572 



CALIFORNIA FRUITS: HOW TO GROW THEM 



is laid all over the fruit, and especially at a point where two fruits 

 touch. Usually we have in this State two broods, at least, but some- 

 times three, and, naturally, if unchecked, the increase from the first 

 to the last is enormous. The worms escaping from the fruit in the 



The Codlin moth natural size and greatly enlarged. 



fall hibernate as larvae under the loose bark of the tree, or in store- 

 houses, or in any available dry place. 



On the basis of long experience in the Watsonville district Mr. 

 W. H. Volck, county entomologist, gives the following outline of 

 operations against the apple worm : 



There are two broods in a season. The first develops from worms that 

 have wintered over in protected places both above and in the ground. The 

 moths of the first generation begin emerging in April, but very few eggs are 

 laid before the middle of May. In this locality egg-laying is then continuous 

 until the last of June. 



The full-grown worms of the first generation after emerging from the apples 

 seek some hiding place where they may rest for a few days, transforming into 

 pupa and then into full-grown moths. 



The moths of the second generation begin laying eggs early in August 

 and may continue to do so as late as October or November. It is the worms 

 of the second generation that do the greatest amount of damage. 



The codling moth lays its eggs on the surface of the leaves and fruit. The 

 eggs are about the size of a small pin-head, circular and flat. The color varies 

 from white to pink and red. These eggs are easily seen when the observer 

 knows what to look for. 



The young worms hatch from the eggs about ten days after laying, and 

 then begin crawling about in search of fruit to burrow into. This short period 

 between the hatching of the egg and the entrance into the apple is the only 

 time that spraying operations can prove effective. It is clearly impossible to 

 accomplish anything by the use of sprays that will only kill by contact, for 

 such sprays would have to be applied nearly every day. The spraying opera- 

 tion must then leave a deposit of some substance on the fruit that will kill 

 the worms when they attempt to burrow through the rind. The only substance 

 now known that answers these requirements are the compounds of arsenic. 



