INSECTS INJURIOUS TO BERRIES 473 



The Strawberry Crown-moth (Sesia rutilans). On the 

 Pacific Coast the strawberry crown-borer does not occur, but 

 in its stead is another pest that works in much the same way 

 and is even more destructive. This is called the strawberry 

 crown-moth. The moths are a beautiful steel-blue or black. 

 The adults lay their eggs on the crown of the plant early in 

 the summer, and as the larvae develop they bore deeper and 

 deeper into the crown of the plant, sometimes penetrating 

 the larger roots. They may feed on the plants all winter, 

 changing to the pupae early in the summer. 



The control measures suggested for the preceding species 

 should be used in fighting this insect. Care must be taken 

 to remove all of the crown and the large roots, or the larvae 

 will be left in the ground. 



The Strawberry Weevil (Anthonomus si gnat us). These 

 little snout beetles appear in the strawberry patch early in the 

 spring and gnaw small holes through the outer crust of the 

 nearly mature buds where they deposit their eggs. They then 

 cut the stem so that the bud soon falls to the ground. Where 

 this pest is bad, only enough of the staminate varieties of 

 vines should be grown to insure good fertilization, as the 

 larvae feed on the pollen of these plants. It may even prove 

 profitable in some instances to plant early blooming staminate 

 varieties in places where the beetles may readily gain access 

 to them, and then destroy the plants after the beetles have 

 laid all their eggs and before the adults of the next generation 

 issue. Clean culture is important in order that the beetles 

 may have few places in which to hibernate. 



Strawberry Root-worms. The larvae of three or more species 

 of beetles may be found on the roots of the strawberries, some- 

 times entering the crown also. The adult beetles are leaf 

 feeders, and may be controlled by spraying with arsenate of 

 lead. Where the roots are badly infested they should be dug 

 out and burned. 



The Strawberry Root-louse (Aphis forbesi). Early in the 

 spring a few small greenish aphids may be found on the 

 underside of the strawberry leaves. Late in April or early in 

 June ants begin to appear on the vines in considerable numbers, 



