THE CONTROL OF THE CODLING MOTH. 



INTRODUCTION. 



Everyone is familiar with the injury caused l)y the codling moth 

 {Carjpocapsa pomo7iella Linn), but very few know the insect which 

 causes the irregular cavity in the apple and renders it unfit for use. 



If injurious insects were classified according to the monetary loss 

 caused by them, the codling moth would undoubtedly rank first among 

 insects injurious to fruits, as it causes more loss than all other fruit 

 insects combined. It has been estimated that from one-fourth to one- 

 half of the apple crop of the United States is either totally ruined or 

 materiall}' injured by it. In many large areas this insect would cause 

 a total loss if it were allowed to take its natural course. By the use 

 of the best measures of control the larger part of this loss could be 

 prevented, as many apple growers in badly infested regions are saving 

 from 85 to 98 per cent of their fruit each year. 



DISTRIBUTION AND SPREAD. 



The original home of this insect was most probably in southeastern 

 Europe — the home of the apple. It has followed closely the distribu- 

 tion of the apple until it is now found in almost every country in the 

 world, and is injurious in every apple-growing section of any impor- 

 tance in the United States. 



It "is spread principally by the shipping of infested fruits. When 

 the fruit is picked and packed the young larvae are often inside, and 

 when they complete their development they crawl out of the fruit and 

 spin cocoons. When the moths emerge they fly to the nearest orchard 

 and deposit their eggs. When orchards are but little distance apart 

 the moths fly from one to another. The system of returning empty 

 boxes in which apples have been sent to market has, in many localities, 

 hastened the local distribution. 



FRUITS INFESTED. 



The apple is the natural food of this insect and sustains almost all 

 the loss occasioned by it. In most localities the Winesap and Lawver 

 apples are usually less attacked than other varieties, while the Pewau- 

 kee and Ortley varieties are usually badly attacked. The resistance of 



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