Answers to Correspondents

G. B. Mc Keown (Draperstown).–The Large Yellow Underwing (Tryphaena pronuba) is a serious pest in gardens, and should be destroyed. The eggs are laid in July on almost any kind of garden plant. The young caterpillars feed throughout the autumn and winter, and conceals itself during the day time beneath the surface of the ground or under a stone. when exposed it rolls itself up into a ring. It is full fed from March to June, when it changes into a smooth reddish-brown chrysalis, just under the top soil, in an oval cavity of its own making. The caterpillar of the Emperor Moth feeds on heather, willow, or blackthorn in August and September, and before winter spins a brown pear-shaped cocoon, similar to those sent. The cocoon is of silk, not paper.