Journal of Agricultural Research 
Vol. II, No. 2 
162 
Stephens (1834) recorded Recurvaria nanella as “not very uncommon 
in gardens within the metropolitan district, frequenting the trunks of 
apple trees in June and the beginning of July.” 
Stainton (1854) recorded the larva as feeding in May on the pear, 
making a gallery across the flowers with pieces of the petals and stamens 
interwoven with silk. 
Rossler (1871-72) observed the tying together of the young leaves of 
fruit trees by larvae of Recurvaria nanella and its effect in hindering the 
development of the new leaves. The insect was present in such large 
numbers as to attract the attention of the public to the deformed trees 
and to arouse the fear that serious harm would result. In view of the 
fact that the larva was so small, ate so little, and did not attack the 
blossoms, Rossler considered that it was not to be feared. 
Houghton (1903) published an account of the life history and habits 
of Recurvaria nanella from an economic point of view, as observed by 
him in England. His attention was directed to the insect in an apricot 
orchard, where the crop had been practically destroyed by it in previous 
years. He was the first to note the fact that the larva, after hatching, 
passes the time before hibernation as a miner in the leaf. He also 
observed that it was the habit of the larvae to bore into the swelling buds 
in the spring. The laivae appeared in swarms on peaches and apricots 
and less commonly on cherries and plums. He mentions the different 
colors assumed by the caterpillars as they near maturity, and this obser¬ 
vation corresponds with our own. 
The distribution of Recurvaria nanella in Europe is given by Staudinger 
and Rebel (1901) as follows: Central Europe, Sweden, northern Spain, 
southern France, central and northern Italy, Dalmatia, and south¬ 
western Russia. 
LITERATURE CITED 
1834. Stephens, J. E. 
Illustrations of British Entomology. Haustellata, v. 4, London, 1834. 
Noted in gardens on trunks of apple trees in June, p. 215. 
1854. Stainton, H. T. 
Insecta Brittanica. Lepidoptera: Tineina, London, 1854. 
First account of habit of larva of feeding on pear, p. 129. 
1871 -72. ROsseER, A. 
Beobachtungen fiber einige in Garten vorkommende Kleinschmetterlinge. 
Jahrb. Nassau. Ver. Naturk. Jahrg. 25/26, p. 424-425, 1871/72. 
Description of larvae attacking fruit trees in large numbers. 
1901. Staudinger, O., and Rebee, H. 
Catalog der Lepidopteren des Palaearctischen Faunengebietes, 3. aufl. des 
Cataloges der Lepidopteren des Europaischen Faunengebietes, Berlin, 
1901. 
Distribution of Recurvaria nanella , pt. 2, p. 155, no. 2874. 
1903. Busck, August. 
A revision of the American moths of the family Gelechiidas. Proc. U. S. 
Nat. Mus., v. 25, p. 767-938, 1903. 
Description of Recurvaria crataegella , p. 811. 
1903. Houghton, J. T. 
Contribution to the life-history of Gelechia (Recurvaria) nanella, Hb., from 
an economic point of view. Ent. Mo. Mag., v. 39 (ser. 2, v. 14), p. 
219-221. 
Most complete account of life history of the species. 
