-2* 



for many years, it was not until 1906, that the late Dr» IJ. E. Britton, while 

 State Entomologist of Connecticut, showed that the insect attacking blue- 

 berries ia the same species as the "railroad worm" in apples. During more 

 recent years a number of careful studies have been made of both the apple 

 maggot and the blueberry maggot. A, D. Pickett and M. E. Neary, working in 

 Nova Scotia, have shovm very clearly some of the relationships between the 

 two pests. 



The apple maggot attacks apple* and thorn apples (Crataegus spp.). 

 The blueberry maggot attacks blueberries, huckleberries^ snowberries, June 

 berries, and a number of other berries. The apple maggot is larger than the 

 blueberry maggot in every stage (egg, maggot, pupa, and fly), but', except 

 for size, the two pests are as nearly alike as identical twins. The inter- 

 esting observation is that the apple maggot can be forced to attack blue- 

 \jerries, and the blueberry maggot can be forced to attack apples. Apparently 

 in nature, however, the apple maggot does not attack blueberries, and the 

 blueberry maggot does not attack apples. In experiments conducted in Wash- 

 ington Coimty, Maine, very young maggots were transferred from blueberries 

 to apples, and others were transferred from apples to Talueberries. After 

 the transfer to apples, n^ormal, small-sized blueberry flies were produced, 

 just as when the maggots fed upon blueberries. In the blueberries, the 

 apple maggots developed to their normal, large size, but a single blueberry 

 did not furnish sufficient food for an apple maggot. An additional blue- 

 Ijerry was provided to enable the apple maggot to complete its development. 



Does this show a stage in the evolution of two separate species? 

 Vfho knows? Perhaps some entomologist in the future can answer the question. 

 (F. H. Lathrop, Maine Agr^l, Exp. Sta.) 



£[EEN tS THE FIELD 



Gangplank for Bees . For transferring a swarm of bees to a new hive 

 Prank Foskett of Orange is using a sort of glorified gangplank consisting 

 of a box, somewhat smaller than an apple box, with large holes bored in all 

 sides, attached to the end of a long pole. V/hen this device is placed along- 

 side of a sWarm of bees on a branch, they more or less promptly go aboard 

 euid the o«mer carries them (at a safe distance) to their new home* This 

 contraption may not be new although it is the first time the writer has 

 seen it. Mr. Foskett rates recognition in the Gadget Department. 



Duster on a Skid . For his ingenuity in solving a thorny problem^ 

 the CaoWs Corsage goes this month to Roger Peck of Shelburne. In the midst 

 of a dusting operation a few weeks ago, a broken axle on a trailer supporting 

 the duster gave way, and put one wheel out of commission. Instead of going 

 fishing that day, Roger corralled a nearby fence post which he attached 

 firmly as a Skid on tie disabled side, and in a few minutes the dusting op- 

 fration proceeded without further interruption. When it's dusting time in 

 the Peck orchard a little thing like a lost wheel or two cannot be allowed 

 to interfere. 



