THE CODLING MOTH 



AN ESSAY READ BEFORE THE VOLINIA FARMERS' CLUB, BY B. HATHA- 

 WAY, OF LITTLE PRAIRIE RONDE, CASS COUNTY, MICH. 



Believing that the time is at hand when the fruit-growers of this State will 

 be compelled to investigate the habits of the insect known as the Codling 

 Moth, or in its larval state as the apple worm, I propose to occupy a little time 

 in detailing the results of my observations and experiments with this one most 

 injurious of our noxious insects. 



There are but few men who have any practical knowledge of this moth, or 

 that know the worm that is the real destructive agent, or can tell to what 

 extent their orchards are infested. The past season has not been so favorable 

 for the multiplication of this insect, I believe, as the previous one, at least in 

 this section, though a part of my orchards were badly infested in spite of my 

 efforts to kill the worms, so much so that I could not save one-fourth of my 

 Rhode Island Greening apples, a variety that seems particularly subject to its 

 depredations. 



THE MOTH. 



This moth is one of the smallest of the miller tribe. It is remarkably lively 

 in its movements, though but seldom seen even where most abundant, but may 

 be recognized by the gold or bronze on its wings when once it is found. The 

 moths are all shy insects, and this is the most shy of them all; besides, it flies 

 only in the evening or night. 



It begins its depredations at the time the apple blossoms fall, or a few days 

 later, by depositing its eggs in the calyx or blossom, of the newly formed 

 fruit. And so far all efforts directed to the destruction of this insect in its 

 mature state, — that of the full grown moth, — have been of little or no avail. 

 It is claimed that it does not feed, which is the habit, naturalists hold, I believe, 

 of all this class in their mature state, and cannot, therefore, be poisoned. It 

 hides so cunningly that it cannot be found in the daytime, nor is it attracted 

 by light, as some have supposed, in the night. Consequently our only success- 

 ful method of subjugating this pest must be employed against it in its worm 

 or larval state. 



THE WORM. 



The eggs that are deposited in the calyx of the young fruit soon hatch, and 

 the worms burrow at once into the heart of the apple, feeding upon the pnlp 

 until they are full grown, which requires, according to the observations of 

 those naturalists who have given it attention, from 32 to 36 days. When they 

 have reached the proper state they come out of the apple, and at once seek a 



