74 DECIDUOUS FRUIT INSECTS AND INSECTICIDES. 



the family Trogositidae, has been found to constitute one of the most 

 important predatory insect enemies of the codling moth. The 

 slender and flat form of the larva and also the depressed shape of the 

 beetle enable the insect to penetrate into narrow cracks and crevices 

 in search of prey. Both the larvae and beetles have been found in 

 the cocoons of the codling moth, having penetrated the walls of the 

 same and destroyed the host. Full-grown larvae and beetles have 

 been collected in the late fall and in the spring, which would indicate 

 that the insect passes the winter in both stages. The white and deli- 

 cate pupa was once observed under the bark in a small cavity, which 

 must have been made by the larvae previous to pupation. 



There are several species of carabid beetles that have been found 

 under the bands on apple trees. Of these Pinacodera limbata Dej. 

 (PI. Ill, fig. 3) and Platynus placidus Say were seen to destroy the 

 larvae of the codling moth. Mr. W. Postiff collected in 1910 one 

 specimen of Tenebroides castanea Melsh., which also was destructive 

 to codling moth larvae. These specimens were kindly determined by 

 Mr. E. A. Schwarz, of the Bureau of Entomology. 



In wind fallen apples the codling moth larvae are sometimes 

 attacked by wireworms (species not determined), which have been 

 found in wormy fruit. In confinement the wireworm larvae fed freely 

 upon codling moth larvae, even after the latter were removed from 

 the fruit. 



The larvae of a lacewing fly (Chrysopa sp.) were often obseived in 

 the act of absorbing the contents of the eggs of the codling moth. 

 In the rearing shelter these insects were regular pests, in that they 

 would destroy the eggs in the cages under observation whenever the 

 eggs were left exposed. In the orchards the larvae of the lacewing 

 flies are very common and no doubt they play there an important 

 role in checking the codling moth. 



PARASITIC INSECTS. 



Among the native lrymenopterous parasites of the codling moth 

 Ascogaster (Chelonus) carpocapsse, Vier. (PI. Ill, figs. 1, 2) is the most 

 commonly observed. It has been collected in the States of Michigan, 

 Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and Nebraska, and will probably be 

 found in most localities where the codling moth occurs. The species 

 was originally described by Mr. H. L. Viereck * from specimens col- 

 lected at Douglas, Mich., in 1908 by Mr. R. W. Braucher. The writer 

 also reared the insect in abundance at North East, Pa., in 1908 and 

 1 909. The band records in 1 909 at Douglas, Mich., showed that 0.6 per 

 cent of the codling moth larvae were parasitized, and in 1910 the sep- 

 arate band records showed the following extent of parasitism: New 

 Richmond, 7.7 per cent, Saugatuck 4.7 per cent, and Lake Shore 7.25 

 per cent. 



i I'nx'. Ent. Sou. Wash., vol. 11, p. 13, 1909. 



