The More Important Apple Insects. 19 
Bordeaux mixture (4+-4—50), the first application beimg made as soon as the 
' earliest beetles appear. Some success has also been reported from the use 
of arsenate of lead at the foregoing strength combined with 1 gallon of cheap- 
grade molasses to each 50 gallons of water. Self-boiled lime-sulphur mixture 
has been found quite effective against this insect in New Jersey and in addition 
would have some value as a fungicide. 
In regions where this species is prevalent, the orchardist during the late 
spring should practice thorough cultivation, especially of sandy land, in which 
the insect thrives, so as to destroy the pup previous ‘to their transformation 
to the beetle stage. The maintenance of meadows on sandy soils. in the 
neighborhood of orchards and vineyards, is bad practice from the standpoint 
of rose-chafer control. 
APPLE CURCULIO.* 
The-apple curculio is a snout-beetle and attacks the apple usually in association 
with the plum’ curculio (p. 7). It is not nearly as’ abundant as the latter, but 
may occur in injurious numbers under conditions that are propitious to the plum 
curculio, as in weedy, uncultivated, unpruned orchards and in orchards adjacent 
to woodlands. It covers the same general territory as the plum curculio, being 
found in the States east of the Rocky Mountains. It has attracted most atten- 
tion as an apple pest in the North-Central States. Among the more important 
food plants of the apple curculio are apple, pear, quince, crab apple, haws. ete. 
Apples attacked by this beetle become dwarfed and gnarled (fig. 32) as they 
grow, and when severely punctured during their early development many drop to 
the ground, where some become sufficiently mellow to permit the larvee to reach 
nraturity. The egg-laying punctures of this insect differ from those of the plum 
ecurculio in that the female does not cut a erescent-shaped slit adjacent to the 
ege cavity. The apple curculio inserts its beak into -the flesh of the fruit and, 
after enlarging the opening at the base, deposits an egg. It then plugs the 
hole with excrement (fig. 33). 
In general the life history and -habits of this insect are similar to those of 
its near relative, the plum curculio, except that the pupz of the apple curculio 
(fig. 834) develop within the fallen fruit, whereas the pup of the plum curculio 
are formed in the soil. The full-grown larva (fig. 35) is a dirty white, curved, 
wrinkled, footless grub, having a light brown head. The small, reddish brown 
adult or beetle (fig. 836), measuring about one-fourth of an inch in length and 
having four conspicuous hunrps on its wing covers, eats very sparingly of the 
skin of the fruit while making its feeding and egg laying punctures, and hence 
poisoned sprays are of comparatively slight value in its control. The very 
minute, oval egg (fig. 37) is at first pearly white, but changes later to dull 
yellowish. 
As stated, poison sprays,are of little avail, though they may perhaps have 
some slight value as a deterrent. It is therefore necessary to rely chiefly upon 
orchard sanitation, such as pruning to admit sunlight and the removal of favor- 
able hibernating quarters, such as trash and litter, from within or near the 
orchard. If the fallen fruit infested with larvee or pupz is exposed to strong 
sunlight, the insects will die, and it is mainly for this reason that the apple 
curculio is better held in check in well-pruned and cared for orchards. Where 
feasible, the prompt destruction of the fallen fruit or raking it out into the sun- 
light will help to keep this pest. in cheek, 
STachypterus quadrigibbus Saye Rare 
