200 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. 



the larvse of G. pi'univora resembled that of the Codling Moth (Carpocapsa pomonella, 

 L.). Not only was the skin and flesh just around the calyx eaten, but the apple was 

 bored into extensively, the core being frequently reached and the pips eaten in precisely 

 the same way as is done by the Codling Moth caterpillar. Every specimen was examined 

 carefully and proved to be G. prunivora. This same fruit was also found, as stated 

 above, to be badly infested by the Apple Fruit-miner, as well as the Lesser Apple-worm, 

 both kinds occurring in the same apple. 



" Victoria, May 8. — The specimen that I am sending is the only adult that I have 

 mana^jed to rear ; you will note in size it is not more than half the size of the Codling 

 Moth ; it has also different markings and its larva never reaches more than half the size 

 of the Codling Moth larva when full-grown. This is the insect whose larva is so often 

 mistaken in this province for the larva of Codling Moth and reported as such. It is 

 fairly common in some spots, but owing to its size cannot do so much damage to the 

 fruit it attacks." — [E. A. Carew-Gibson.] 



" Victoria, Dec. 15. — The larva of Grapholitha prunivora has been found this season 

 widely distributed all through the lower mainland and the Islands as well. Although 

 usually attacking apples, feeding at the calyx end of the fruit for about \ an inch down, 

 it is also often found inside the fruit, and has been been frequently mistaken for the 

 larva of the Codling Moth (Carpocapsa pomonella). It has also occurred quite often in 

 plums and prunes, and specimens of fruit so infested have been sent in or collected from 

 the whole of the districts named. 



*' This pest and the Apple Fruit-miner evidently need more attention at the hands 

 of our fruit growers in the future than has heretofore been accorded them. In the case 

 of the Lesser Apple-worm, I think that spraying with Paris green as for the Codling 

 Moth may be of considerable value. I shall be glad of any suggestion you can make as 

 to dealing with these pests. 



" A large number of the larvse collected this season have been carefully attended 

 to by Mr. E. A. C. Gibson, and it is hoped that a number of specimens of the perfect 

 insects and perhaps some parasites will hatch out in the spring. Many specimens of fruit 

 collected contained larvas of both species." — [R. M. Palmer.] 



From the past histoiy of this insect, particularly in British Columbia, and after talk- 

 ing the matter over with Mr. Palmer and Mr. J. R. Anderson, who three years ago found 

 numbers of apples badly infested in Capt. Gaudin's garden, at Victoria — from which, 

 however, the insect has since entirely disappeared — I think it hardly likely that this 

 caterpillar will develop into a serious pest of apples or plums. It is probable that the 

 injuries of this year, which are certainly exceptional, were due to the failure of the wild 

 crabs to produce fruit this year in British Columbia, and that both this insect and the 

 Apple Fruit muier were driven to cultivated fruits, as it is related in Dr. Reuter's 

 interesting letter was the case with Argyresthia conjugella in Finland this year. 



Should injury by the Lesser Apple-worm continue, I have no doubt, as suggested by 

 Air. Palmer, that spraying with Paris green should be the first remedial experiment tried. 



Notes on the Lesser Apple-worm, hy Mr. E. A. Carew-Gihson. 



Aug. 16, 1897. — Received from Hornby Island, a number of apples infested with 

 a small boring worm. 



Sept. 17. — Found six larvfe from above apples spun up, five in the paper beneath the 

 apples, using the paper fibre for their cocoon, and one spun up on the cork of a small 

 specimen bottle using cork dust for its cocoon ; all the spun up larvse at this date 

 unchanged. The specimens are f inch long, ^-^ inch in diameter, tapering slightly 

 towards both extremities ; reddish pink to pale pink in colour, lightest in colour between 

 the segments. Head smaller than 1st segment, with blotchy darkish brown marking'?, 

 thoracic and anal plates also darkish, marked with brosvn. Body covered with white 

 bristles, with finely dotted surface to the skin (under the microscope). Surface with 

 lumps and depressions. Very active when placed in the sunshine, evidently at once 

 seeking shelter for spinning up. The larva spun up on the cork very closely covered over 

 with cork dust. 



May 7, 1898. — One very active little moth emerged. 



E. A. Carew-Gibson. 



