320 FRUIT INSECTS 



in form, obtusely rounded at the ends, and is about 3V inch in 

 length ; before hatching it becomes nearly pear-shaped and 

 increases in length to over ^\ inch. The leaf tissue above the 

 egg becomes dry and somewhat withered and finally turns to a 

 light yellow color, giving the leaf a characteristic spotted 

 appearance. 



The eggs hatch in a week or ten days. At first the larvae 

 feed on the outer epidermis only, but as they grow larger eat 

 out irregular holes through the leaf, and finally leave only the 

 larger veins. When sufficiently abundant to devour all the 

 foliage, they often attack the tender bark of the new growth. 

 They also feed to a slight extent on the blossom buds and im- 

 mature fruits. 



The full-grown larvae are about j inch in length, fight green 

 in color and covered with spine-bearing tubercles arranged in 

 double transverse rows. They become mature in about ten 

 days, and then crawl to the ground, where at a depth of two or 

 three inches they construct oblong, nearly cylindrical cocoons 

 composed of a dark brown mucilaginous substance mixed with 

 strands of silk and particles of earth. The larva remains within 

 the cocoon in a quiescent condition, known as the prepupa, 

 until the following May, when it transforms to a pale green 

 pupa, and the adults emerge in a few days. 



Treatment. 



If the soil is well cultivated and free from weeds, the larvae 

 may be brushed from the bushes during the heat of the day 

 and will perish without being able to regain their food-plant. 

 Pine branches are often used for this purpose. The larvae 

 are easily killed by arsenical sprays, but as there is some danger 

 in their use on ripening fruit, it is better to use hellebore, 1 

 ounce in 1 gallon of water. 



Reference 

 N. Y. (Geneva) Agr. Exp. Sta. Bull. 150. 1898. 



