1O4 INSECTS INJURIOUS TO FRUIT. 



In a very careful examination of large collections of pears and apples sent 

 from France to the exhibitions of the American Institute, I have found the marks 

 of the Apple Moth in some, but in no instance have I seen the crescent mark of 

 the Curculio. 



As the result of experience, founded upon close observations for a number of 

 years, and extended through large sections of several states during the summer and 

 fall of 1864, I have come to the conclusion that this Apple Worm, as it is generally 

 called, is as destructive to apples, pears, and quinces as the Curculio, but not so to 

 the stone fruits. When we shall have subdued the latter we shall have cherries, 

 plums, peaches, apricots, and nectarines, without much further trouble from insect 

 enemies ; but we must control both the Curculio and Apple Moth before we can 

 secure the apples, pears, and quinces. 



Although the Apple Moth is an imported insect, it seems to have become as 

 widely extended as the native Curculio. When we see a butterfly fluttering about 

 our fields or gardens, and know that it lives a very few days, we would think that any 

 one species, starting from a given point, would be very slow in spreading over a 

 continent What is Jhc rate of speed of a butterfly, or the length of time it can 

 continue its flight, I have never seen estimated. Most kinds are visible for a moment, 

 and then out of sight. Probably no calculation has ever been made that would 

 approximate the truth. Kirby speaks of the male of one of the Silk Moths (Attacus 

 papkia), as supposed to be capable of a flight of one hundred miles. A dragon-fly 

 will hover for hours on the wing over a pond of water, passing rapidly to and fro in 

 pursuit of insects. One species of this tribe has been known to alight on ships 500 

 miles from the nearest shore. But insects of this order greatly excel the butterflies in 

 wing power ; they have the speed of the fleetest birds, and more than their quickness 

 in turning. If we know little of the travelling power of the butterfly whose flight is 

 by daylight, how much more difficult will it be to observe the flight of moths, which 

 only takes place at night 



The caterpillars of both butterflies and moths are nearly all vegetable feeders. 

 Many species feed on one kind of plants, as the. silk-worm on the mulberry; some 

 on two or three, as the tent caterpillar, which will grow to maturity on the apple 

 and wild cherry, but will starve on the pear. Other caterpillars will feed indiscrimi- 

 nately on the leaves of many trees or plants, provided these leaves come early enough. 



