Hybernia
This is a genus of slender-bodied moths, which are frequently destructive, as larvae, to the foliage of trees and shrubs. In all species, the female is almost wingless, while the male has wings from 1 1/4in. to 1 1/2in. in spread. The males have the antennae more or less pectinated. In colour they are all some shade of brown, often verging to reddish, with darker bars crossing the front wings. Their larvae belong to the group of Loopers; they are slender, and are always inconspicuous (shades of green of brown) in colour. The moths emerge between October and March, and the females crawl on to the food-plants to lay their eggs. H. leucophaearia (Spring Usher) lives on Oak; H. rupicapraria (Early) on Hawthorn, Oak, &c.; H. aurantiaria (Scarce Umber) on Hawthorn; H. defoliaria on Oak, Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Hazel, and many other trees. The pupae of all the species lie in the ground near the trees off which the larvae have dropped: hence, an occasional dressing of gas-lime around the trunk, from October onwards, will be beneficial; but care is required, to avoid injuring the tree. To prevent the ascent of females to lay their eggs, various applications to the trunks of the trees have been recommended, e.g., cart-grease and Stockholm tar, in equal parts; or a rope dipped in a mixture of tar and oil, and tied round the trunk. The larvae may be cleared off by shaking the branches over cloths spread on the earth around the trees. Care must be taken to remove those hanging by threads, as well as those that have dropped on to the cloths.