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16. Another probable reason for the very large number of the insects which appeared this spring, is the drought which prevailed at the time they were hatched. At this stage of their existence they are extremely small, being only a few lines in length and about the fiftieth part of an inch in breadth, so that it may readily be imagined what the effect of a tropical shower would be upon them at this early period of their life. On several occasions, when I was examining the plantations, it was raining very heavily, and underneath the trees full grown caterpillars were lying on the ground, in hundreds and thousands, in a half dead condition. A prolonged heavy rain would undoubtedly have killed
them.
REMARKS,
17. The eggs of the moth are deposited on the upper part of the leaves, and thus the caterpillars have food to go upon as soon as they come out of the shell. The eggs are pink in colour and oval in shape, about the sixteenth of an inch in length and the twenty-fifth part of an inch in breadth, The size of the moths varies, the largest of the females being 24 inches across the wings, and 14 inches long, whilst the males are 2 inches across the wings, and an inch long. Both sexes are fawn-coloured, but the male sometimes has a few white and black markings on its wings. The chrysalids are enveloped in a stiff papery cocoon, which is fastened very firmly to the leaves or other parts of the trees. It will thus be noticed that from the time the eggs are laid until the moths are produced, the insects remain on the trees.
18. In conclusion, it is satisfactory to know that the methods employed for the extirpation of the scourge have been decidedly successful. Of the many thousands of trees which were attacked, only a very small percentage have been killed, and many of those which have had some of their leaves destroyed, are in a fair way towards recovery. The pest which at one time threatened the destruction of all the Pine trees in the Colony has, for the present at any rate, been most successfully coped with.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
W. J. TUTCHER, Acting Superintendent, Botanical and
Afforestation Department.
The Honourable
THE ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY.