LIFE-HISTORY OF THE DIAMOND-BACK MOTH 
(PLUTELLA CRVGIFERARUM)* 
BY W. H. WILKINSON, F.L.S., F.R.M.S., 
PRESIDENT OF THE MIDLAND UNION OP NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETIES. 
Nearly two years ago there were frequent and discouraging 
reports in the newspapers, especially from the eastern portions of 
our country, of the ravages amongst the turnip plants by the cater¬ 
pillar of the Diamond-back Moth. As I had the opportunity of 
visiting one of the affected districts, I feel sure it will be of interest 
for me to give some account of it; and this I do more readily in 
the hope that the information may enable our local farmers and 
others to recognise the first appearance of the pest, and, by the 
use of suitable remedies, prevent it devastating the turnip crops in 
our district. 
Some of the worst accounts came from the districts near 
Cromer, in Norfolk, so, for the time being, I made this place my 
head-quarters. Not being familiar with the moths or cater¬ 
pillars, and despising the scant literature at my command, I started 
out, Englisliman-like, to find out all about it for myself, but had to 
pay for my temerity by walking many weary miles over rough turnip 
fields, with dusty soil beneath, and burning sun above, for three 
days, before I felt fully satisfied that I had found the object of my 
search. 
The appearance presented by the turnip fields, in passing along 
by road and by rail, was very peculiar, and will not soon be 
forgotten. In one case nearly half the field reminded me more of 
the sea-shore, with its sandy soil and scarce traceable remains of 
the furrows and dried turnip stumps, while the remainder of the field 
gradually became greener as the devastation wrought by the insects 
was less pronounced. Upon closer examination some of the plants 
assumed the appearance of a group of skeleton leaves, all the fleshy 
parts having been eaten away, while others were filled with small 
holes as if they had been riddled by shot from a gun. The more 
fortunate plants,being less attacked, were stronger and more perfect. 
* The Presidential Address, read at the Annual Meeting at Birmingham, 
Tuesday, July 11th, 1893. 
August, 1893. 
