1916 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. :r 



upon the grass and clover. That the nymphs do travel through a sod orchard, how- 

 ever, is shown by the fact that a number were taken from a young tree of the 

 current season's phintiiig, placed midway between two trees thirty-five feet apart. 



It was evident from the foregoing experiments that, in addition to spraying, 

 some method jniist be devised to ])revent the nymphs that fall to the ground from 

 reascendiiig the tree, and continuing their injury. Accordingly, another hlock of 

 trees was sprayed, some of which were banded witli the tanglefoot and others not. 

 Subsequent examination showed that the unhanded trees showed insects in abund- 

 ance, while on the banded ones it was almost impossible to find a single nymph. 

 Experiments showed also that a thorough harrowing after spraying had the same 

 effect as banding. Of ail the uidjanded trees, those sprayed in full bloom showed 

 the least injury, but even on these trees the fruit was so badly scarred as to be prac- 

 tically worthless. 



Another dilliculty arose in tliis connection, viz.. that the nymphs are capable 

 of feeding and coming to maturity on grass or weeds growing beneath the trees. 

 Cases oecurn'd in which fruit which had l)een kept clean by spraying was rendered 

 worthless- by adults flying in from outside. For this reason, if this pest is to be 

 controlled, the orchard must be kept undoi- a system of clean cultivation until the 

 end of the first week in July. 



The control of the Green Apple Bug in >7ova Scotia sets a new precedent in 

 heavy spraying in that Province. Furthermore, the method of planting and head- 

 ing frequently does not lend itself to tJie kind of spraying required. The trees are 

 frequently very large, headed very high and BJanted very thickly, so that it is im- 

 ' possible to get tlirough the rows witii a tower on the machine, wliicli is the only 

 way that the tops can be reached. Furthermore, the trees are often very thick- 

 headed, so that even with other conditions favorable, it is a matter of very great 

 difficulty to hit every insect with the spray, and attempts to control the pest in such 

 trees is certain to result in failure. All the foregoing facts must be kept in mind 

 if this pest is to be eradicated from the orchard. 



Summary. 



The observations and experiments of the past season may therefore be sum- 

 marized as follows : — 



1. The Green Apple Bug is one of the most serious pests of apples and pears 

 in Nova Scotia, though hitherto, owing to its elusive habits, it has not been recog- 

 nized as such. 



2. It is the cause of "woody 2)ears " and one of the causes of gnarled, twisted 

 apples. It is the most common cause of the continued failure to bear of Xon- 

 pareil and certain other varieties of apple. It attacks not only the fruit but also 

 the foliage, stems, and blossoms of apples and pears, and in the adult state has 

 I;ecn known to attack plums. 



3. The nymphs are frequently caused to drop from tiie trees by high winds, 

 heavy rains, sprays, etc., and may then either reascend the tree or feed upon the 

 weeds, grass or clover at its base. 



4. Though capable of coming to maturity on tlie foregoing plants, in the adult 

 state they invariably seek the apple and pear to deposit their eggs. 



5. In control, not only must the tree be thoroughly sprayed to kill as many 

 bugs as possible, but those which have fallen to th.e ground must be kept there 

 without food until they starve. If the orchard is in sod, or weeds are abundant, 

 the insects on reaching the adult state, will lly to the trees and continue their 

 work. 



