214 



INJURIOUS INSECTS AND FUNGI. 



[Dec. 1894. 



The CoDLiN Moth 

 ( Carpocapsa j^omonella). 



1. Larva; 2. Pupa; 3. Moth; all natural size. 4. Infested apple. 



In some seasons almost incalculable harm is caused to the 

 apple crop by the larva of the Codlin Moth. Early and late 

 apples appear to suffer equally, and no variety escapes this 

 attack. The moth is indigenous to Europe, but it has been 

 gradually introduced, no doubt in infested fruit, into all apple- 

 growing countries. It has been known in the United States and 

 Canada since the beginniDg of the present century, according to 

 Professor Riley, and does infinite mischief in some seasons. It 

 has only been noticed in Australia in comparatively recent 

 years. 



Mr. Frazer Crawford says it was not known in South Australia 

 before 1885, but it had ravaged many orchards in Victoria for 

 some years previously. In New Zealand it was first noticed in 

 1874, and the Tasmanian apple -growers were visited by it first 

 about 33 years ago, and it is now found by them to be such 

 an unmitigated pest, and so damaging to their beautiful fruit, 

 that the Legislature has passed an " Act to make better provision 

 for the destruction of the Codlin Moth." 



This very pretty moth is small, only measuring about three- 

 fourths of an inch across the upper wings, which are of a brown 

 colour slightly streaked with grey, and becoming darker brown 

 near the hinder corner, upon which there are streaks of deep 

 gold colour, extremely brilliant in sunshine. The hinder wings 

 and abdomen are brown and lustrous. 



The moth appears in the spring at the time that the apples 

 are setting, and, when they have set, it places a yellowish egg in 

 the calyx end of the fruit, fastening it there with a glutinous 



