Green Fruit Worms. 



Xylina antennata AYalk. 

 Xylina laticinerea Grt. 

 Xylina grotei Iviley. 

 Order Lepidoptera ; family Noctltdae. 



In New York state, the vear 1896 has been marked by the 

 appearance in destructive numbers of several insects whicli liave 

 not been noticeably injurious here during the past decade or 

 more. The army worm, which in Jul}^ ravaged field crops in 

 nearly every county in the state, is a familiar example; and the 

 insects discussed in this bulletin also afford another illustration 

 of this fact. 



Most of our correspondence during May and June related to 

 the cause of the large holes being eaten into the sides of young 

 fruits, especially apples. The dex)redators proved to be large, 

 light green caterpillars that have been popularly known as 

 *' green fruit worms." As these caterpillars had not seriously 

 troubled New York fruit growers since 1877, they were a new 

 insect pest to many. This year specimens were sent to the insec- 

 tary from the following twelve counties: Niagara, Genesee, 

 Orleans, Wayne, Oswego, Chautauqua, Ontario, Columbia, Clin- 

 ton, Tompkins, Seneca and Saratoga. Judging from the reports 

 accompanying the specimens, the caterpillars evidently did the 

 most damage in the first five counties named. It was estimated 

 that at least 25 per cent, of the apple crop was injured in many 

 localities. Had there not been an unusually heavy crop of apples 

 all over the state this year, the destruction of so large a percent- 

 age of the young fruit by these caterpillars would have been a 

 much more serious matter. Fruit growers should acquaint them- 

 selves with these fruit-eating caterpillars so as to guard against 

 their ravages in the future, w^hen there may not be so many young 

 fruits to spare as there were this year. 



