The San Francisco call., 1905-01-26
GOBLIN MOTHS
ENEMY THRIVES
Great News for Orchard Men
Is Fact That Imported
Parasite Is Doing Well
HAS A DEADLY RAPIER
In Arena of Glass It Is
Seen to Stab Larva to
Death and Deposit Eggs

Farmers and fruit growers will be in
terested in the information that the
beneficial parasite imported into Cali
fornia for the extermination of the cod
lin moth is thriving in the ferry building
in this city. Daily Messrs. Ehrhorn and
Carnes Of the State Horticultural Com
missioner's staff receive proof of this
highly significant statement. If the
parasite does as well in the open in or
chards when placed to perform the work
required as it is doing in the ferry
building millions of dollars will be add
ed to the value of the apple crops of
California in a very few years.
Some days ago the parasites began to
hatch quite numerously. In large glass
jars flies of a peculiarly glossy luster
appeared, one after another, and soon
began to viciously attack sliced apples
that had been previously placed in the
jars. The apple was eaten, so say the
entomologists, solely because of the
drink it's juice afforded. After a good
drink or two apiece of applejack the
flies started in upon their real work
the killing of worms that would turn
into Goblin moths, and the depositing of
eggs in the bodies of the worms, which
would serve as food for the future
young of the parasite.
The transparent glass jars afforded
Messrs. Ehrhorn and Carnes rare op-
portunities to watch the entire process
They are devoted students of the nat
ural phenomena supplied for the in
struction. The parasite fly has long,
wiry legs of strength that would be un-
suspected on a casual examination. 1t
also has sword-that is, the female
fly has-and this thin, rapier-like point
innradihIa oS the fanf iS
sufficiently strong and is welded with
enough vigor to perforate repeatedly
thick layers of apple tree bark and to
stab to death with repeated and rapid
wounds the worm that is directly un-
derneath the bark.
This sword like appendage is charged
with the eggs Of the fly parasite. When
1t wounds the worm to death 1t leaves
the eggs in the wounds to hatch. To
make all the experimental conditions
perfect the Horticultural Commissioner
had Goblin moth worms brought to this
city in considerable quantities. He also
provided for the worms quantities of
apples, by the box, which the worms
promptly attacked, the apple being
their particular food. The worms paved
the way for future Goblin moths, and so
the enemy of the apple and the enemy
of the Goblin moth were produced in
the same room, under constant inspec-
ton, and an insect tragedy was pre-
meditatedly prepared for the pleasure
OF any one who wished to watch the
minute gladiators In their arena Of
glass.
Boughs from apple trees are also
placed under glass. The bark on these
boughs has been so perforated that the
Goblin moth worm crawls easily under
1t. Then comes the fly parasite from
Europe and by marvellous instinct To-
Gates the invisible worm from Watson
Vile or other California point with un
erring certainty. Then follows the pro-
cess of stabbing the worm to death, as
already described. The fly parasite has
been seen to stab several worms to
death, and in each the eggs of the fu-
ture flies, to stab to death other worms
and so cut off the supply of Goblin
moths, have been deposited. In fact,
the insect tragedies seem to proceed in
an endless chain.
George Compere, who discovered the
deadly enemy of the Goblin moth in Eu-
rope after twice circling the globe in
search of it, will be here soon. AS soon
as the weather is favorable the first
distribution Of the Goblin moth para
sites will be made. Compere will accom-
pany the Horticultural Commissioner
representatives to some orchard which
is determined to have about the same
conditions as the european orchard
where the parasites were discovered.
When the favorable surroundings are
thus provided nature is supposed to do
the remainder of the work, and not
only California, but all of horticultural
America, will look on with interest
based on financial as well as scientific
considerations. The success of the ex-
pertinent will mean that the apple crop
of the United States will be doubled
from the same acreage In a few years
as soon as the parasite has had a chance
to become domesticated all over the
land.