Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1898-01-15
rortro1,ing the Goblin Moth.

Introducing VIC ShS"V
rmrone. into this state, or as the
Garn,ans call it, the Kohlmeise, as
,roans of controlling the Goblin
'notb has met with wide approval,
nd nm optimistic opinion seems to
arevail that "wormy" apples in
his region would quickly become
rorities if we could only get this
bird established among us. There
"a however, another side to the
anestion which cautions us to make
Taste slowly in this matter. A re-
cent letter from DR.. c. Hart Mer-
RAM, chief of the Government Bio
Iopical Survey, has the following to
say in regard to the Kohlmeise;
briefly stated, reports very as to
the value of this bird, some emf
nent German authorities claiming
that it is a beneficial species, par
ticuIarly useful in destroying the
Goblin Moth. Several English
writer's on the contrary, among
them the eminent ornithologist, W.
3, Tegetmeier, assert that the great
Tit does considerable damage to
pears and other fruit.
1--WE have no evidence to show
that the bird feeds to any extent on
the Goblin Moth, and since it is
alleged to injure fruit, we should
not advise its introduction, at least
until it is conclusively shown that
the species is not injurious. 1t IS
difficult to see what is to be gained
by the introduction Of the Kohl
molse, as there are at least four or
five native titmice Of the same
genus in YOUR state. There is al
WAYS danger that exotic species will
increase beyond bounds when
brought into new region, and the
familiar examples of the English
Sparrow in this country, and the
Mongoose in Jamaica, should make
US cautious about introducing any
bird or mammal which is likely to
become a pest instead Of an aid to
the horticulturist,"
If, as has been stated by some
horticuIturalists, it is true that the
Goblin Moth is not a serious pest
in Germany, it would be helpful to
know what agents hold the insect
in control; but evident by the claim
that the Kohlmeise is the principal
DESTROYER of it lacks sufficient evil
dence On this account, as we'll as
the reputed fruit destroying habits
of the bird, DR., Merriam's adverse
opinion is entitled to much consid-
Grafton
Though the Goblin Moth is one
OF The most destructive Of insects,
and causes nearly as much com
plant as all others combined, II IS
safe 10 say that not one orchardlst
in twenty-five has ever seen the
adult moth. So shy and retiring
is the insect in its habits that only
by the closest search can it be
found even when abundant. by
rearing the larvae, however, the
moth can easily be obtained. All
that is necessary is to pat the in
tested apple in q jar over which a
piece of gauze is tied. When fully
grown the worm" or larvn leaves
the apple and in sheltered place
builds q thin brownish cocoon in
which it changes into pupa. Ten
days laier the moth energies. 1t Is
a beautiful little creature, the wings
being chocolate brown in color,
barred and streaked with paler
grayish bands. 1t would repay
every orchardist to raise few of
the adult moths. just to be able to
recognize them. A good many or
chardists labor yet under the i'm
preston that the moths that fly
about lights at night are the adults
of the apple worm" an error that
has led more than one fruit grower
to put in expensive light traps to
catch them. 1t is true that the
Goblin Moth flies mainly at nlght,
but it is never attracted to, but on
the contrary, avoids light.
70 control the Goblin Moth only
two methods have been found that
are profitable. The first one most
important is by spraying with one
of the arsenical poisons, preferably
Paris Green, using it at the rate Of
one pound to 150 or even 200 gal
Ions ofwater. To make the spray
stinl- hat1nr some nXnnrinlnnterS