22 



THE EEPOET OF THE 



Xo. 36 



instance in an orchard examined in Vineland, at the same time as the above, I 

 found that of the fallen apples 38 per cent, were infested with Curculio larvae, 

 while of the apples adhering to the trees only 16.6 per cent, were infested. 



In order to estimate, with a certain degree of accuracy, the percentage of 

 Curculio larvas that fall to the ground in the early part of the summer with the 

 small fruit from the tree, I endeavoured to keep a record of the "drop" from one 

 particular Burbank Plum tree, with the following results: — 



PLUMS. 

 Date. 



Total 



Fallen Fruit 



picked up. 



Total 



fallen from natural 



reasons. 



Total fallen 



with crescent 



punctures. 



June 20 

 June 25 

 July 1. 



1,027 

 739 

 250 



924 

 573 

 113 



103 



166 



79 



Fig. 15. Plum Curculio — 

 a, larva; b, pupa; c, beetle; 

 d, young fruit attacked. 



From an examination of the plums derived from the final column in the above 

 table, I found that: — 



On July 2nd I examined the fruits remaining on the Burbank Plum tree, the 

 same as upon which the above records were taken, and found on examination of 

 300 fruits that only 17 showed the presence of Curculio larvae, a percentage of 

 infestation of 5.66 per cent. We note, therefore, that there is a lessening in per- 

 centage of infestation as the season advances, consequently the attack of the Cur- 

 culio passes unnoticed by the ordinary fruit grower. 



The attack causes a certain beneficient degree of natural thinning, it is true, 

 but this manner of accomplishing this important detail in successful horticulture 

 is not correct from economic reasons. As a result of these remarks I do not wish 

 to overrate the importance of the Plum Curculio as compared to the Codling Moth, 

 but what I wish to emphasize is the fact that this former insect is worthy of more 

 detailed study and greater regard by the fruit grower. 



