INSECTS INJURIOUS TO ORCHARD FRUITS 509 



Control. Frequent cultivation while the pupae are in the soil 

 in midsummer will throw them to the surface and crush many of 

 them, and has been found to aid materially in the control of the 

 pest. As the larv often develop in the fallen fruit, it is well 

 to gather it every few days and destroy it before the larvae have 

 left it to pupate, which will also aid in the control of other fruit 

 pests. The beetles have a habit of "sulling," " playing possum," 

 or feigning death, when suddenly disturbed, and will drop to the 

 ground if a limb is jarred. This has given rise to the common 

 practice of jarring peach, plum, and cherry trees and collecting 

 the beetles on frames beneath them. This may be done with 

 simple frames covered with canvas, a frame being placed on either 

 side the tree and a flap extending from one over the edge of the 

 other, from which the beetles are picked up, or a regular curculio- 

 catcher such as has been commonly used in New York may be 

 more convenient. This is used as shown in Fig. 438, the frame 

 being covered with oil-cloth and slanting to a can containing kero- 

 sene for the destruction of the beetles which slide into it. The 

 jarring should be done in the morning, as the beetles do not drop 

 as readily in midday. 



The jarring method of curculio control has, at the best., merely 

 a historical interest now as it is impractical in commercial orchards 

 and of doubtful value elsewhere. 



Modern methods for curculio control are based on the feeding 

 habits of the adults. Since these feed on the young foliage 

 in the spring before and during the egg-laying period they may 

 there be poisoned. Arsenate of lead is the material most largely 

 used, the applications on apple as recommended for the codling 

 moth giving fair control. If curculio injury is more serious, there 

 should be a spray applied to the apples before the blossoms 

 open. This is known as the "cluster-bud" spray and is often 

 necessary for canker-worm control as well as advisable for certain 

 diseases. On peach, plum and cherry, the time of application 

 is varied to some extent, but if one bears in mind that it is well 

 to keep the foliage covered with poison from the time it appears 

 in the spring for a period of about six weeks and arranges the 



