The Codlin Moth in Southland.

Otago Witness, Issue 2045, 4 May 1893, Page 5

The Codlin Moth in Southland.

A letter received from a gentleman at West Plains states that there is a report that the codlin moth has made its appearance in Southland, and he asks to be furnished with some specimens of the insect in order that the moth in question may be compared with them for the purpose of identification. He is in hopes that the visitor may prove to be some less obnoxious insect. On receiving the communication the writer despatched the best specimens on hand, which unfortunately were rather battered about, but will no doubt answer the purpose of comparing with the stranger, and it is to be hoped that the latter may differ widely from them. The writer is also sending two br three specimens to the editor of this journal in case they should be wanted, but anyone who has any suspicion that the codlin moth is present in his orchard need not be long in doubt. If he can catch the moth he will find a bright coppercoloured spot conspicuous upon the tip of each of the front wings. It is of a metallic copper colour, and is seen whether the wings are open or shut (in which latter position the insect rests). The general colour, as it appears to the unassisted eye, is dark slate or brown mottled, and the length about three-eighths of an inch ; but it is not often that any one will perceive the moths, even in a badly-infected orchard. The first thing that one becomes aware of is the loss of the fruit. An apple or pear is perceived to have a hole in the skin, with a little dark-coloured "sawdust" round it (the excreta of the larva) and protruding from it, and generally the eye of the fruit has the Bame appearance. On cutting the fruit in two the core will be seen to have been excavated, and at least one tunnel cut from it to the outside. In most cases there will be a small tunnel at the eye (where the very young larva has entered) and a wider one from the excavated core to the outside, which has been cut to push out the excretse and to ventilate the cave. This is usually but not invariably the case, as the larvse sometimes enter at other places than the eye. Then, unless the larva has gone, it will be found in the burrows. It is a small caterpillar of a pinkish colour, and looks soft and delicate from living in damp quarters. The head is of a darker hue. It is about half an inch long or little more when full grown, and has six spinous, or true, legs in front and eight false legs (skin-deep legs) further back, after an interval of about one-eighth of an inch, and after a smaller interval it has a final pair of false legs at the extremity of the body. The pupa is about 7-16 in long. At first, it is of a light brown colour, turning darker as the moth ib contains matures. I a summer the insect remains in the pupa ODly from seven to nine days (not 24-, as has been stated by a would-be authority), but in winter it remains for months before emerging. Probably the above description may serve to enable orchardisfcs to recognise the ppsfc, but the best plan would be to send a specimen of the moth supposed to be the codlin moth, with some account of its proceedings, and tben the writer could bell what insect it is, and advise accordingly. By far the wisest course to pursue on the first advent of tbe codlin moth, whether it be in a new district or an individual orchard, is to examine the fruit very carefully, and wherever the tell-tale hole and excrete are seen, to pick thai apple off and destroy the larvfo in it, The writer is aware that the plan has been ridiculed as too tedious ar.d uncertain, and even designated as "idiotio," bufc his long and constant experience has taught him ihat ■ it is by far the best and the shortest plan in the j end. He has three separate times stamped the pest out of orchards in this way alone. By not grudging time and trouble, and employing the use of a sharp pair of eyes, the pest can ba clean stamped out in one season; whereas if neglected, in a few years it becomes so serious that it is almost a question whether the value of the trees or the expense of cleaning them is the greatest— that is, in old orchards of big, shaggy-barked trees,