REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST I909 33 



Banding 



In the use of bands we take advantage of the apple worms' 

 predilection to search out retreats, especially under fabrics on 

 the trunk of the tree and, as a consequence, a considerable pro- 

 portion may be captured in this way. It has been found by 

 careful experiments that a large percentage of the worms in- 

 festing apples may desert the fruit while on the tree, crawl down 

 the limbs and establish themselves in suitable retreats, rather 

 than drop from the trees, crawl to the base of the trunk and 

 ascend. There is no doubt as to the benefit resulting from 

 bands carefully tended throughout the season. Unfortunately 

 so much labor is involved that this method finds comparatively 

 slight favor in the Eastern States. 



Scraping the trunk 

 This is undoubtedly of service, since it reduces the number of 

 retreats where codling moth larvae can hibernate in safety. 

 There is a question as to the actual benefit to be derived, as 

 repeated examinations in the orchard have shown that a very 

 large percentage of the apple worms hibernating under the bark 

 are destroyed by birds and other natural agents. 



Screening fruit cellars 



More or less wormy fruit is carried into storehouses and fruit 

 cellars, and the larvae escape and hibernate in such places. It 

 is advisable, where fruit trees are in the vicinity, to prevent the 

 moths escaping in the spring, by closely screening windows and 

 doors. 



Spraying with poisons 



The experience of the last 30 years has abundantly demon- 

 strated the efficacy of poisoned sprays, provided the applications 

 are timely and thorough. . Many experiments conducted in the 

 varied fruit sections of this country show that it is possible by 

 this method alone, to obtain 90, 98 or even gg^ of worm-free 

 fruit, much depending upon the time when the work is done and 

 the thoroughness of the treatment. 



Materials. The poisons most generally employed against the 

 codling moth in New Yorlc State at least, are paris green, 

 arsenite of lime or arsenite of soda, and arsenate of lead, listing 

 the materials in the order in which they were brought to notice. 

 There is no question as to the value of paris green and its close 

 allies, particularly if used in connection with bordeaux mixture, 



