Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-12-31
DaiIu 7sfnnebsr 5ournaI.
The Apple sTaggot.

While at the State Fair, Mr.. G.. NJ.
Weed called my attention to the fact that
fruit on exhibition was attacked by the
apple maggot (Tgpeta ponaenelIa.)
Since returning home / have found a
half barrel OF fall apples, procured from
Shiawassee county. entirely ruined by
this insect. also hear that this maggot
is quite common in apples about Lansing.
This insect has attacked the apples in
New York and some of the New England
States for years. and has been considered
by many as the most grievous pest OF the
orchard, Last year I received this insect
from Mr. Phoenix of Delayan. Wis. The in
sect has been known to infest the thorn APP
pie in Michigan, Wisconsin. and Illinois for
years, but until this fall have not heard
of its attacking our Michigan apples.
Whether the eastern maggots have been
imported here in fruit shipped West, or
whether our native insect of this species
have learned that apples are toothsome, it
is hard to say. II is enough to know that
ii ia here, and at work.
A two-winged fly lays many eggs on
the apple in July. The little. white. foot
less maggots are pointed at the mouth
end, and are possessed Of little black free
w movable hooks. whice are attached to a
framework Just back of the head. This
pointed black head and the absence of
feet are are enough to enable US to distin-
puish this insect from the Goblin moth
larva. There are several, not one, as in
the case Of the old apple worm" in a
single fruit. have taken twelve maggots
from single apple. These maggots eat
through and through the apple, and not
Just above the core. 80 the apple is not
SIMPLY injured, it is ruined, unless. for
sooth, it is thought we'll to make cider (')
out of such fruit. The filthy tunnels and
plump maggots make such apples most
disgusting
The maggots are about two-tenths of an
inch long, and when full fea come forth
from small circular holes. have an apple
that shows 81 of these holes.
The larva leaves the apples in Septem-
Der and October. and go into the earth to
pupate The pupa resembles the larva,
except it is shorter, and not 80 pointed in
front.
The fly which comes forth in June is
black, with red head and legs. 1t is less
than one-half of an inch long. In form,
the fly resembles the house-hy. The
wings are light, crossed with dusky bars
These maggots do not attract attention
very much until September, and so are
much the more harmful in autumn fruit.
They do work some, however in winter
fruit. In this respect, being for the most
part confined to fall apples. and in this
respect alone. they are less to be dreaded
than the codling moth. AS will be easily
understood by the above, this insect is a
terrible enemy. and we may well work to
stamp it out at the very onset.
As the apples attacked become ripe
early and fall prematurely, we have but
to keep sheep or hogs in the orchard to
destroy them. This is the only remedy
which | can at present suggest. Of course
apples containing these maggots, which
are gathered for use, should be fed to hogs
as soon as their condition IS learned.
1t is OF the utmost Importance that all
this ''wormy"--we better say maggoty
fruit should be treated so as to destroy the
maggots.-A. j. Cook IN Country Gentle
men.