INJURIOUS AND BENEFICIAL INSECTS OF CALIFORNIA 



415 



THE FALL CANKERWORM 



Alsophila pometaria (Harris) (Family Geometridae) 

 (Anisopteryx pometaria Harris) 



(Fig. 421) 



Description. — In all of its stages this insect greatly resembles the 

 spring eankerworm {Paleacrila vernata Peek), but differs in that the 

 larvae have three pairs of legs on the posterior half of the body, 

 instead of two, and the bodies are more distinctly striped. They 



average about 1 inch 



in length. The pri- 

 mary wings of the 

 males also have an 

 extra light band near 

 the middle. The 

 females are gray and 

 wingless. The eggs 

 are shaped like small 

 flower pots, being 

 smaller at the bottom 

 and with distinct 

 darker circles at the 

 top. They are de- 

 posited in regular 

 clusters of from fifty 

 to two hundred, 

 standing side by side 

 in exposed places. 



Life History.— The 

 life history is prac- 

 tically the same as 

 that of the spring 

 eankerworm, but the 

 eggs are deposited in a compact mass and glued to the twigs and 

 covered with hairs from the female's body, in the late fall <>r during 

 the milder portions of winter, as late as March. The young hatch 

 about the same time as those of the spring forms and work about 

 the same. Full-grown larva 1 were received from Vacaville, April 4, 

 1914, but they were accompanied by many very small ones. The adults 

 issue from October to December, or as late as spring, and immediately 

 crawl up the trunks to deposit their eggs. 



Nature of Work. — The work of this species is the same as that of 

 the spring eankerworm. 



Distribution. — This insect is found in the central and northern parts 

 of the State. 



Food Plants. — The fruit and foliage of the apple, apricot, cherry, 

 elm, maple, plum, prune and other fruit trees. The foliage of many 

 forest and ornamental trees are attacked. 



Control. — Control measures as recommended for the spring canker- 

 worm may be used for this species. Bands around the tree trunks will 

 not prove as effectual, because of heavy winter rains, unless they are 



Fig. 421. — The fall eankerworm, Alsophila pometaria 



(Harris). Larva in character tistic feeding attitude on 

 apricot leaf. Enlarged twice. (Original) 



