CODLING MOTH IN CENTRAL APPALACHIAN EEGION. 49 



There seems, however, to bo no constant rate of difference between 

 the earlier and later localities. This seems to be largely due to the 

 responsiveness of the species during its metamorphic changes to 

 local and transient weather conditions. 



During the time of the investigation the first-brood larvae began 

 entering the fruit at Charlottesville from April 28 to May 15, and 

 second-brood larvae from June 25 to July 1. At Pickens first-brood 

 larvae began entering the fruit from June 20 to July 1, and second- 

 brood larvae about August 10. Between these two localities there 

 is a greater difference in the time of the regular periodical changes 

 of the insect that occur late in the season than of those that occur 

 early in the season. This is probably due to the cumulative retard- 

 ing effect of the more frequent unfavorable weather conditions at 

 the higher point. 



For any given locality the variation in the time of appearance of 

 spring broods in different years is greater than that of correspond- 

 ing summer and fall broods of the same years. 



Records of the numbers of larvae collected from trees on which 

 bands were placed around the trunks and also around the bases of 

 the larger branches indicate that 41.49 per cent drop to the ground 

 and then ascend the trunk to pupate and 58.51 per cent crawl down 

 the branches from the infested fruit to pupate. 



Where a collection of larvae is confined in one jar there is apt to be 

 a considerable loss due to cannibalism. It is probable that the weaker 

 larvae are sometimes devoured by their fellows under normal con- 

 ditions. 



Two specimens of ants (Solenopsis molesta Say and Lasius niger 

 L. var. americana Emery) were found in several localities devouring 

 codling-moth larvae. Larvae and adults of the beetle Tenebroides 

 corticalis Melsh. were found frequently feeding on codling-moth 

 larvae and pupae. Six species of hymenopterous and one of dip- 

 terous parasites were reared in the jars. Of these the most de- 

 structive to the codling moth were Ascogaster carpocapsse Vier. and 

 Itoplcctis marginatus Prov. Hairworm parasites (Mermis sp.) were 

 abundant in one locality and very materially reduced the number 

 of wintering larvae in the year 1911. 



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