CRANBERRY INSECTS IN MASSACHUSETTS 



(Revision of Bulletin 239, 1928) 



By Henry J. Franklin 

 Research Professor in Charge of the Cranberry Station at East Wareham 



Two general bulletins on cranberry insects have been published by the United 

 States Department of Agriculture. i Both were based on work done mainly in 

 New Jersey. Cranberry insect problems in Massachusetts vary widely from those 

 in New Jersey, for several of our important pests are nearly or quite unknown in 

 that State and a difference in methods of culture and in climate affects the situa- 

 tion a good deal. 



The possible value of a paper of this kind may be judged if it is recalled that 

 there are about fifteen thousand acres under cranberry cultivation in Massachu' 

 setts,2 that this fruit is the leading export crop of the State with a gross annual 

 value of from four to sixteen million dollars,^ and that insects destroy fully a fifth 

 of the crop yearly. 



Every effort has been made to arrange this paper so clearly and simply that 

 cranberry growers may find it not only informing but thoroughly usable. It is 

 amply illustrated, and the color plates and tables for the identification of the 

 various species should be particularly helpful. It is divided into seven parts, 

 as follows: 



Part I. — Worms or wormli}{e forms attaching the foliage, buds, 

 flowers, or fruit. 



Part II. — Forms not wormU\e attac\ing the foUage or fruit. 



Part III. — Insects attac\ing the stem. 



Part IV. — Insects attac\ing the roots. 

 These four parts describe the various pests, their life histories, and the injuries 

 they do, and give the controls found most effective. 



Part V. — Insects and other animals beneficial to cranbciry 

 growing. 

 Cranberry flower pollination is treated here, and the predatory enemies and 

 insect parasites of cranberry pests are discussed. 



Part VI. — Insecticides and paraphernalia used in fighting cran' 

 berry pests. 

 Spraying and dusting apparatus, the insect net, and insecticides are discussed 

 here. 



Part VII. — Relation of uplands to bog insect conditions. 

 Both harmful and beneficial insects are considered here. 

 This bulletin presents ofJy Part I. 



Acknozvlcdgments : The writer acknowledges his many obligations to all who have 

 helped him in the studies, the results of which are assembled here; especially to the cranberry 

 growers, who everywhere have given him the freedom of their bog properties and every 

 encouragement. Thanks are due the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers' Association for the 

 kodachromes from which the colored plates for this bulletin were made, and for other 

 services rendered. 



1 U. S. Dept. Agr. Farmers' Bui. 178, by J. B. Smith (1903); and U. S. Dept. Agr. 

 Farmers' Bui. 860, by H. B. Scammell (1917). 



2 Mainly in Plymouth, Barnstable, and Bristol counties, but also in five others. 



* This is greater in some years than the value of the commercial apple crop of all 

 New England. 



£4] 



