New Zealand Department of Agriculture.

Manawatu Herald, 7 May 1896, Page 3

New Zealand Department of Agriculture.

-© JOHN D. EITCHIE, Secretary. LEAFLETS FOR GARDENERS AND FRUITGROWERS, No. 18,

By T. W. Kirk, F.L.S., Ac, Lond., Government Biologist. Small branch of apple-tree, showing shrivelled fruit with hole made by grub in each. Natural size. Prom nature.

Last season I found in an orchard in the Wellington Provincial District several trees bearing a large number of apples dried and shrivelled up in the manner shown in figure 1. 80 dry and hard had they become that it proved a difficult matter to halve tham with an ordinary pocket-knife. A considerable number were gathered for examination ; but although all were pierced, as shown in the drawing, yet in one instance only could I find the insect that had done the damage. This proved to be a small grub, the larva of a beetle. In no instance was more than one hole visible in any particular apple, but inside large cavities were eaten ont ; and, in some cases, the burrows travelled right through the fruit, turning and twisting in various directions. After a careful exaini-,

The following is Mr French's description : •• This new destroyer of apples is a small brownish beetle about two lines in length, covered reddish-grey down. The antennae (horns) being slightly clubbed, elytra (wing-cases) having upon them a row of small tubercles. Legs very long for bo small a beetle. Perfect insect, yery active, propelling itself when not on the wing with a short jerky motion. The grubs are small, and of a yellowish* white colour, and it is supposed that the egg or eggs are deposited by the female inßect in the fruit shortly after its being formed on the tree. Mr Stiggants informs me that the perforated fruit will remain upon the tree the whole year, and in the centre of these shrivelled fruits the grubs lives and undergoes ita various changes (metamorphoses), and finally, at the com* menoement of the fruit season, is

nation of both the grub and its work I found it to be identical with the larvaof what Mr C. French, in his excellent work, " Handbook of the Injurious Insects of Victoria," has described and figured under the name of Apple Beetles {Dotieus pestiI ns, Oliff) ; and, although it is somewhat risky identifying an insect from the larva alone, I have little doubt that the Victorian insect has been introduced, probably in fruit-packing material. At any rate, the mode of attack and effect are, as stated, identical ; and therefore the precautions which prove effective in Australia will answer here also. The New Zealand fruit shrivelled early in the season, but remained firmly attached to the trees, and at the end of March showed no sign of dropping.

ready to deposit its eggs in the early crop of apples." Mr French states tbat this is a very destructive pest indeed. The fact that in March I examined so many apples without finding the larva* would eeem to indicate that our insect does not always remain in the fruit till the perfect or beetle stage is reached, or perhaps that it is double-brooded. However, we shall learn more next season. Meantime, attention is drawn to the matter in order that orchardists may be on the lookout for this little stranger, and accord him a reception befitting his deeds. Remedies and Preventives.— (l) Spray well as soon as the fruit has set, with paris green or london purple ; (2) Burn all infeoted fruit ; (8) Keep the orchard free from weeds, &c, and the trees clear of moss and other cover for insects.