The Curculio. 35 



against Codling moth and at the same time aids in preventing the spread 

 of some destructive fungi. 



"Cultivation is an effective means for destroying plum curculia 

 pupae and for promoting conditions generally unfavorable to insects, 

 but the benefits of cultivation do not end here. The physical condition 

 of the soil is improved and plant food renedered available. Growth of 

 both trees and fruit is stimulated and the increased vigor insures 

 greater resistance to the ravages of insects and diseases. In view of 

 the wide reaching effects of the means commended for the detsruction 

 of curculio, the cost attending their application is not chargeable to 

 curculio alone. To fight curculio is virtually to attack all orchard pests 

 and to make right any conditions not favorable to the growth and pro- 

 ductiveness of orchard trees. 



CONCLUSIONS. 



It seems possible to attack the curculio in three different ways: 

 First — By spraying with arsenical poisons. This method aims at 

 the destruction of the adult or beetle stage of the insect only. 



Second — By destruction of fallen fruit. This method of attack 

 aims at the egg and larvae stages of the insect. All fallen fruit must 

 be taken into account, not only the larger fruits that fall in late sum- 

 mer, but more particularly the small apples that fall in June and early 

 July. The early fallen fruit is usually ignored, but is really more im- 

 portant from the standpoint of attack on curculio than the late fallen 

 fruit, because oviposition and larval development is at its height early 

 in the season. 



Third — Cultivation. This method of attack is directed against the 

 insect in the ground and may affect the three stages, larvae, pupa, and 

 beetle, but is more particularly intended to destroy pupa. 



The experiments given have demonstrated: 



First — That both larvae and pupae are very delicate and extremely 

 sensitive to exposure to light and air. 



Second — That short exposure to direct sunlight is fatal to both 

 larvae and pupae. 



Third — That ants and other predaceous insects, as well as birds, 

 prey upon both larvae and pupae. 



In the light of these facts superficial tillage for a period of thirty 

 «r more days from July 10th is commended as an effective means of 

 attacking plum curculios. 



To advocate measures against curculios is, in effect, to urge the 



