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AGRICULTURAL EXPEROIENT STATION. 139 



THE APPLE MAGGOT. 



Trypeta pomonella, Walsh. 



Extensive observations were made the past season on this trouble- 

 some insect and considerable knowledge gained of its life history. 

 As our investigations are not completed we defer an exhaustive 

 consideration until another time. 



That the two-winged fly which lays the eggs may be known we 

 figure it and describe it. 



FIG. 25. 



The perfect insect is a two-winged fly from one-fifth to one-fourth 

 inch long, and is easily recognized by the black bands across the 

 wings, the rust-red head, green ej'es, white spot on the back part of 

 the thorax and white bands on the abdomen. The female is shown 

 enlarged in Fig. 25. The flies appear on the wing in July in this 

 region. The minute larvce, just hatched, were observed about 

 August first, when the apples were nearly an inch in diameter. We 

 would like to have those who are interested in the matter note the 

 appearance of this fly and report, sending live specimens if possible 

 enclosed in a small bottle or box. 



REMEDIES. 



As the larvae go through their transformations near the surface of 

 the ground and often do not enter the ground at all but hide under 

 sticks and about the roots of grass it would seem that plowing 

 would destroy a great many by covering them so deep the}- would 

 not be able to reach the surface. The larvae do not leave the 

 apples before the windfalls drop, and therefore the gathering of 

 them would destroy a great many. 



We do not think spraying when the apples are small, as is done 

 for the Codling Moth, would do any good, as the fly does not 

 deposit its egg until the apples are of considerable size. 



To leave the apples of affected trees ungathered, or to turn upon 

 the ground those found to be infested would multiply the pest. 



