MOTH BLIGHT. 
55 
white wings are sometimes spotted (see figure), and the bodies are 
sometimes reddish or more or less spotted with black. 
In the larval state they vary both in colour and in sometimes being 
smooth, sometimes sprinkled over with hairs, tubes, &c. 
“ They are to be found under leaves and in situations which are 
sheltered and rather damp ; they are less common during great heat 
than in spring or autumn, but may be found in all stages during 
winter. In the perfect state they may be found in crannies in bark, 
or in the ground, or even under leaves ; in the condition of eggs, 
larvae, or pupae, beneath the leaves which support them, as Arbutus, 
Chelidonium, Alaternus, and Cabbages.”* 
The common Cabbage “Snowy Fly” is represented above as a 
general guide to the appearance of those of which the following 
observations have been given, which are less frequently met with :— 
On Sept. 12th information was sent me by Mr. T. B. Woodward 
from Hardwick Bank, Tewkesbury, of a blight which had appeared in 
his own and neighbouring gardens during the previous fortnight in the 
shape of myriads of tiny White Moths, about the size of a flea or gnat, 
and which were then taking to the Espalier Pears, under the leaves of 
which they were already setting up attack of their larvae. 
On Sept. 17th further information was given that the Moth-blights 
were in great numbers on all the Espalier Pears in a large garden, but 
had not touched any other kind of plant, and a few days later they 
were mentioned as having appeared in a garden about a mile off; like¬ 
wise that on a Privet bush, which had been nearly smothered by them, 
they appeared partly dead, but those on the wall Pear tiees were as 
lively as ever. 
This attack is of special interest, as I do not find either by enquiry 
or reference that any species had previously been noticed as specially 
infesting the Pear. 
A little earlier in the year, on August 18tli, I was favoured, by 
Mr. C. Magniac, M.P., with specimens of another kind, which was 
then appearing in great numbers in his garden at Colworth, Bedford. 
This species of “ Snowy Ely” or “Powdered Wing ” (which was 
infesting Arbutus of some kind or Phillyrea) in the garden, proved to 
be Aleyrodes Phillyrea, which is distinguishable from some other kinds 
by the small scale-like grubs being set over with short tubes or tube¬ 
like growths. 
When the myriads in which these little Snowy Flies appear are 
observed taking up their quarters on trees or shrubs, like the Pear or 
Arbutus mentioned above, much might be done to get rid of them by 
a thorough drenching, syringing applied by the garden-engine, or (if 
* See Monograph on Aleyrodes , by Dr. Signoret. Published in ‘Annales de la 
Societe Entomologique de France.’ 
