The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1899-04-21
The Goblin Moth.


The ravages of this dangerous insect
costs the fruit growers of the United
States several millions of dollars an
nually in spoiled fruit. Here in Wash
lngton we are not very badly inflicted
and 1T behooves the fruit growers to
take steps in good time to hold the
evil in check. The JOURNAL herewith
gives complete information from Paul
Mehner, Inspector of Kitsap County:
Anyone who has had much to do
with apples can tell at a glance a
wormy apple, but very few have ever
seen the adult moth which is tire cause
OF all this mischief, as it flies only at
night and is never attracted. to light.
Very few fruit growers would probably
know the cocoon if they found one.
Yet this latter knowledge is of the ut
most Importance in helping to combat
this insect, as it is in these little CO.
coons that they complete their life
cycle and emerge strong and vigorous
TO begin over again the battle against
the fruit grower. Of the destruction
OF these cocoons speak further on.
1t may surprise some fruit growers
to learn that the moths do not emerge
until nearly a week after the blossoms
have fallen from the trees, in nasmuch
as IL has been recommended to spray
for the Goblin moth i'm mediately after
the petals fall, this surprise increases
when we remember that the moth
does not lay eggs for two or three days
after 1t comes on the scene of action,
and that the eggs vdo.not hatch till
from four to eight days after being
laid. Thus we cannotI expect to find
any OF the enemy until nearly two
weeks after the war has commenced.
This may seem like wasting ammuni-
ton, for it is difficult to explain how
Paris Green solution, applied accord
ing to the prescribed rule, "just after
the petals have fallen" could possibly
affect a worm, appearing on the apple
ten days or two weeks later. Let us
see. A careful observer of natures
beauties can find nothing so interest
ing as the development of our fruits,
especially in the early spring and sum-
mer, as every day then changes the
aspect. Let them observe an apple
tree for few minutes every day, from
the time the petals have fallen until
two weeks after and they will be sur
prised at the rapid changes that take
place in that short space of time.
After the petals have fallen from the
apple blossoms we find the embryo
apples generally pointing upward.
The calix lobes are spread out, leaving
the calix cup open. Within a week
these calix lobes will begin to turn up
ward and in less than two weeks after
the petals have fallen, will have came
together and closed the calix cavity,
making the familiar pointed appear
ance in the blossom end of the apple.
1t has been proven by observation
that 20 per cent of the apple worms
enter the fruit at the blossom end
through the calix.
Now let us see what connection this
fact has with the rule of spraying just
after the petals fall. As observed be-
fore, the calix cavity is open for near
ly week after the petals fall. This is
the time that the Paris green solution
can be used with the most satisfactory,
results, if it is applied properly. This
means that some Of the poison must
get into the calix cup, and this is the
only time It Gan. be put there. If it
rains after spraying the work must be