110 AN INQUIRY INTO THE MAIZE DISEASE ; 
same time hatched out the moth from maize stems, and one 
specimen from the stalk of a dahlia. 
A single example also was hatched out by myself from 
caterpillars found feeding on the senna bean (Phaseolus 
gladiatus)*. This moth, which may be known as the 
peach moth, has been referred to Dr. Lucas, of Melbourne, 
and he informs me that it belongs to the Pyralidz, and is 
named Conogethes punctiferalis, Guenee. 
It was thought that this moth, which eats apples as well 
as peaches, might be the codlin moth of Europe and North 
America, but I am informed at the Museum that the latter 
is an entirely different insect. 
The caterpillar, when feeding on unripe peaches, may be 
observed to tie several fruits together, making burrows in 
their substance. The peaches never ripen, do not fall off 
the branches, but remain hard and dry on the tree for months. 
The grubs soon hatch out into the moth form, seeking later 
peaches, apples, maize or other succulent vegetable matter to 
lay their eggs in. The eggs are also laid on the female 
tassle of the maize, the grubs developing therefrom finding 
a home at the point of the developing ear. Should the maize 
be insufficiently advanced the grub will bore the maize stalk, 
as we find by the experience of this season. 
From the early maize a large flight of moths is probably 
developed that attack the later maize, and so the chief crop 
may be destroyed. 
What can therefore be done to reduce the risk of general 
maize destruction? Clearly it will be necessary to husk 
the early crops of maize as soon as possible, destroying the 
grubs by hand or by passing the ears through the maize 
sheller. It would be advisable also to look to the peach 
trees and remove the fruit infested by the caterpillars. 
With regard to the late crops of maize, it would be well to 
clean it also, and, if not shelled, the husk should be taken 
off the ears and the grubs destroyed wherever found bur- 
* This bean has suffered much during the present season from cater- 
pillars, which bore into the ripening seeds. They become small brown 
moths. 
+ The small maggot that eats ripe peaches is of another order of insects, 
and does not now concern us. It develops into a two-winged fly that, on 
casual inspection would pass for a small wasp. : 
