ORCHARD AND GARDEN.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1208, 26 April 1895, Page 6

ORCHARD AND GARDEN.

LEAFLETS FOR GARDENERS AND FRUITGROWERS, NO. 5. New Zealand Depabtment of AGRICULTURE. John D. Bitchie, Secretary. CURRANT-BORER, CURRANT CLEAR-WING, CURRANT SPHINX. (JEgeria tipuliformis.) By T. W. Kirk, F.L.S., &c, London. This moth may usually be seen from September onward. The wings of the perfect moth, when expanded, measure about three quarters of an inch from tip to tip, transparent ; veins, and a cross bar near the middle, black. At the end of each wing is a black patch, with coppercoloured reflections. Body very dark blue, with golden-yellow band on shoulder, and four .rings of same colour on abdomen.

Fig. 1. Grub ; Fig. 2. Pupa; both enlarged. Fig. 3. Perfect insect, natural size, altered from Cooke and Wright.

The* eggs are laid in the interstices of the bark or other crevices on the young, shoots of currant-bushes. Very soon small white grubs appear, which immediately, eat their way into the shoot and devour thejpith. When about to_ turn into "pupa," each grub eats a hole in the stem sufficiently large to allow the exit of the perfect insect. It then takes up a position just below the hole, assumes the pupa dress, and in about a week the perfect moth emerges. The branches, being weakened by the borer, assume a stunted appearance' and frequently large boughs are broken off, sometimes by their own weight, but more often by the wind, their enfeebled condition rendering them unable to withstand a fresh breeze. Specimens of currant branches attacked by this insect have been received from several distriots. Spraying the plants with kerosene emulsion, tar-water, or whale-oil soap has been found beneficial. The bushes should be frequently examined during spring, and any affected branches carefully removed i and burned. This, . done systematically, will soon rid the garden of the pest, or, at any rate, so reduce the number as to render it comparatively harmless. . May, 1894.