The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1908-03-28
THE JAPANESE FRUIT MINER
Description Of the Pest Which Was Made the Pree for the Violation Of III
Big Fruit Contract--Is History in British Columbia III

enclosed in network or loose, open
bag Of large meshed. e in. by 16 in.
The inside cocoon is apparently open
at one end. for in nearly every In
stance the larvat head and skin are
pushed ont into the outer COCOON.
specimens of the apple fruit miner
confined in jar having layer Of
moist earth at the bottom. and con-
tanning. also. loose pieces OF bark, in
variably choose the latter to spin
upon. the cocoons being generally
placed in crevice, or under Q fake
of bark.
''The moth is very slender insect,
measuring q inch across the expand
ed wings. Upper wings are silvery-
gray in color. mottled with darker
patches. Along the inner margin,
from the base to the middle of the wing
is broad silvery band of white. end
ing abruptly on the inner margin. but
In spur running backwards at the
outer angle of the band. This is fol-
lowed by conspicuous black patch,
which, widest at the inner margin,
runs diagonally backwards across the
wing; next to this is An elongated
triangular white patch mottled with
brown. having the base on the inner
margin of the wing and the apex
elongated and directed backwards
towards the tip of the wing. which
terminates with an eye-like spot some
what like a peacock's feather. The
dark gray lower wings are heavily
fringed all round with long silky
gray hairs. as also is the lower apical
margin of the upper wings. The from
tai tuft and the thorax are of the same
silvery white as the broad bands on
the upper wings. which come together
when the wings are closed and, join
ing with the thorax, form q continuous
white dorsal stripe from the front to
half way down the wings. where it is
cut off by the dark bands which cross
the wings diagonally. The two white
triangular patches also come together
when the wings are closed, forming a
crescent-shaped saddle toward the tip
of the wings. When at rest the pos
terror end of the body is raised up at
an angle of As degrees and the insect
is supported on four legs very widely
separated. At such times the moth
bears very little resemblance to an
insect and may certainly be easily
overlooked.
'"There is little doubt that this in
sect is indigenous in this Province
and when it's proper food is abundant
would be of small consequence to fruit
growers. but it should certainly re-
ceive attention when numerous IN
orchards. as if allowed TO increase un-
checked. it's present habit of feeding
upon cultivated fruit only OCCASION
ally may become changed. and yearly
attacks the rule instead of the excep-
tion.
''The life history of the insects, SO
far as known. does not disclose any
vulnerable point of attack by means
of spraying. but their numbers may
be reduced by a systematic yearly de-
struction of all infested fruit, and by
destroying. 80 far as possible. all crab
apple trees and bushes in the vicinity
of orchards.
Infested wild crab-apple fruit
turns black and may be readily dis
on the trees by the differ
ence in color between this and sound
fruit. It has been observed that spe-
cimen larvae were ready to spin up
early in August. and destruction
of infested fruit must necessarily be
done sufficiently early to catch the
larva before this takes place. to be Of
any service. -
/ have another bulletin, which Is,
going to press in s few days. which
will contain full description, and
which shall be glad to send you
when published.
have the honor to be, Sir,
Your obedienJ servant.