American Pomology. ApplesWarder, J. A. (John Aston)
Science
American Pomology. Apples
Warder, J. A. (John Aston)
Apples
=Brachytoenia melania=, or the Many-dotted Apple Leaf-worm, is
mentioned by Fitch[40] as eating holes in the leaves, in June and
September. It is rather thick, light green, an inch and a quarter
long, with five white lines and numerous white dots; the worms spin
their cocoons in a leaf. There are two crops.
=Loxotænia cerasivorana=, (_Fitch_), or the Cherry Tortrix, is a deep
yellow worm, with black head and feet. Found in July, fastening the
leaves together and living in families, forming a large nest.[41]
=Desmia maculalis=, or the Spotted-winged Sable, or Grape Leaf-folder,
is a slender, active green worm, that feeds upon and disfigures the
leaves of our grape vines, rolling them with great regularity, and
fastening them with strong bands of beautiful white silk. The pupa is
formed within the rolled leaf. These worms begin in June, but continue
to fold the leaves during the season of growth.
They can be destroyed by hand-picking, but it requires quickness and
dexterity, as the worm escapes from either end of the open pipe when
disturbed. The warblers are very fond of them, and destroy a great
many.
=Carpocapsa pomonella=, or the Codling-moth, is one of these
Tortrices, which gives great trouble. It has been introduced from
Europe, but is steadily increasing as our orchards grow older, until
we now have few perfect fruit. The moth appears early in the summer to
lay the eggs of the first crop of worms. This insect is figured and
described by different authors, among whom Dr. Trimble, of New Jersey,
has paid it especial attention in his recent work.
The eggs are dropped singly upon the blossom end of the apple, that
affords an entrance to the young worm, which passes to the core, about
which it consumes the pulp and the seeds. The worm is whitish,
becoming flesh-colored. In warm weather it attains its growth in three
or four weeks, and makes its exit by gnawing through the side of the
fruit. It instinctively seeks the stem of the tree to secrete itself
under the scales of bark, and this affords us an opportunity to
destroy it in the pupa state, for it will creep under any shelter that
may be put in its way.
The REMEDIES will depend upon the habits of the insect. The moth,
being nocturnal, may be destroyed by burning lamps or fires in the
orchard during June, when they are first at work; cheap coal-oil may
be used for the purpose. The pupæ can be entrapped in large numbers,
by putting a piece of old rag in the crotch of the tree, beneath which
the worms will crawl to spin their cocoons, when they may easily be
destroyed. Dr. Trimble has used a trap, made by twisting a hay rope
and fastening it about the trunk of the tree; under the rope immense
numbers will be found. This trap should be examined fortnightly, as
the moths hatch out during hot weather in a shorter time than later in
the season, when some remain over winter in the pupal state.
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