NOTES ON INSECTS. IIO, 



The Currant Span Worm is very abundant about Orono. 

 Our attention was called to currant and gooseberry bushes 

 almost barren of foliage from the attacks of this insect. It is 

 very different from the Currant Sawfly worm, which is so com- 

 mon in Maine. It is the larva of a geometrid moth, and has 

 the habit common to inch worms of arching the back when crawl- 

 ing. When full grown it is about an inch long, whitish in 

 color, with a yellow stripe down each side and another along 

 the back. The segments are spotted with black. There is but 

 one brood in a season. The larvae have the habit of suspending 

 themselves with a silken thread when disturbed. Fig. 4 shows 

 the larvae, pupa. The moth is shown in Fig. 2. Hellebore will 

 not destroy this insect. Paris green would be effective, but the 

 worms are worst when the fruit is nearly grown. Possibly a 

 strong wash of whale oil soap and water applied in the winter 

 might destroy the eggs which are deposited on the twigs and 

 branches. 



The Gooseberry Fruit Worm seems to be on the increase. 

 It is common on the wild gooseberries in Maine and may spread 

 from this source. This worm is the larva of a small moth 

 which is shown in Fig. 3 b. The cocoon is shown in Fig. 3 

 a. The larva, Fig. 3 c. The moth deposits its eggs upon the 

 young berries and the worms gnaw into the fruit. As they 

 grow, several berries are enclosed in a web, and the worms live 

 on them. Infested berries ripen prematurely. When dis- 

 turbed, the worms let themselves down quickly by a thread, 

 which makes it difficult to destroy them by hand picking. Rub- 

 bish should be removed from under the bushes where the insect 

 hibernates. 



The Lime Tree Winter Moth was reported this season in 

 injurious numbers. It seems to remain where the Fall Canker 

 Worm has about disappeared. It was considered and figured 

 in the Report of this Station, 1893, page 161. 



The Army Worm made its appearance in limited numbers 

 at Corinth. Mr. W. E. Jordan, who sent us specimens, reported 

 it as feeding on oats. 



The Ash-gray Pinion was reported again this season as 

 eating into apples. This species is figured in the Report of this 



