64 
ORCHARD INSECTS. 
large numbers. Also tliat trees banded in the early part of October 
fared much better as to absence of caterpillar-attack than those treated 
further on. How long after November 19th the ascent of the moths 
still continued we do not as yet know. 
It does not appear worth while to take up space with mere record 
of date of appearance of the “Looper” caterpillars of the moths now 
under consideration, nor the amount of mischief done, as unfortunately 
all concerned know only too well the devastation caused by the ravages 
of the caterpillars amongst the tender leafage, and that this may be 
considered to begin as soon as the leaves are ready to be eaten. Just, 
however, to give one definite date—on the 1st of May young specimens 
of “Looper” caterpillars were sent me from Toddington by Mr. Charles 
D. Wise, with the observation that they had been hatching there for 
the last three weeks. 
The - point that we ivant to make out regarding these appearances is — 
why is it that when we have sticky-banded the trees properly, and have done 
it in good time, a?ul know that this is the case from the vast numbers of 
moths that we see ive have caught, how after this does it happen that we have 
any Looper-attack at all ? Also, what f urther measures can be taken to 
prevent this ? 
On May 27th Mr. W. A. Sutherland, Chief Reporter to the ‘ Wor¬ 
cester Herald’ (72, High Street, Worcester), sent me the following 
letter relatively to passage of stray moths across the sticky bands, and 
passage of caterpillars in spring over the dried bands:— 
Mr. Sutherland wrote :—“ The blight question is again to the 
front in the county, and many fruit-growers are bemoaning their bad 
prospects arising from insect-plagues.It is now suggested that 
a wider band of the grease-composition is necessary, and that it should 
be supplemented by lime-washing the trunks in spring. One grower 
tells me that he captured thousands of moths on the grease-bands last 
autumn. Some, however, were quite on the upper edge of the band, 
which may be taken as an indication that some others got over the 
grease altogether. On the other hand, other moths, after going a 
short way in the grease, turned back, and laid their eggs on the trunks 
of the trees below the band. Tiny caterpillars have been discovered 
on the trees over the grease, showing that they must have been 
hatched in the upper part of the tree ; and again it is suggested that 
the fully-developed eggs in the dead bodies of the moths captured on 
the grease-paint may be hatched, notwithstanding their position.” 
The following letter from Capt. Corbett (writing from Toddington) 
shows that some moths certainly gained access to the tree above the 
band, as the eggs were noticeable there as well as below it, and also 
gives a plain working remedy, which, so far as it could be carried up 
the tree, might be expected to do a deal of good :—“ We put bands of 
