368 AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



time, or through its exit hole in the side of the fruit, the char- 

 acteristic mass of frass or excrement which is the sign of infes- 

 tation. 



The larvae have some difficulty in entering the smooth sides 

 of the fruit, and about 80 per cent of the first generation enter 

 by way of the calyx, while the majority of the second genera- 

 tion enter at the sides, especially where the fruits are touching. 



Before entering the young apple the larva feeds, as noted, 

 on the leaves, but also for a day or two within the partial con- 

 cealment formed by the calyx or blossom end of the apple. 

 During several days, therefore, the little apple worms feed 

 externally, both before they enter the calyx and within the 

 latter, and the object of spraying is to insure their being poi- 

 soned by thoroughly coating in advance, with an arsenical mix- 

 ture, the leaves, and especially the blossom end of every fruit, 

 before the shutting up of the lobes of the calyx. Most of the 

 larvae enter the calyx after it is closed, and are then beyond the 

 reach of any poison later applied. 



The pinkish larva lives in the fruit about twenty days, and 

 grows to a length of about five-eighths of an inch (fig. 40) 

 when, being full fed, it makes a tunnel to the outside of the 

 fruit, the entrance of which is filled with frass and silk. When 

 ready to leave the apple this plug is pushed out. The larva 

 then crawls out and immediately seeks a place in which to spin 

 its cocoon. 



Cocoons have been observed in the following places : In 

 holes and cracks in the trunks and branches of the trees; under 

 rough bark; in the fruits (though rarely); in the cracks in 

 the ground around the tree ; on or between the clods among 

 the fallen fruit; under bands or anything else resting on or 

 against the tree ; in cracks and angles of the walls and roof of 

 the building in which apples are stored; under shingles of 

 buildings near apple trees; in fence posts and under pickets of 

 nearby fences; in paper or other rubbish on the ground; and 

 in various other places. The cocoons of the first generation 

 are composed entirely of silk, while in those of the second 

 generation are incorporated bits of wood and bark. The larvae 

 inside the cocoons transform into pupae in about six days from 

 the time of spinning the cocoon. 



