35 



Handbook of Nature-Study 



Method 

 The lesson 

 should begin 

 with a study 

 of w o r m'y 

 apples, prefer- 

 ably in the 

 fall when the 

 worms are 

 still within 

 their burrows. 

 After the pu- 

 pils become 

 familiar with 

 the appear- 

 ance of the in- 

 sect and its 

 methods of 

 work, a prize 

 of some sort 

 might be 

 offered for the 

 one who will 



Just ready to spray. A pear and two apples from which the petals bring to 

 have recently fallen and with calyx lobes widely spread. school the 



Photo by M. v. siingeriand. greatest num- 



ber of hibernating larva? found in their winter quarters. Place these 

 larvas in a box with cheese-cloth tacked over its open side; place 

 this box out of doors in a protected position. Examine the cocoons 

 to find the pup?e about the last of April; after the pupae appear, look for 

 the moths in about five days. 



It would be a very good idea for the pupils to prepare a Riker mount 

 showing specimens of the moths, of the cocoons showing the cast pupa 

 skin, and of the caterpillar in a homeopathic vial of alcohol; pictures 

 illustrating the work of the insect may be added. The pictures should 

 be drawn by the pupils, showing the wormy apple, both the outside and 

 in section. The pupils can also sketch, from the pictures here given, the 

 young apple when just in the right condition to spray, with a note explain- 

 ing why. 



Observations i. Find an apple with a codling moth larva in it. 

 How large is the worm? How does it act when disturbed? 



2. What is the color of the caterpillar's body? Its head? 



3. How many segments are there in the body? How many of these 

 bear legs? What is the difference in form between the three front pairs 

 of legs and the others? 



4. Look at a wormy apple. How can you tell it is wormy from the 

 outside? Can you see where the worm entered the apple? Was the 

 burrow large or small at first? Can you find an apple with a worm in it 

 which has the door for exit made, but closed with waste matter? How is 

 this matter fastened together? If the apple has no worm in it, can you 

 see where it left the apple? Make a sketch or describe the evidence of 

 the caterpillar's progress through the apple. Do you find a web of silk in 



