480 Important Oechaed Pests and Spbat Foemdxae. 



the ground line indicate the presence of apple borers and gum 

 usually exudes when peaches are attacked. Young apple and 

 peach trees of all ages should be carefully looked over at least 

 once each year and, if evidence of this insect is found, the grubs 

 should be cut out from the tree, care being taken that the tree 

 is not completely girdled. 



Blister Mite. — During the summer the brown, corky, thick- 

 ened spots noted on the leaves of apple and pear trees indicate the 

 presence of the blister mite. Summer treatment is useless, as the 

 mites are between the upper and lower leaf surfaces. During the 

 dormant season, lime-sulphur, at a strength about i 3 weaker than 

 that recommended for the San Jose scale, controls the blister mite 

 very effectively. (See table on page 487.) 



drupe Boot Worm. — Although this insect is not injurious in 

 eastern !New York, in the western !STew York grape sections it has 

 done damage. The work may be recognized by the chain-like 

 holes eaten in the leaves by the beetles. Cultivation Avill kill 

 many of the pupae in the ground, and well enriched soil tends to 

 aid much in keeping vines from reaching a badly weakened con- 

 dition during such periods as the insect may be particularly 

 abundant. Few beetles can be killed by poisons. Mechanical de- 

 vices for catching beetles have met with some success*. 



Gipsy Moth (Portlictria dispar L.). — The gipsy moth is a 

 prominent European pest, at present unknown in America out- 

 side of some of the New England States. It was established at 

 Medford, Mass., through experiments with silk-producing moths, 

 made about 1869 by Professor Trouvelot. The damage caused 

 has been greater than is usual in Europe, other than in excep- 

 tional years when large forest areas are defoliated. In Europe 

 many natural enemies, with adverse climatic conditions, are the 

 repressive factors. 



Fortunately, the female insect does not fly, hence the natural 

 spread is extremely slow, being dependent on the crawling of the 

 caterpillars or on the wind. Artificial spread, duo to the transfer 

 of egg masses on nursery stock and of caterpillars on vehicli -. 

 has bronghl the inseel to New Fork State, but in all known cases 

 infestation has been prevented. It is possible to eradicate colon- 

 ies of the gipsy moth by the use of burlap trap bands, creosoting 



