90 APPLE GROWING IN CALIFORNIA. 



species winters over in the pupal stage in the soil while the fall species 

 spends the winter on the trees in the egg stage. The fact that the 

 female moths are wingless and can not fly into the trees makes it pos- 

 sible to control this pest perfectly by means of a band of some sticky 

 preparation applied to the trunks. Arsenate of lead as used for the 

 codling moth is of some value in controlling it. Black Leaf "40" at 

 the strength of 1 part to 1000 parts of water has also been successfully 

 used for both the spring and fall species. 



The Red-Humped Caterpillar. 



( Schizura concinna. ) 



The f oilage of the apple is frequently attacked by communistic cater- 

 pillars, with red heads and large red humps on the first segment of the 

 abdomen. Many prominent black spines along with this peculiar hump 

 render the species very conspicuous. The adult is a brownish moth, 

 which lays its eggs on the leaves. The winter is spent in the pupal 

 stage in the ground. 



Control measures consist of picking the caterpillars from the trees 

 and spraying with arsenate of lead. 



Climbing Cutworms. 



Quite frequently in the early spring, buds of young apple trees are 

 hollowed out by some species of climbing cutworm, of which there are 

 several. This trouble is usually worse on sandy soil than on any other 

 kind. Damage from this pest may be eliminated by means of cotton 

 batting bands tied about the trees, over which the worms are unable 

 to crawl. The method of using a cotton batting band is as follows: 

 Take a band of the batting about three inches wide, and of sufficient 

 length to go around the tree. After placing about the trunk, tie it 

 near the bottom with a piece of twine, pulling the top portion down- 

 ward, thus forming a collar which the worms do not penetrate. During 

 the day time they may often be found in the soil near the crowns of 

 the trees. 



Flat- Headed Apple-Tree Borer. 



(Chrysobothris femorata.) 



Sun scalded or otherwise injured trees are liable to attack from this 

 borer. The adult is a flat metallic colored beetle, which lays its eggs 

 on the trees. Upon hatching from these eggs the footless larvae, with 

 body widened in front and tapering to the posterior extremity, feed 

 in the sapwood, often completely girdling a tree. Quite frequently 

 burrowing into the heartwood takes place. 



There is no practical means of control. Preventive measures con- 

 sist entirely of keeping trees in a thrifty growing condition. 



The Brown Mite. 



(Bryobia pratensis.) 



While there are other mites that occasionally feed on apple foliage, 

 this species is the one most commonly found. The little red eggs are 

 deposited in the crotches and frequently about the buds of trees during 

 the fall or late summer season. These remain unhatched throughout 

 the winter. In the early spring, as the foliage begins to come out, the 

 eggs hatch and the little mites, which are red at first, begin feeding 



