LIFE-HISTORY OF THE DIAMOND-BACK MOTH. 
178 
the hedge sides and hedgerows and ditches and other places 
harbouring weeds should be thoroughly brushed, as it has been 
noticed that the attack of this insect has commenced in corners 
bounded by hedgerows, and has spread gradually over the fields. 
Where the attack is bad the plants should be sprayed by means of 
the Strawsoniser with paraffin oil put on in the form of the finest 
mist. This will tend to check the spread of the pest by making 
the plants unpalatable and offensive. 
Dusting the affected plants with finely powdered soot and lime,* 
put on in good time with the Strawsoniser adjusted for this purpose, 
which blows the pungent substance with great force and equal 
distribution over every part of the plant, would probably effectually 
clear off the caterpillars. 
Brushing off the caterpillars by means of boughs fastened to 
horse hoes has proved to be a good practice, especially where hoes 
or scufflers were used to bury or kill the caterpillars. 
Nature comes to the aid of man in helping him against these 
tiny enemies, for there are two species of ichneumon fly, Limneria 
gracilis and L. tibialis , which destroy enormous numbers. These 
ichneumon flies have long thin bodies, with four clear wings and 
two antennae, measuring one-third of an inch across the expanded 
wings, and lay their eggs in the bodies of the caterpillars. 
The birds also destroy a large number of the caterpillars, such 
as rooks, starlings, lapwings, and sea gulls, as they have been 
noticed in large quantities in the affected fields. 
In conclusion, I trust this hurried glance at the- life-history of 
the Diamond-back Moth, and the enumeration of some of the best 
means for its prevention and cure, may be of some little service, by 
enabling the growers of turnip crops in the Midland Counties to 
keep them free from the ravages of the caterpillars of the Diamond- 
back Moth. 
* Two bushels of lime to six of soot to the acre proved the most effective 
and cheapest, as it not only kills the caterpillars, but is also a good fertilizer, 
and will push the plants forward. 
August, 1893. 
