REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST I909 2/ 



The wide dissemination of this insect is undoubtedly accom- 

 plished by the shipment of infested fruit, or by means of infested 

 boxes and barrels. This latter is easy, since the apple worms 

 spend the winter in well protected cocoons. 



The experience of the last 40 years has abundantly demon- 

 strated the practicability of control measures. The problem before 

 us at the present time is to determine the most economical method 

 of accomplishing this desirable result. A knowledge of the insect 

 and its habits is a necessary preliminary to success. 



Life history and habits 



Summary of habits. It is well known that the apple worm 

 winters in a tough, silken cocoon, frequently found under the 

 rough bark of trees. With the advent of warm weather in the 

 spring, which in New York means late April and early May, the 

 caterpillars begin to transform to pupae, and a week or 10 days 

 after the blossoms drop, the moths commence to emerge and 

 continue to appear throughout the greater part of June. The 

 minute, whitish eggs, as determined by recent investigations, 

 are deposited largely upon the leaves, though a number may be 

 found on the young fruit. These hatch in about a week and, 

 as a consequence, the young worms of the first brood may be 

 entering the small apples from early in June to nearly the end 

 of the month or even later. The caterpillars require about four 

 weeks to complete their growth, at which time they desert the 

 fruit, wander to a sheltered place, spin a cocoon, transform to 

 pupae, and in about two weeks, namely, the last of July or in 

 early August, another brood of moths appear. These in turn 

 deposit eggs which hatch in due time and the young larvae enter 

 the fruit. A larger proportion of this brood enter at the side 

 of the apple than is the case with the first generation of larvae. 

 Two broods appear to be the rule in the northern fruit-growing 

 sections of the United States at least, though some investigators 

 claim a third in the southwest, in particular. 



It is important for the fruit grower, if he would obtain the 

 best results in his efforts to control this pest, to know more than 

 the bare outline given above. We will therefore proceed to dis- 

 cuss certain phases of the life history of the insect in some detail. 



Food habits. This insect is best known as an apple pest, though 

 its occurrence in pears is by no means uncommon. Some crab 

 apples at least, and quinces are very subject to injury. It is also 

 known to infest peaches, plums, prunes, apricots and cherries. 



