APPLE INSECTS 307 



When the petals fall, the calyx is open, and this is the time to 

 spray. The calyx soon closes, and keeps the poison inside ready 

 for the young caterpillars' first meal. After the calyx lias closed, 

 it is too late to spray effectively. The caterpillars become full 

 grown in July and August, leave the fruit, crawl down on the 

 trunk, and there most of them spin cocoons under the loose bark. 

 In most parts of the countrj^ there are two broods annually. 



Treatment. — When the majority of the petals have fallen, spray 

 with 4 pounds arsenate of lead in 100 gallons of water, using a 

 stiff spray to force it into the blossom end of the apple. Repeat 

 the application three weeks later. For use of the poison with 

 bordeaux or lime-sulfur, see Apple Scab, p. 264. Paris green was 

 formerly used. 

 Fall Web-worm {Hyphantria cunea). — Hairy larva, about an 

 inch long, varying from gray to pale yellow or bluish black, feed- 

 ing upon the leaves of many trees, in tents or webs. 



Treatment. — Destroy by burning the webs, or removing them 

 and crushing the larvae. Spray with arsenicals. 

 Leaf Blister IMite (Eriophijes pyri). — The presence of this minute 

 mite is indicated by small irregular brownish blisters on the leaves. 



Treatment. — Spray in late fall or early spring with lime-sulfur, 

 or miscible oil. For dilution of commercial lime-sulfur, see p. 296. 

 Flat-headed Borer {Chrysobothris femorata). — Larva about an 

 inch long, flesh-colored, the second segment (" head ") greatly 

 enlarged ; boring under the bark and sometimes into the wood. 

 They are readily located in late summer or fall by the dead and 

 sunken patches of bark. 



Preventive. — Soap and carbolic acid washes applied from 

 May to July. Keep trees vigorous. 



Treatmeyit. —Dig out the borers in early summer and fall. En- 

 courage woodpeckers. 

 Pear Twig-beetle. — See under Pear, p. 326. 

 Plum-curculio {Conotrachelns nemiphar) . — Beetle ; deforms the 

 fruit by its characteristic feeding and egg-laying punctures. The 

 grubs develop in the fruit and cause it to fall. 



Treatment. — Sprsiying with arsenate of lead, as for codlin- 

 moth, whenever it can be applied with a fungicide so as not to 

 increase expense, will help to control the trouble. Thorough su- 



