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Carrot Blossom Moth

(Depressaria daucella). The caterpillars of this moth inflict considerable damage on the Carrot seed-crop, in summer, by eating away the flower-heads, which they envelop with their webs. According to Miss Ormerod, the caterpillar is of a greenish-grey or yellowish colour, with black, hairy warts, and some faint streaks along the back; and the head, as well as the upper side of the first segment behind it, is brown or black. It is only about 1/2in. long when full grown. Sometimes the caterpillar changes to the chrysalis in the flowerhead; sometimes it bores for this purpose into the stem. The moth is little more than 3/4in. in the spread of the upper wings; the head and body between the wings are reddish-brown, freckled with black. The upper wings are of the same colour, freckled with white, and having black streaks, and the under sides dark; the hind wings are light grey.

The only effectual way of destroying this pest is to shake the infested plants, when the caterpillars will descend by means of a thread, and may be killed by burning or otherwise. A dusting of powdered Hellebore would probably be of some service; but, being a deadly poison, it should be used with great caution.