SOME INSECTS INJURIOUS TO ORCHARD FRUITS 557 



month to six weeks, and then find secluded places under the bark 

 or in a hollow of the tree, in the rubbish at its base, or in a fence 

 corner, or sometimes just under the surface soil, and there spin 

 flimsy silken cocoons with which they mingle their own hairs. 

 They then transform to small brown pupae about one-half inch 

 long, in which stage the winter is passed. In the Middle States 

 and further south there are two generations, the moths appearing 

 in April and May and laying eggs in late May and early June, the 

 caterpillars from which become full grown by mid-July. The 

 second generation of caterpillars appear in late August and Sep- 

 tember at about the same season as further north, and their 

 pupie hibernate. 



Were it not for their parasitic enemies these caterpillars would 

 be much more of a pest, and it is when the parasites become scarce 

 that injury results. One of their most common and effective ene- 

 mies is a little Braconid fly,* whose small brown cocoon (Fig. 

 406) is often found suspended from a twig or leaf. Many 

 caterpillars are also killed by various predaceous bugs, and fre- 

 quently they are killed off by fungous disease. 



The fall webworm is a common pest of all orchard trees, and 

 frequently extends its injuries to shade trees. The larvae are not 

 uncommon on cabbage, beets and a long list of garden crops. 

 According to Dr. H. G. Dyar this species is confined to the South 

 Atlantic Slates, but it has been confused with another species 

 (Hyphantria textor Harris) by practically everyone, and it is still 

 a question as to whether the two species are really distinct and 

 if so how they are to be distinguished. If the latter form be a 

 distinct species, it occurs throughout the United States and has 

 the same habits. 



Control. The insect is readily controlled by spraying with any 

 of the arsenicals w r hen the work of the young larvae is first noticed. 

 Where orchards are sprayed for the codling moth there will be 

 little trouble with the first generation, and fruit-growers will do 

 well to make it a practice to spray in August where they are 

 troubled with this and other leaf-eating caterpillars. 

 * Meteorus hyphantriae Riley. 



