324 



L. frencJii, will also oviposit upon second-stage grubs, but apparently 

 will not attack third-stage grubs of Dasygnathus australis. The 

 males of both C. radula and D. fonnosus are much more in evidence 

 on the wing than the females, and frequently congregate in numbers 

 at sundown on dead twigs, where they can be collected in handfuls ; 

 the females can be unearthed, together with the paralysed grubs, 

 beneath infested stools. 



LouNSBURY (C. P.) & Faure (J. C). Codling Moth. — Union S. Africa 

 Dept. Agric, Pretoria, Local Series no. 22, 1918, 24 pp., 10 figs. 



This account of Cydia pomonella (codling moth) is \\Titten for the 

 information of fruit-growers in those portions of the Union of South 

 Africa that have recently become infested with this pest. The fruits 

 attacked in South Africa, besides apple and pear, include quinces, 

 peaches, plums and apricots, and, even more seriously, walnuts. 

 Parasites of C. pomonella in South Africa include three native species 

 of Hymenoptera, reared from the larvae. A fourth larval parasite, 

 known as the Spanish codling-moth parasite [Calliejjhialtes messor], 

 was introduced about 10 years ago, but does not appear to have 

 become established. An egg-parasite, which probably occurs through- 

 out South Africa, seems to be a more effective check than all the 

 larval parasites together, and this is most efficient where codling 

 moth and allied larvae occur regularly and abundantly, that is, 

 chiefly along 'the south and east coasts. The least help is obtained 

 from parasites in the open country, where there is little other food 

 than codling moth and where many predaceous insects and birds 

 occur. This egg-parasite is a powerful check on the second and 

 third generations of C. pomonella, but not on the first one of the 

 season. Predaceous enemies of C. pomonella include the Argentine 

 ant \Iridomyrmex humilis] ; in one locality where this ant is prevalent, 

 the codling moth has occurred for a long time without at any time 

 doing much damage. 



Care should be taken at the packing houses, where many larvae 

 leave the fruit to pupate, that these insects are not allowed to complete 

 their development and return to the orchards. After the fruit has 

 been disposed of, the packing house should be inspected and any 

 pupae found there destroyed. Preventive measures include the band- 

 ing of trees, various methods being described, and spraying. For 

 early sprays that are applied as soon as most of the petals are off, 

 2| lb. lead arsenate 50 per cent, paste (or 1^ lb. powder) to 50 gals, 

 water is recommended. The poison must be lodged in the blossom- 

 end of each fruit. For late spraying 2 lb. of the paste or 1 lb. of powder 

 should be used to 50 gals, water. After the early apphcations spraying 

 should be continued every three weeks, or, for the minimum number 

 of sprayings, the development of the insect must be watched and the 

 applications timed accordingly. One application is necessary just 

 before the caterpillars of the second generation begin to do serious 

 damage and another about 7 or 8 weeks later against the third genera- 

 tion. Another spraying is advisable 2 or 3 weeks after the early 

 spraying of the blossom-ends. If the most favourable times are 

 chosen, four sprayings for mid-season fruit and five for late fruit are 

 as many as are required. 



