CHAPTER XII 



INSECTS OF THE GARDEN 



Success in gardening is quite as likely to depend on 

 knowing something about insects as about the plants 

 themselves ; and further, the child's interest in the animal 

 discussed in the chapters to follow will depend largely on 

 his knowledge of what the insects are doing in his garden. 



I shall endeavor to choose a list of garden insects that 

 will include some of the most important, simply as illus- 

 trating methods of study ; but the only rule for a teacher to 

 follow is to take up those insects that possess the greatest 

 interest and importance for the locality and season. And 

 here, as with the programme for flower study, some special 

 committee of teachers may well prepare the local lists. 



The Codling Moth, or Apple Worm, Carpocapsa pomonella. — 

 This is possibly the most important and to children, when 

 they begin its study, one of the most interesting of gar- 

 den insects. The larva of this moth lives in apples, crab 

 apples, pears, and quinces and sometimes attacks peaches, 

 plums, apricots, and cherries. The damage it causes 

 annually has been estimated for three states as follows : 

 Illinois, ;^2, 375,000; Nebraska, ;^2,ooo,ooo ; and New York, 

 ;^3, 000,000. It was early imported from Europe and is 

 now at home wherever fruit is cultivated in this country 

 and Canada, causing a loss of from 25 to 75 per cent of 

 the apple crop, as well as that of many other fruits. In 



