BIKD ENEMIES OF THE CODLING MOTH. 241 



THE CROW FAMILY. 



The blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata), the California jay (Aphelocoma 

 calif ornica) , and the magpie (Pica pica hudsonia) give the crow 

 family representation among codling-moth enemies. It is reported 

 that in the State of Washington magpies frequently tear loosely fas- 

 tened bands off the trees while searching for the hibernating larvae. 1 

 Pupa? of the codling moth have been found in several stomachs of the 

 California jay, collected at Haywards, Cal., in May. 



BLACKBIRDS AND ORIOLES. 



Three species of this family are on the list of foes of the apple 

 worm, namely, the crow blackbird (Quiscalus quiscula), Brewer 

 blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus}, and Bullock oriole (Icterus 

 bullocki) . Pupae were found in the stomachs of many Brewer black- 

 birds collected at Haywards and Watsonville, Cal., in May and June. 

 Twenty-six Bullock orioles taken in the same localities from April to 

 August had eaten enough pupae and larvae of the codling moth to 

 make about 20 per cent of their food. One of these birds had taken 

 14 larvae and pupa3. 



THE SPARROW FAMILY. 



Members of this family that prey upon the codling moth are : Eng- 

 lish sparrow (Passer domesticus], chipping sparrow (Spizella pas- 

 serina), California towhee (Pipilo crissalis), cardinal (Cardinalis 

 cardinalis], black-headed grosbeak (Zamelodia melanocephala} , and 

 lazuli bunting- (Passerina cyanea). The adult California towhees, 

 besides eating the pupae of the codling moth themselves, feed them 

 to their nestlings. Black-headed grosbeaks have the same habit and 

 to such an extent that they rank among the most important enemies 

 of the insect. No fewer than 12 larvae were found in one stomach 

 and 29 pupae in another. Twenty-one black-headed grosbeaks col- 

 lected at Haywards and Watson ville, Cal., in May, had made over 

 20 per cent of their diet of codling larvae and pupae. 



SWALLOWS AND VIREOS. 



On the Pacific coast the barn swallow (Hirundo erythrogastra) is 

 said to catch adult codling moths, but probably its services in this 

 direction have been overstated. 



The stomachs of several western warbling vireos (Vireosylva gilva 

 swainsoni), taken in California in April, May, and June, contained 

 pupae of the codling moth. 



1 Melander, A. L., and Jenne, E. L. Bui. 77, Wash. Agr. Exp. Sta., p. 39, 1906. 



