547 



Introduction and Distribution. 



The codlin moth is as widely distributed as the apple itself. It 

 is a native of Europe, where, owing to the fact that it is there kept 

 in check by climatic conditions, or by natural enemies, it is not so 

 mischievous as it has proved to be either in America or in Australia. 

 It was introduced into the United States, from Europe, soon after 

 the first settlements were founded. In 1874, or a little over a 

 hundred years ago, it appeared in California, and is supposed to 

 have been brought in old fruit boxes. It appears to have been 

 introduced into Australia from California, and was first recorded 

 from Tasmania forty years ago, in 1861. During that time it has 

 ruined many a fruit grower, and now levies a most galling tax on 

 most apple growers in the Eastern States of Australia, as well as 

 New Zealand and Tasmania. 



This pest does not attack apples exclusively, but it is also 

 found, although not so commonly, in pears and quinces. When 

 driven to it, the moth also turns its attention to hard-flesh plums, 

 peaches and apricots. It has been seen (but very rarely) on the 

 cherry and walnut. Although reported in the tomato, the grubs 

 have in every instance proved to be the well-known pests of that 

 fruit, the Heliothis armigera, or Mamestra composite,, whose grubs 

 are much larger than that of the codlin moth. 



In Bulletin 142, Cornell University Experiment Station, on 

 the Codlin Moth, 1898, by M. V. Slingerland, the following estima- 

 tion of the amount of damage done by the moth occurs : " Con- 

 servative estimates put the annual loss from its ravages, in all 

 countries where it is noticeably destructive and but little is done 

 to check it, at from 25 to 75 per cent, of the crop of apples. 

 Where modern methods of combating the insect are practised this 

 percentage is often reduced one-half or more." 



The same author estimates that the loss due to the codlin 

 moth was : 



1887 State of Illinois, 2,375,000 dollars (475,000), or one-half 

 the value of the average apple crop. 



1892 Nebraska lost 2,000,000 dollars of apples (400,000). 

 1198 New York County, 3,000,000 dollars (600,000). 



Lea, in 1900, estimated the loss annually caused in Tasmania 

 by the codlin moth at 30,000, "this, however, is probably far 

 below the mark." 



"A loss in an orchard of 50 per cent, is by no means 

 uncommon, and I have myself (says Mr. Lea) seen an orchard near 

 Launceston every apple in which was struck, and many of which 

 contained two, three, or four grubs. From an orchard near Hobart 

 as many as 11,000 infested apples have been picked to the acre." 

 At five apples per pound this would give 2,2001bs., and at 401bs. 

 of apples to the case, 55 cases of grubby apples per acre. 



Western Australia, as already stated, is not yet known to be 

 infested with the codlin moth ; and this is entirely due to its com- 



