18 
as awash; covering the affected parts with clay reduced to the con- 
sistency of paint, with the addition of oil and sulphur, &c. At pre- 
sent, however, I have not seen any preparation equal in value to the 
simple mixture of castor-oil and soot. 
GREEN APHIS (Aphis mali). 
A green aphis, which is occasionally met with on apple-trees, ig 
for the present identified with this species. 
I have not met with any instance in which its presence has been 
attended with serious results, although tie leaves of infested trees are 
more or less curled backwards so as to afford shelter to the insect. 
The green aphis may be readily destroyed by syringing with soap. 
suds, or even with water, if ejected with sufficient force. — 
Strong tobacco-water is an excellent wash for trees infested by 
aphides. It is made by pouring a gallon of boiling water over four 
ounces of tobacco and allowing it to stand for a few hours. A little 
soft-soap dissolved in the infusion would be beneficial. — oat 
Tobacco of sufficiently good quality to serve as an insecticide may 
be grown in any part of New Zealand. : 
In Europe and America several successive seasons may elapse 
without any great amount of injury being effected by Aphis mali, but 
in other seasons the insect becomes diffused with such rapidity that the 
leaves and crop are destroyed. 
CODLIN-MOTH (Carpocapsa pomonella). 
This pest is increasing in many parts of the colony, but at present 
is not generally distributed. It is most destructive in the provincial 
districts of Canterbury, Marlborough, and Nelson, but is not confined 
to them; it is known in Westland, Wellington, and in several parts 
of the Auckland District. It was observed in the Auckland District 
about twelve years ago, and in Nelson about eight. Instances of its 
importation from Tasmania and California in affected fruit are 
occasivnally reported, and in all probability have been of not un- 
frequent occurrence. 
The moth is about three-quarters of an inch across when its wings 
are fully expanded, but the individuals vary in size to a considerable 
extent; the wings are grey, with dark transverse lines and black 
markings. , 
The eggs are deposited singly on the apex of the ovary when the 
aryl is in flower, or on the crown of the young fruit at a later season; 
the caterpillar is hatched in a few days and eats its way to the central 
portion of the ovary, and at first does not attack the covering which 
immediately protects the young seed; it extends its burrow until it 
perforates the epidermis of the fruit, so that a somewhat tortuous 
gallery is formed, admitting air freely and facilitating the discharge of 
excreta. The caterpillar now returns to the core of the apple, pierces 
the cartilaginous covering and gains access to the seeds (pips), upon 
which it feeds until the apple falls, when it emerges from the fruit and 
ascends the trunk of the tree, taking shelter in a crevice of the bark, 
