Notes. 105 



False Codling-Moth. 



For some years past the attention of Mr. D. Gunn, of the Division 

 of Entomology, has been deyoted to the study and control of the False 

 Codling'-Moth, an insect which is often troublesome in the orange 

 orchards of parts of the Union. The results of Mr. Gunn's inquiries 

 have been embodied in a bulletin which is to be printed for the purpose 

 of preserving a record (scientific) thereof, and we give hereunder a 

 summary of Mr. Gunn's findings. For further pai ticulars regarding 

 these experiments inquirers are referrt>d to the Chief, Division of 

 Entomology, who will keep copies of the publication (printed in 

 English only) for office purposes. 



1. The False Codling-Moth is a native insect distributed through- 

 out much of the Union, but more prevalent in certain districts than 

 in others. 



2. It injures oranges, naartjes, g-uavas, pomegranates, apricots, 

 peaches, plums, walnuts, olives, and persimmons. It also feeds on a 

 number of native fruit trees such as zuurpruim, wilde mispel, morula, 

 boerboon, etc. Acorns are also commonly infested. 



3. The influence of moisture appears important in restraining 

 its increase and in reducing the amount of its injury. 



4. Eggs are deposited principally on the rind of the fruit, and 

 hatch in from ten to fifteen days, according to the prevailing 

 temperature. 



5. When the larva emerges it feeds for a brief period upon the 

 rind, and then burrows into the tissue of the fruit. 



6. Infested fruits ripen prematurely and fall to the ground, and 

 when the larva leave the fallen fruit it makes a cocoon on the surface 

 of the soil. 



7. What may be called the spring moths begin to emerge early 

 in September, and continue to do so until about the end of C'ctober. 

 They may deposit eggs on any oranges that are still on the trees. 



8. The succeeding moths begin to emerge in numbers early in 

 January, and continue to emerge until about the end of February. 

 Eggs are deposited by them within a few days after their emergence. 



9. Spraying with arsenate of lead powder in the proportion of 

 one and a half pounds to fifty gallons of water gave good results, and 

 is recommended for the control of this insect. 



10. Cloth bands placed around the trunks of infested citrus trees 

 proved to be ineffective in attracting the larvae to spin their cocoons 

 under them. 



11. Light traps failed to attract the moths, none being caught by 

 this method. 



12. All native food plants should be destroyed as far as possible. 

 Cultivated food plants such as apricot, guava, oak, olive, peach, 

 persimmon, plum, pomegranate, and- walnut had better not be grown 

 near citrus orchards. Guava, pomegranate, and oak are the most 

 objectionable. ' 



13. The flooding or heavy irrigation of citrus orchards during 

 the months of July or August is destructive to larvae and chrysalides 

 in cocoons on the surface of the soil. 



