FALSE WIRE WORMS. 
77 
Potato fields near Ham, in Essex; and also an observation sent to 
myself some years ago of such a numerous appearance of the moths 
at a locality on the Cornish coast as to be a serious annoyance by 
coming to the lights at night. They are chiefly noted as occurring 
across the southerly part of England, but I have had a specimen 
from as far north as Stanger Gill, Thurso, Caithness, N.B. 
The caterpillars are full-fed about August and September ; they 
go down into the ground and turn to chrysalids some depth below the 
surface. The moths usually appear about October, but it has been 
stated that those that do not turn to chrysalids till late remain 
unchanged until next spring. 
The moth is a splendid creature, sometimes from four to five 
inches in the spread of the wings. These are variously marked with 
rich brown, orange, and black, and the hinder wings are orange, with 
dark bands ; but the moth may be best known by the scull-like mark 
on the back, whence it takes its name. 
Where these caterpillars are numerous enough to need attention, 
the best plan to get rid of them is to observe which plant is attacked, 
and then look for the caterpillars either amongst the leafage or beneath 
the surface of the ground by the plant. The grub usually rests by 
day, and comes out to feed in the evening and night; from its great 
size it is easily observable in the bright late summer or early autumn 
moonlight, and could be then got rid of by handpicking ; but (if any 
remedy is needed) probably stirring over the ground by the attacked 
plants with a stout pointed wooden peg would be the best way to find 
and get rid of the creature. 
As these caterpillars are somewhat rare, and their finders usually 
desirous to see what they turn to, I may add I have never had any 
difficulty in rearing the moth by simply placing the caterpillar with a 
supply of its food on a bit of garden ground under a wire gauze dish- 
cover (any old one answers the purpose). Thus the caterpillar can, 
when full-fed., bury itself as deep as it pleases, and be quite undisturbed 
in quite natural circumstances till it changes, when the gauze cover 
imprisons it for its owner. 
False Wireworms; Julus Worms; Millepedes. 
Julidce; Polydesmus. 
The Julus Worms or Snake Millepedes, and the flattened Mille¬ 
pedes (figured), all known under the name of False Wireworms, do so 
much harm to various kinds of root-crops, as well as to Wheat, that it 
is difficult to place them under any special heading. 
At Spurstow Hall, Tarporley, Mr. D. Byrd found the flattened 
Millepedes early in November attacking the Magnum Bonum Potatoes. 
