42 



THE REPORT OF THE 



No. 36 



INSECTS OF THE SEASON IN ONTARIO. 

 L. Caesak, O.A. College, Guelph. 



Orchard Insects. 



Most of our common orchard insects, such as Codling Moth, Plum Curculip, 

 Bud Moth, Case-bearers, Blister Mite, Round-headed Apple-tree Borer, and 

 Pear and Cherry Slugs have scarcely done so much damage this year as usual; 

 at any rate, no coiH/plaint of difficulty in keeping any of them under control has 

 reached me. 



Tent-Caterpillars (Malacosonia americana and M. disstria) were again 

 abundant in the eastern part of the Province, and the former has spread westward 

 throughout a large part of the Province. In the east, however, neither species 

 was quite so numerous as usual, and, according to the reports of district repre- 

 sentatives and others, many caterpillars died before pupating, indicating probably 

 that they were attacked by disease. In July, I examined numerous cocoons of 

 disstria, the more common species, and observed that 90 per cent, of them Mere 



Fig. 3. — Work of Plum Curculio (Oonotrachelus nenuphar). 



infested by a taehinid larva. There are fewer egg masses of both species this * 

 fall in the east than last year, and many of these masses have the surface 

 roughened as if injured in some way. It is probable that the long siege of Tent- 

 eaterpillars is about at an end. Lime-sulphur applied as the eggs are hatching 

 proved once more an excellent remedy, even without any poison. 



San Jose Scale {AspidiotiLn pernlciosus) . The lasit two seasons with their 

 long warm autumns have given the scale a wonderful chance to increase rapidly 

 in infested orchards. This pest has not, however, so far as known, spread mucli 

 since our last report, though it has been found in several new places in districts 

 where we suspected it might be. A more vigorous campaign than ever is being 

 carried on' against the pest. The chief trouble in control is to get trees thoroughly 

 sprayed. 



A large number of parasites were imported in 'September from Pennsylvania 

 and were distributed in various places in Niagara district and in Essex County. 

 More will be forwarded from the same State next spring. Seven small twigs, 

 averaging 41/2 inches long and 14 of an inch in diameter, were reserved and 

 placed in breeding Jars. Parasites continued to emerge for one month from date of 

 sending. About 80 individuals were obtained, nearly all of these being Pro- 

 spaltella perniciosi, Tower. It is hoped, therefore, that a large number of these 

 parasites have become established in the orchards, especially as the weather was 

 warm and fine for consideralblc time nffor tbov arrived. 



