the cocoon. Caterpillar blue-grey, with a row of orange and red spots on each side, from head ,1 
tail, four white tufts on the back, and many other tufts of long loose yellow hairs, with two lc> 
black tufts proceeding from the head, and one from the tail, measuring, when full grown, t 
inch and a half long. 
Lilac Tree Slender Moth (Gracillaria Anastomosis'). — This little creature is double broode; 
the first brood of moths appear, on the wing, in May, from the larvae of the previous autumn, a 
the second appear in July. The eggs are laid in rows, consisting of from three to a dozen, a 
are placed chiefly along the nervules on the under sides of the leaves. In five or six days t \ 
eggs are hatched, and the larvae eat into the leaves, mining to the upper surface, where they fe! 
upon the parenchyma, leaving the epidermis, or outer skin, untouched. After they have fed in tl 
way for about a fortnight, they leave these mines, and commence rolling the leaves. The roll 
fastened on the outside with a few threads, and the ends are drawn close. Within this habitati 
they remain until they are full grown, eating only half the substance of the leaf ; they then 
themselves down from the leaves, by means of fine threads, and retire beneath the ground, whe 
they spin strong cocoons, and in a few days change into pupse. It is principally on Lilac tre 
planted in shady situations, and on the under branches, that this little moth lays its eggs. T 
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 fee 
upon the leaves of the Lilac tree. It is only single brooded. The caterpillars appear about t 
middle or end of July, seldom in large quantities. They continue feeding until the end 
September, when they go into the pupse state ; and the perfect moth appears the following Jur 
The caterpillar is dark brown, spotted with black, and has a black head. The chrysalis is brow 
thick, and rather short. The wings of the moth are nearly two inches across, when expande 
First pair, yellowish-grey, marked with three brownish violet blotches. Second pair, dull gre 
with a few black spots towards the edge. 
Bridesmaid Moth ( Triphoena pronuha) attacks almost every kind of plant, and is vei 
destructive to the Primula tribe especially. The wings of this little creature are two inches and 
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 vei 
common insect. The caterpillar is a dull brownish green, marked with two rows of black spo 
down the back. The parent lays her eggs about the beginning of August, and the caterpillai 
commence their ravages just above the surface of the soil, feeding only in the night, and retirir 
beneath the earth in the day. In winter they become partially torpid, and may be found coik 
up, beneath the shelter of large stones, or under rubbish, but as the spring advances they aga) 
commence their ravages, and towards the end of April are full fed ; they then form a cocoo 
beneath the soil, and become pupse, and the following July the perfect moths appear. 
The Narcissus Fly (Criorhina Narcissi ), this fine hot season, has no doubt been busy in mo 
gardens. The grubs are dull yellowish white, about a quarter of an inch long, with a brownis 
head ; in this present month it becomes full grown, goes into the pupa state in the ground, an 
the perfect fly appears the following March. They feed upon and cause the bulbs to rot. 
The Tulip Fly ( Bibio hortulanus ) greatly resembles a gnat ; it lays its eggs in the roots, i 
spring, and the young grubs continue to feed upon the roots until the present month. The grul: 
feed in company, and in very dry situations often destroy great quantities of the roots. 
Carnation Thrips ( Thrips minutissima). — 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 brus 
off the insects with a camel-hair pencil, as soon as they are perceived. 
