11 Nov., 1918.] Apple Culture in Victoria. 657 



Light-Brown Apple Moth (Caraecia postvittana). 



The habits of this insect are somewhat similar to those of the codlin 

 moth, therefore, by spraying as recommended for the latter, the former 

 will also be effectually dealt with. 



Painted Apple Moth {Tela anartoides). 



This pretty little moth, the hairy caterpillars of which often do 

 considerable harm to the foliage of apple trees, is well. known to the 

 orchardists. In consequence of the gregarious habit of these insects, 

 individual trees are usually selected for attack, and the epidermis of the 

 leaves is quickly eaten off, the skeletons being left intact. The insects 

 rarely do much damage during the time of spraying for the codlin moth, 

 but later in the season, when this ceases, the pest becomes more virulent. 

 An application of the arsenate of lead at the rate of 1 lb. to 30 gallons 

 of water when the young caterpillars are noticed will be found efficacious. 



PiNARA Moth of the Apple {Pinara nana). 



The larvae of these insects, which are not very .numerous, feed on the 

 leaves and buds at night. During the day the caterpillars are difficult 

 to detect, owing to the colouring of their bodies being almost similar 

 to that of the bark to which they attach themselves. Instead of eating 

 only the epidei*mis like the painted apple moth, the pinara grubs devour 

 the whole leaf, but only minor damage is done if the codlin moth sprays 

 be regularly applied. 



Apple Root Borer (Leptops Jiopei). 



This insect, which is indigenous to Australia, is one of the most 

 ■easily recognised, formidable, and destructive of the pests against which 

 the fruit-growers have to contend. In badly infested areas, large num- 

 bers of the beetles emerge from the ground during early spring, and 

 the females commence to lay their eggs in the leaves. As the young 

 grubs hatch out they fall to the ground, and find their way to the roots. 

 into which they tunnel, thus injuring the bark, and interrupting the 

 natural flow of the sap. The branches of trees affected in this way 

 commence to die from the top downwards, and this condition is gene- 

 rally kno^nl as the " die-back." The presence of the borer is further 

 evidenced by the production of sucker growths near the base of the 

 leaders. When a diseased branch system is cut hard back with a view 

 to re-establishing and invigorating it, healthy growth is usually 

 obtained, but tlie tips of the young leaders commence to die back again 

 after about five years of healthy growth. Trees in this condition are 

 also unsuitable as stocks; the grafts may do well for a time, but they 

 also become affected after a few years. Little success has attended 

 attempts made to destroy the grubs on the roots by the use of bi-sulphide 

 of carbon. However, as the beetles eat the leaves, good results have been 

 obtained by spraying the trees with arsenate of lead, and great numbers 

 have been collected from the trees and caught by means of traps. 



(To he continued.) 



