APPLE INSECTS OF MAINE. 125 



THE APPLE LEAF BUCCULATRix. BucculatHx PomifoUella, 

 Clemmens. 



This moth was described by Clemmens in i860. It is known 

 to be widely distributed, having been reported from Texas, Mis- 

 souri, Massachusetts, New York, and now from several locali- 

 ties in Maine. It has done considerable damage to the foliage 

 of apple trees especially in New York. 



Description. 



Eggs. — So far as we know, the eggs of this species have never been 

 described. They must be quite small as the cocoons of this diminutive 

 moth have been mistaken for insect eggs. They are said to be laid upon 

 the leaves. 



Larva. — About one-half inch long when mature, cylindrical, tapering 

 at both ends. Joints of the body rounded and prominent, color dark 

 yellowish, with a greenish tinge and reddish shades on the anterior seg- 

 ments. Body armed with short black hairs which are more numerous 

 on the back of the first segment. Head small, brown and ellipsoidal. 

 The larvae are active and when disturbed suspend themselves by a silken 

 thread. 



Cocoons. — Dirty white, slender, about one-fourth inch long, ribbed 

 longitudinally by about six prominent ridges, oblong, tapering at both 

 ends, flattened on the side to which it is attached. Usually fastened to 

 the twigs and branches in groups. 



Chrysalis. — Dark brown, rough, punctured on the back, about one- 

 tenth of an inch long. When ready to transform, the chrysalis works 

 itself partly out of the cocoon and the moth comes forth. 



Perfect Insect. — A small moth that has only about one-fourth inch 

 expanse of wings. Fore wings whitish, tinged with pale yellow and 

 dusty brown. On the middle of the inner margin is a conspicuous oval 

 brown spot ; a wide streak of the same color on the opposite margin 

 extending nearly to the end of the wing, where it tapers and points to 

 a small circular brown spot near the tip. 



Life History. 

 This insect spends the winter in the pupa state in the cocoon, 

 usually attached to the twigs and branches of the host plant. 

 There is reason to believe that the larvae, when full grown, some- 

 times desert the host plant and form their cocoons on other 

 plants close by. We have seen cocoons on the side of a build- 

 ing in Maine. About the time the leaves unfold, the moths come 

 forth and lay their eggs upon the tender foliage. The larvae are 

 full grown in July. The specimens sent us in July were in the 



