THE PECAN LEAE CASE-BEAEER, 5 
to its attacks was noticed. Such varieties as the Frotscher, Van 
Deman, Nelson, Pabst, Schley, Delmas, Stuart, and Success were 
badly infested, while the Mobile, Georgia, Havens, Teche, Waukeenah, 
Moore, Moneymaker, and Curtis were slightly infested. No reason 
can be given for this apparent varietal resistance, but it may be 
stated in general terms that pecan trees with very small leaves seem 
less likely to be heavily infested by this insect. Unfortunately, many 
of the best commercial varieties of pecan are subject to attacks by 
this pest. 
CHARACTER OF INJURY. 
The most serious damage to pecan occurs during the early spring. 
The larvae feed voraciously upon the unfolding buds and leaves, as 
is shown in Plate III, figure. 1. Just as the buds are bursting, the 
little overwintering u worms " gnaw their way out of their hibernacula 
(winter cases), which invariably are to be found snugly packed around 
the buds. Usually they migrate immediately to the tips of the 
swelling buds, upon which they partake greedily of their first meal. 
Upon leaving hibernation quarters some larvae have been observed 
eating directly through the side of the buds, instead of entering at 
the tip as is usually the case. As these larvae begin to work very 
early in the spring it takes but little feeding to inflict serious injury. 
On badly infested trees it is not uncommon to see from three to five 
larvae, and sometimes more, entering a single bud. Under these 
conditions there is little chance for even partial development of the 
foliage. As the larvae when in sufficient numbers are capable of 
eating the green foliage as rapidly as it appears, it is not unusual for 
the trees to remain defoliated for a considerable length of time. The 
writer has seen pecan trees kept in this condition for several weeks 
solely because of the attacks of this pest. On such trees the buds 
turn brown as a result of the feeding of the larvae, and a block of 
badly infested trees takes on the appearance of blight by fire. (PI. 
II, fig. 2.) When the infestation is less severe the larvae web and 
tie the tender leaves together into masses, which soon become 
unsightly due to the wilting of the leaves and the presence of particles 
of excrement and larval cases with which they are united. (PL III, 
figs. 3, 4.) Late in the spring, when about half grown, the larvae 
attach their cases to the leaf petioles, draw the leaflets together, and 
feed freely. (PI. II, fig. 3.) 
After having kept the trees in a defoliated condition for some time 
and, therefore, when pressed for food, these insects occasionally 
attack both blossom and leaf buds by burrowing directly into the 
ends. When thus deprived of their f oliage the trees are fairly certain 
to become so devitalized as to be unable to make proper growth 
during the remainder of the season or to form fruit buds for the 
following season. Indirectly the trees suffer by becoming much 
