III II III I . I I IIII'I III IIIII II I ‘°“ II (”—3 _.| I 'CDCD—t 5. "., 22223 022 22222 22222222212223? :2 i\2. “GA 23 ..‘€"'2 " 25212.22} 25.22223} OTHER M'WWW " ‘“‘ ORTHERN MiCE‘fiGAN FRUI'?‘ {NSEC‘E‘S "‘2‘22222 {622* 222222 2222922222 :25" 522-5.. 3. 52252222222325: “‘2“ (2‘23“. ‘ $912-$233 2 ’ , “22222.22 8 222.3 22 2-222 2.222 1935-3? THESIS This is to certify that the thesis entitled Studies on the Mineola Roth (Mineola ucitulella) and Other Northern Michigan Fruit Insects presented by Wallace E. Houk has been accepted towards fulfillment of the requirements for 3'15 S terS degree in My &,W a Major professor Date December 5, 1950 0-169 STUDIES ON THE MINEOLA MOTH (MINEOLA SCITULELLA) AND OTHER NORTHERN MICHIGAN FRUIT INSECTS By WALLACE EUGENE ngK A THESIS Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies of Michigan State College of Agriculture and Applied Science in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE Department of Entomology 1950 THESH: ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The writer wishes to express his thanks to Professors Ray Hutson, Franklin Sherman III and Herman L. King of the Michigan State College Entomology Department for their suggestions and guidance in the preparation of this thesis, and to his mother, Naomi H. Houk, for the preliminary typing of the manuscript. The writer also wishes to ex- tend his gratitude to Mr. Donald McLachlan of Kewadin; to the Michigan State Departments of Agriculture and Con- servation; and to Messrs. A. L. Gilleland, Carl Hemstreet, and Vaun Ogden for their cooperation in making this study possible. $344575 Io II. III. IV. TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . REVIEW OF LITERATURE . . . . . . . . . . . The Mineola Moth or Destructive Prune Worm (Mineola scitulella Hulst) . . . . . Insecticides to Kill Maggots of the Cherry Fruit Flies . . . . . . . . . . . Insecticides to Control Lecanium Scales . Miscellaneous Fruit Insects . . . . . . . METHODS AND PROCEDURES . . . . . . . . . . The Mineola Moth or the Destructive Prune Worm (Mineola scitulella Hulst) . . Tests with Insecticides to Kill Maggots of the Cherry Fruit Flies . . . . . . . . Tests on the Control of Fletcher Scale on Peaches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Observations on Some Miscellaneous Fruit Insects O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O PRESENTATION OF DATA- . O O O O O O O O O O The Mineola Moth or Destructive Prune Worm (Mineola scitulella Hulst) . . . . . Distribution and hosts . . . . . . . . Nature of injury . . . . . . . . . . . Life history . . . . . . . . . . . . . Habits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rearing experiments . . . . . . . . . . Control tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . Injury counts . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 10 10 11 12 12 21 23 24 26 26 26 27 29 30 30 3o 32 Tests with Insecticides to Kill Maggots of the Cherry Fruit Flies . . . . . . . Tests on wild pin cherries . . . . . Tests on cultivated sour cherries . . Tests on the Control of Fletcher Scale on PeaCheS O 0 O O I O O O O O O O O 0 Observations on Some Miscellaneous Fruit InseCts O O O O O O O O 0 O 0 O I The plum curculio . . . . . . . . . . The pistol casebearer . . . . . . . . The cigar casebearer . . . . . . . . The eastern tent caterpillar The black cherry aphid . . . . . . . S Ubflm BY 0 O O O O O O O C O O O O O O O O The Mineola Moth or Destructive Prune Worm (Mineola scitulella Hulst) . . . . Tests with Insecticides to Kill Maggots of the Cherry Fruit Flies . . . . . . . Tests on the Control of Fletcher Scale on Peaches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Observations on Some Miscellaneous Fruit Insects . . . . . . . . . . . . . LITEMTURE CITED 0 O O O O O O O O O O O O O O 34 34 36 38 40 no 41 41 41 41 43 1+3 1+6 46 47 48 I. INTRODUCTION In July 1949, while testing fungicides in the Mc- Lachlan orchard at Kewadin, Michigan, Professor A. E. Mitchell of the Horticulture Department noticed the injury of a larva attacking sour cherries. This condi- tion was reported to the Entomology Department when a generalized infestation of the insect was noted at harvest time as a result of detecting numerous larvae emerging from cherries in the picking lugs. Professor Sherman, who visited the orchard, col- lected a number of the larvae and reared some moths from them. These were identified by the Division of Insect Identificationl as the mineola moth, Mineola scitulella (family Pyralididae). The presence of this insect in sour cherries in northern Michigan in 1949 was the first indication that it had done any econom- ically important damage in the state. By the time the cherries from the orchard had ar- rived at the canning plant in Elk Rapids, Michigan, most of the larvae had left the infested fruits but their damage was noticed by the cherry inspector. The flesh of the damaged cherries was discolored and contained 1Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. bits of frass. Some fruits contained minute larvae. Although the majority of the cherries were free of damage and insects, the processor hesitated to accept them because a Federal law prohibits the canning of any food . . . if it consists in whole or in part of any filthy, putrid, or decomposgd substance, or if it is otherwise unfit for food. Canned foods containing such substances are deemed adulterated and violaters of the law are subject to fines or imprisonment or both. A Michigan law states that . . . it is further declared to be illegal for any canning factory, dealer, or other person to receive for canning or to can, or to have in pos- session with intent to can or sell, cherries infested with the cherry fruit fly. Violaters of this law are also subject to penalties. Since the insects in these cherries were not fruit fly maggots,n it was questionable whether the Michigan law could be applied to this case. After the cherries concerned had been more thoroughly inspected and found 2Federal Security A ency Service and Regulatory Announce- ments 1, Rev. 2. Feb. 15, 1946), Sec. 402a (3), Fed- eral Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and General Regula- tions for its Enforcement (Public - No. 717 - Seventy- fifth Congress, Chapter 675, Third Session, 8.5), p. 12. 3Laws, Regulations and Quarantines Relating to the Control of Insect Pests and Plant Diseases (1950), Act No. 86, Public Acts 1929, Dept. of Agric. Regulation No. 600 (4), State of Michigan, Dept. of Agric.; Bureau of Plant Industry, p. 29. 4Rhagoletis cingulata (Loew) and Rhagoletis fausta (0.8.). to have but few damaged fruits as estimated from small random samples, they were permitted to be processed. Since there is no satisfactory control measure known for M. scitulella, the insect is a potential threat to the cherry industry of Michigan. The importance of preventing its damage is emphasized by the state crop report for July, 1950 which indicated a production of 78.8 thousand tons of sour cherries, an amount approx- imating 54.2 percent of the total cherry production of the United States.5 The monetary value of the cherry crop in Michigan in 1950 was approximately 4,728,000 dollars. In the summer of 1950, the writer studied the biol- ogy and control of several fruit insects in northern Michigan with special emphasis on M. scitulella and the cherry fruit flies (Rhagoletis spp.). Tests to control the maggots of fruit flies in wild pin cherries were continued from 1949. The discovery of a heavily infested commercial cherry orchard permitted additional tests for the control of maggots in cultivated cherries. A test was also conducted on the control of Fletcher scale, Lecanium fletcheri Ckll, which was infesting a peach orchard quite heavily. 5Crop Report for Michigan - July, 1950; Bureau of Ag- ricultural Economics, Lansing, Michigan. 11- REVIEW OF LITERATURE The Mineola Moth or Destructive Prune Worm (Mineola scitulella Hulst) Shull and Wakeland (1941) state that the mineola moth or destructive prune worm, Mineola scitulella was first described in 1900 by Hulst who collected it from an unknown host in Colorado. The adult moth is bluish- white in color, about one-half inch long, and wedge- shaped when its wings are at rest. The forewings are marked with a broad transverse white stripe about mid-way and this stripe is bordered on its posterior margin by a smaller reddish-brown stripe. The posterior edge of each forewing contains a similar but more narrow and irregular red and white band. The eggs of this insect are oval, light reddish-brown, and approx- imately 0.5 millimeters wide by 3.5 millimeters long. Immature M. scitulella larvae are yellowish in color with a brown head while mature larvae are chocolate- brown on their dorsal side and lighter reddish-brown on their ventral side. A distinct juncture occurs about mid-way horizontally on the side of the body where the two colors join. The body is slightly more than one- half inch long and covered with short spines. The thoracic legs are very stout and brownish to black in color. The pupae of the destructive prune worm are about three-eighths inch long, brown in color, and large on the anterior end with a rapidly tapered poste- rior end. Pack and Dowdle (1930) state that the United States National Museum has specimens of M. scitulella from California, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Utah, and Wash- ington. Shull and Wakeland (1941) state that larvae of 'M. scitulella were collected from apples near Yakima, Washington, in 1919, an unknown host at Boise, Idaho, in 1921, prunes in the Boise- Payette Valleys in Idaho in 1925, and wild plums and choke cherry galls in Cache County, Utah, in 1929. Infestations of this insect in a number of Idaho prune and plum orchards in 1925 caused concern that it might become an economic pest. By 1930 the insect had become a serious pest of prune and plum orchards in an area eighty miles long and four miles wide in southwestern Idaho and southeastern Oregon. Losses to prunes by the pest were so extensive that it was there called "the destructive prune worm." Fluke (1950) reported that M. scitulella was found attacking cherries in the Peninsular District of Wisconsin in 1949. Jones (1950) reported M. scitulella as having been a serious pest of cherries at The Dalles, Oregon in 1949. List (1950) reported that M. scitulella was found in cherry orchards in northern Colorado in 1944, but has never been a serious pest. Newcomer (1950) stated that M, scitulella was dis- covered feeding in apples and pears in an abandoned orchard in the Yakima Valley, washington in 1950, but it has not appeared or done damage elsewhere in the valley. Webster (1950) stated that M, scitulella had been reported attacking plums and prunes many years ago at Walla Walla, Washington and at Milton—Freewater, Oregon, but he had not been able to ascertain the identity of the insect because no adult moths had been reared. Shull and Wakeland (1941) state that larvae of ‘M. scitulella emerge from winter hibernation in early spring before the flower buds of prunes and plums are open. The larvae bore into the sides of the buds near the base and feed upon the flower parts except the bud scales. Before the buds are entered, the larvae spin dense webs in the crotches of buds and twigs. After boring into buds, the larvae cover their entrance holes with more webbing. Frass is extruded into the webbing as the feeding continues. Several buds are frequently destroyed by a single larva. Besides damaging the buds, larvae feed on the young foliage and within the fruit. The fruit is attacked when the first generation larvae emerge in June. Infested green prunes become shriveled and prematurely colored and many drop to the soil. Lar- vae in the fruit are detected by bits of black frass at the point of entry. Later the ripening fruit is attacked by larvae of the second generation. Haegele (1932) reported thath. scitulella had been responsible for crop losses up to fifty percent in indi- vidual orchards. Iddings (1929) stated that M. scitulella had caused great losses of plums and prunes near Boise and Emmett, Idaho. Haegele (1932) and Shull and Wakeland (1941) report that the destructive prune worm overwinters as partially grown, light to chocolate-brown colored larvae in small wart-like hibernacula in crevices or depressions of bark and in the crotches of buds and twigs. Larval emergence from hibernation begins about March 15 and continues throughout April. The emerged larvae eat into buds and feed from two to four weeks. When the larvae are mature, they drop to the soil to pupate. The moths start to emerge about May 15 and continue to emerge throughout June. During this period they lay numerous eggs singly on the lower sides of leaves. The eggs begin to hatch seven to ten days after being depos— ited on the foliage. The first generation larvae eat into green plums or prunes, feed for approximately three weeks, and then drop to the soil to pupate. The moths of the second generation begin their emergence in July and continue to emerge into early August. The eggs of the second generation are also deposited on the foliage and the young larvae enter ripe fruits just before har- vest. Some of these larvae feed in the fruit for sev- eral weeks and produce a third generation, but the ma- jority feed for a short time and then move to twig wood where they construct hibernacula in which they overwinter. Jones (1950) stated that in Oregon most of the over- wintered larvae of M. scitulella had emerged from their hibernacula by April 9, 1950. The fruit clusters were plainly showing on sweet cherries and partially showing on sour cherries on this date. Mineola larvae fed throughout the blossom period and the first moths ap- peared on June 2. The occurrence of moths reached its peak on June 14. The presence of larvae in cherries was observed towards the end of the harvest period. No references to the rearing of M. scitulella were found, but Hutson (1944) states that the cranberry fruit worm, Mineola vaccinii (Riley) which infests blueberries in southern Michigan, is an extremely difficult insect to rear. Iddings (1931) reported that six species of hymen- Optera parasitize about ten percent of the larvae of 'M. scitulella. Haegele (1932) states that a kerosene - soap oil emulsion spray containing pyrethrum is superior to lead arsenate, lime-sulphur alone or mixed with lead arsenate, and nicotine sulphate preparations as a prune worm con- trol in Idaho. Shull and Wakeland (1941) reported a pyrethrum— oil emulsion spray as still the best control known in Idaho for the prune worm. Such a spray was to be ap- plied two to six days after 95 percent of the overwin- tering larvae had emerged from their hibernacula or about the time the buds begin to swell and show green at the tips. Satisfactory control had been obtained when the spray was applied at temperatures as low as'5O0 F. They noted that M. scitulella never developed more than a light infestation in orchards that received annual dor- mant lime-sulphur sprays. Cover sprays of stomach poisons, presumably arsenicals, were said to be ineffec- tive in preventing the larvae from entering the fruit. Manis and Portman (1950) recommend dormant appli- cations of oil and pyrethrum or lime-sulphur for the control of M. scitulella in Idaho. Jones (1950) reported that cherry growers at The Dalles, Oregon obtained encouraging results in the con- trol of M, scitulella in 1950 with DDT. Sprays of two pounds of 50 percent wettable DDT in 100 gallons of wa- ter or dusts of 10 percent DDT were applied during the 10. late bud stage or when the larvae had emerged from their hibernacula. Mineola infestations were also reduced by some parasitism and possibly by the severe winter of 1949—1950. Insecticides to Kill Maggots of the Cherry Fruit Flies Frick (1950) sprayed benzene hexachloride on sour cherries infested with maggots of the cherry fruit flies in an attempt to kill the insects in the fruit. The treatment appeared to be successful only against those maggots having breathing holes in the fruit. A number of dead maggots were found in both untreated and treated cherries. This was attributed to deterioration of the fruit and high temperatures. Insecticides to Control Lecanium Scales Wheeler and Oberle (1948) report that petroleum oils used as dormant or semi-dormant sprays give satis- factory control of the European Fruit Lecanium, Lecanium .ggrgi Bouche. Asquith (1949) reported that a mixture of one pound of 15 percent parathion and one gallon of oil in 100 gallons of water applied as a medium delayed dormant spray gave an almost 100 percent control 0f.E° corni. 11. Miscellaneous Fruit Insects Morgan and Downing (1950) report that in British Columbia three-fourths of a pound of 15 percent parathion in 100 gallons of water applied either alone or in a dormant oil at petal fall gave a satisfactory control of black cherry aphids until harvest. III. METHODS AND PROCEDURES The Mineola Moth or Destructive Prune Worm (Mineola scitulella Hulst) The data presented was gathered in northern Michigan during the summer of 1950. Studies on Mineola scitulella were initiated on the Donald McLachlan farm at Kewadin. Observations on the control, damage, habits, and life history of M. scitulella were made in a 25-year—old l7-acre sour cherry orchard known to be infested with the insect in 1949. In an effort to discover other cherry orchards in the same vicinity infested with min— eola larvae, visits were made to the cherry processing plants at Elk Rapids and East Jordan throughout the harvesting period. In an attempt to rear moths from larvae of M. scitulella, clusters of infested cherries were gathered and placed in cages consisting of glass lamp globes set in eight-inch flower pots containing soil. Pint jars of water were placed in the soil of the pots and the bases of the stems containing the cherry clusters were immersed in the water to prevent the foli- age and fruits from wilting too rapidly. Several thicknesses of fine gauze were tied over the tops of each globe to prevent the escape of the larvae and any moths that might emerge. This procedure proved to be of 13. no value because within thirty minutes after covering the tops of the globes, practically all the larvae had crawled through the gauze and escaped. The rapid exit of the larvae from this type of enclosure necessitated the use of different rearing techniques. In a second rearing trial, infested cherry clusters were placed in quart glass jars which contained about two inches of soil. The lids were put on just tight enough to prevent the escape of the larvae. Twenty-five clusters were each placed in a separate jar on August 3. The jars were put on a table in a cool barn which was serving as an insectary. Tests with insecticides were conducted for the con- trol of M. scitulella. The objectives of these tests were to determine: 1. The number of applications of each insecticide that might be required for control; 2. The approximate time to apply the insecticides; 3. The best insecticide; 4. Whether the chosen concentration of each in- secticide would give adequate control. To accomplish these objectives, portions of the infested orchard were divided into several Spray series and plots as indicated on the accompanying map of the experimental orchard (Fig. l). The effectiveness of one, two, and three applications of each insecticide, all at KEY TO MAP OF EXPERIMENTAL ORCHARD Each dot represents one cherry tree. Test Spray Series: 1. Rotenone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 trees 2. Pyrethrum . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 trees . Parathion (15%) . . . . . . . . . . 72 trees Lindane (25%) . . . . . . . . . . . 72 trees DDT (50%) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324 trees Chlordane (40%) . . . . . . . . . . 324 trees ONUl-F’UU Non-test Spray Sections: 7. DN-289, Dormant Spray . . . . . . . 108 trees 8. Elgetol, Dormant Spray . . . . . . . 180 trees 9. Parathion (15%), 15 rows of trees treated with one application on June 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 540 trees A. - Three applications of the insecticide. B. - Two applications of the insecticide. C. - One application of the insecticide. In Spray Series 1 to 4, inclusive, plots A, B, and C each con- sist of 24 trees, respectively. In Spray Series 5 and 6, plots A, B, and C each consist of 108 trees, respectively. [:1 Area within which the 24 count trees of plots A, B, and C of Spray Series 5 and 6 are located. .__-_._ o a «g- Q 'Q '9 G v 3 1 * o 4. o c J i o '7 O O O a o o 9 o o~v--O~ ‘. o q ~ 0 - l ’ ' C ‘O—f—Q —O—-‘—- co—«o— ‘—‘-~-~~~o- n H ‘ o v. 0 O O O I o 9.- ¢-—o~->——o——.- —--o “9-- 9 - ,__ O- A_ ‘ - 0 w - + Q 0 v' 4 - V V 0 O s I. 0 v 0 6 3 c a v d 6 ¢ I O O O '0 9 - O O 9 fl 7‘ ' Qv-O--- .. C __._, -§ - v - . ‘ 9 a .. . . . 6 -o- o o ~ 0 o - O. o O O ~9 ' Q o o «o O O 9 q .‘a o ' a Q ., I ~—¢——’-~o~—+—— *— —o- -&—.¥——--O-—-O W*'T‘—VF‘W ‘ -—--v——--v-> m- —wv----—9—-—Q—----o i” .-—--Q —4 -. V. O- O \“4 ‘. Who—4— o— «9- +-—.—-~.—- §—~v up- -+-~ Q— +—-—.— 0*.» --O—-—-.- -- L“; 1 r~ w .‘Ol . . i ~~—-—-— -—O «0‘6 "_—T—+W*‘.9_ ; Q t 5 ft. but 9~c ;.. a- i I 1| 1 0 wt 0 o— o- -o o—«q - 1,-‘Q-H- 9-4 . c. . . 5 I o . ¢ , o r. 0 —-~-—‘ 9'-"'—'O‘-‘.‘.‘O-. ~o O O O o o o o a Q ._.———, 9 o o O o 9 ~§ *0 TLXk). i D O 4n a 0 e O -—--.--- "f’. O 9 fl 0 0 6—0-4 v-v-o v-0 o I 3 a f O " O ‘¢ 6 4 g -. a E . 3 .r ‘ a a 0 O o t 0 6 0 J 5 ’ 1' ' O b o A b 6 O K :_ «4: f x + - ' -fl- 1. 1 .'__ ‘ . -9 Q-+w—-V"Q -’---q—-~-¢--Q—- L‘ "‘ v U 4 *— ~¢~O _‘- ‘— -o— a—vfi— 91- 9 9—--O‘—-.~ ' o s 'I v a 5 O , 9 o u r I - a . . ~ - 2 v " v . «o -—o -1, —-9-—-—9--— 0- _..__.,, o---o—+—o— O "‘ ‘ *—+ . --~ —~' .- ——-—-‘—-'—+--—-9—-.—Q-——-.—’—'-. ~Q~— o—-v— -o-. .—--- --.--4 o 4-- v w c \. " I I.‘ ‘ V ‘ ' 7 ' 6 i 4 ’ ‘ " y 4 4 v 0 L v q 0 O -40— O .f O Q .- 9 s ‘ n . I -v .. o ‘ o O o 0 9 c v y o - .- o , J U . O c i — o — 4.-- ——§—— 0 .... - 4 -- ’-—‘~ -.—-~—Q. - - ‘- ‘ 3 I I 1 - -..-.... up -.--O—-—-—--o--.— ' .0 O 9‘ '0 v 9 ' O .1 a , - 4&— -0 'fi— - c. — a o -o~ I —.o 0‘ ' I f .3 O arg 9 . O . l o 4 o «- I 1 - 4 *4 i - a v 4 In " fl 0 '0 a 8 § \ v ‘o Q-J “-9 --""---‘~O -v-—-.v--- 9 9-“. ~-v-— v-<- ~—-Q-O---—r— q.-.“ —9 ”9+ Hm? \' . o o u U l u 2 . . , . j . “ t ‘ 1. Q 2 Q 9 ‘9- 0‘ q ~0~ o— -«fi-O- o~ O—.-—¢.—.'.-—,. 4...... *_ .1.-- _¢__--._.. -_- 4 qu— J ‘ o o o o o g Q o a o o a v o o c O ,U. o o » a «o «- -\- a -4-o ' O Q 9‘. o 9 a 9 o o ..--,-.. 9- 9- 0 Q ‘0 4- U Q n o c 6 S O :- a o b O o u v o D e t O O o ' ~ I 1 o o a O- 9 o o -. Q 0 0 O Q o «o v Q «o o o o a b c 1 r-v-~Q O-“v—"n r+fl v "“ Q ,"—-r--‘- €“"""‘9 H—j up *-w .~. -- "l a 1 t i - 1 L a. .« . 1 l 1 1 « 1 y 0 * v 1 '. Y ‘ 1 . 5 1 1 , -. , t . e i 1 . . . 5 ~ '5 l ' ‘ I s v 4 1 t 1 - s t . g - a . 1 , .5 1 v . a ‘ ' - { A. v- O 0 o . . -‘r . \ ‘ 5 . 6 ‘ -. ¢ , ‘ I ? u 4 9 l ‘ 4 9 P . . 1 . ‘ . I 4 ; ; . . j 5 f 9 ‘I ‘ o o 3 . ’ ‘ ~ , ‘ ' * A 4 . .' . I I . § ‘ ‘ .. v ‘ ,_ .__ ., ’ ¢ ' 5 .3. ¢ . fi 1. Q 5 o 0 o ~r- o b u. a. n x \ ~ . s I] ‘ \. ! -- ‘ ‘ I \_ 3 ‘4 \..\ g \ .fi . -- . ,_._ --—--_ _. _ . - o --- —- o. — -1 I . s , . 5 ~. I \ ‘.‘ 16. the same concentration, was compared by placing three plots (A, B, C) side by side in each spray series. Since the orchard concerned was used for commercial purposes, the test trees were selected to avoid inter— ference with the insect control operations of the grower; hence untreated check plots were omitted. Little infor~ mation was available concerning the best insecticide to use for the control of M. scitulella, so it seemed ad- visable to get preliminary results on as many materials as possible, rather than to repeat the tests with fewer materials. For this reason, the plots were not replicated. The insecticide applied in each test spray series is indicated in Table I. Rotenone and pyrethrum are considered to have a residual effect. In these tests they were applied at approximately weekly intervals. The other materials were applied at approximately 12-day intervals. The dates of spray application for each test plot are indicated in Table II. During the spraying period, regular counts were made of green cherry injury believed to be caused by the larvae of M. scitulella. Two hundred cherry clusters, each containing four to seven fruits, were chosen at random in each plot of the six spray series and examined for injury. A single injured cherry in a cluster was scored as an injured cluster. The first two applications of 17. TABLE I CONCENTRATION AND KIND OF INSECTICIDE APPLIED TO MINEOLA SCITULELLA TEST SPRAY SERIES A—‘—-— r L J Ounces per Spray Insecticides 100 Gallons Series of Water 1 Rotenone6 7 48.0 Spreader-Sticker 2.6 2 Pyrethrum + Piperonyl Butoxide8 8.0 3 Parathion (15%)9 24.0 4 Lindane (25$ gamma isomer)9 16.0 5 DDT (50%)10 l+8.0 6 Chlordane (40%)9 40.0 6 E-Z-Flo Rotenone Spray Dust No. 44, Michigan Fertilizer Company, Lansing, Michigan. 7E. I. DuPont de Nemours and Company, Inc., Wilmington, Delaware. 8Emulsifiable Pyrenone T—l43, U. S. Industrial Chemicals, Inc., New York, New York. 9Dow Chemical Company, Inc., Midland, Michigan. 10Deenate, E. I. DuPont de Nemours and Company, Inc., Wilmington, Delaware. TABLE II 18. DATES OF SPRAY APPLICATION FOR THE MINEOLA SCITULELLA TEST PLOTS Dates of Spray Application Spray Series PlOt (First) (Second) (Third) A 6 7 6/12 6 21 l B a/“f 6/12 { C 6/7 - _ A 6 7 6 l2 6 21 2 B /7 6/12 { C 6/7 _ _ A 6 7 6/21 7/1 3 B 6/7 6/21 - C 6/7 .. .. A 6/7 6 21 7/1 4 B 6/7 6/21 - C 6/7 .. _ A 6 8 6 21 7 1 5 B 6/8 6/21 { C 6/8 .. .. A 6 8 6 21 7 l 6 B 5/8 6/21 { C /8 - - l9. insecticides in each spray series were each followed by one injury count five to six days later. The third ap- plication was followed by two counts. The second of these counts was made on July 15 and 18 when mineola larvae were beginning to appear in the almost ripe fruits. In Spray series one to four, inclusive, all the trees in each plot (24 trees per plot) were used for the injury count. In spray series 5 and 6 where each plot consisted of 108 trees, only 24 trees in each plot were used for the counts. The count trees chosen in each plot in spray series 5 and 6 are indicated on the map of the experimental orchard (Fig. l). The dates on which the injury counts were made in each plot are indi- cated in Table III. Each test spray contained Dithane fungicide (16 ounces per 100 gallons) and monohydrated zinc sulphate (8 ounces per 100 gallons). Lead arsenate (32 ounces per 100 gallons) for the control of cherry fruit flies was added to those Sprays applied on and after June 12. The Sprays were applied with a 500-gallon portable sprayer having a working pressure of 500 pounds and a 35-gallon pump operated by a tractor-driven power take- off. Approximately five gallons of spray were applied to each tree. Two sections of the experimental orchard not in- cluded in the tests had been treated with dormant Sprays TABLE III DATES OF INJURY COUNTS FOR MINEOLA SCITULELLA* 20. Spray Plot Count Date Count Date Count Date Count Date Series No. One No. Two No. Three No. Four A 6/12 6 17 6/27 7/15 1 B 6/12 6717 6/27 7/15 C 6/12 6/17 6/27 7/15 A 6 12 6/17 6/27 7/15 2 B 6/12 6/17 6/27 7/15 C 6/12 6/17 6/27 7/15 A 6 12 6/27 7 7 18 3 B 6/12 6/27 7% 7/18 0 /12 6/27 7/7 7/18 A 6/12 6/27 7 7 7 l8 4 B 6/12 6/27 7/7 7/18 C 6/12 6/27 7/7 7/18 A 6 12 6/27 7/7 7/18 5 B 512 6/27 7/7 7/18 c /12 6/27 7/7 7/18 A 6/12 6/27 7/7 7 18 6 B 6/12 6/27 7/7 7?18 C 6/12 6/27 7/7 7/18 * See Table II for Spray Application Dates. 21. of DN-289 and Elgetol, respectively. Another non-test section was given a single application of 15 percent parathion (24 ounces per 100 gallons of water) by the grower on June 7. 0n the same farm, an adjacent cherry orchard infested with M. scitulella in 1950 received two applications (June 7 and 21) of 15 percent parathion (24 ounces per 100 gallons of water). Since parathion was one of the principal insecticides used by the grower in his regular insect control operations, this material was used as a standard in estimating the effectiveness of those insecticides used in the test spray series. Tests with Insecticides to Kill Maggots of the Cherry Fruit Flies Tests with 15 percent parathion were conducted on wild pin cherries (Prunus pennsylvanica L.) and culti- vated sour cherries (Prunus cerasus L.) infested with cherry fruit fly maggots (Rhagoletis app.) to determine whether this material kills the insects in the fruit. The sprays for these tests were applied with a truck- mounted sprayer operated at 500 pounds pressure and with a 35-gallon pump. All sprayed trees and the soil beneath them were thoroughly saturated with the spray. Samples of sprayed and unsprayed cherries were picked and placed on screen wire suspended over pans of water containing formalin to collect any live maggots. 22. The tests on wild pin cherries were made in the Young State Park, Boyne City, Michigan. Three groups of pin cherries, each consisting of five to six trees, were treated on August 9 with 16, 32, and 48 ounces of 15 percent parathion in 100 gallons of water, respectively. A group of two to three trees close to each treated group served as untreated checks. On August 15, six days after the spray applications, two gallons of fruit were picked at random from each treated group and untreated check group. Collections of maggots were made from these samples. The tests on cultivated cherries were conducted in the A. L. Gilleland orchard at Alden, Michigan. Tests were made on three plots, each consisting of nine trees. These plots were located along one side of the orchard adjacent to a woodlot. Fifteen pounds of fruit were picked at random from the trees of each plot on August 8. These cherries served as untreated checks. The three plots were then sprayed with 16, 32, and 48 ounces of 15 percent parathion in 100 gallons of water, respec- tively. Six days later, on August 14, fifteen pounds of fruit were again picked at random from each plot. Col— lections of maggots were made from the treated and untreated samples of cherries. So many maggots emerged from the untreated samples of cherries that it was impractical to count them. An 23. estimate of the numbers was obtained by counting the maggots in aliquot portions of the solutions in which they were collected. Each sample of maggots was diluted to 500 milliliters. As each sample was agitated rapidly with a stirring rod, a fraction of the solution with its suspended maggots was picked out with a 50-milliliter beaker. This procedure was repeated twice for each sample and the maggots in each of the 50-milliliter samples were counted. The two counts for each untreated check sample showed no significant difference and were averaged. This average was multiplied by ten to compute the approximate number of maggots in each check plot. Tests on the Control of Fletcher Scale on Peaches The discovery of a heavy infestation of Fletcher scale, Lecanium fletcheri Ckll. in a l2-acre peach or- chard on the McLachlan farm permitted a control test with parathion on this insect. Since soft scale, especially Fletcher scale, has been of infrequent occurrence on peaches in Michigan, there is little data in Michigan records concerning the control of this insect. Field observations in 1949 had indicated that parathion was effective against the newly hatched crawlers of Lecanium scales. More detailed observations were made concerning the kill of Lecanium crawlers with 15 percent parathion in a test on L. fletcheri. Some observations were also made on the life history of Fletcher scale. 24. Microscopic examinations of the eggs of Fletcher scale were made at intervals throughout June and July to determine: (1) the date on which the first eggs had hatched; and (2) the date on which approximately 15 per- cent of the eggs had hatched. The latter date was chosen as the approximate time to begin the control test. The percentage of eggs hatched was estimated by observing a number of twig samples taken at random from the orchard. Observations on Some Miscellaneous Fruit Insects Injury of the plum curculio (Conotrachelus nenuphar Hbst) was found to be extensive on a single apricot tree at the McLachlan farm on June 19. This provided an op- portunity to determine the extent of infestation and its potential to infest nearby peaches. Four hundred dropped fruits were gathered from beneath the tree on June 26. Half of these were placed on screen wire suspended over pans of water containing formalin to collect the larvae as they emerged. The others were placed on a piece of wire screen suspended over soil in a cage consisting of a gauze-covered glass lamp globe set in an eight-inch flower pot. The cherry orchards on the McLachlan farm contained generalized infestations of the pistol casebearer (Ogl- eOphora malivorella Riley). This provided an opportunity to make some observations on the life history of this 25. insect. On June 5, a large number of twigs containing pistol casebearers in the larval stage were collected and placed in glass pint jars containing water. These jars were put in a wire-screen cage which contained about two inches of soil. The cage was placed under a canvas shelter in the open to simulate natural condi- tions. Progressive notes were recorded concerning the biology of the pistol casebearer. A large number of cigar casebearers (ColeOphora occidentis Zell) were collected from the Bennett or- chard in Antrim County on June 29. The twigs containing these casebearers were put in glass pint jars contain- ing water, and these jars were placed in cages consisting of gauze-covered glass lamp globes set in eight-inch flower pots containing soil. Notes were recorded on the life history of this insect. Observations were also made on the control of eastern tent caterpillars, Malacosoma americanum (F.), and black cherry aphids, Myzus cerasi (F.) by parathion when this insecticide was applied to the M. scitulella test plots at the McLachlan farm on June 7. IV. PRESENTATION OF DATA The Mineola Moth or Destructive Prune Worm (Mineola scitulella Hulst) Distribution and hosts. Larvae of M. scitulella were observed infesting Montmorency cherries on the Donald McLachlan farm at Kewadin, Michigan in 1950. On August 10, a call was received from the cherry processing plant at East Jordan, Michigan to identify certain in- sect larvae. Observations at the processing plant estab- lished the fact that the larvae were those 0f.fl' scitulella. The cherries infested by this insect were of the Petoskey variety and were grown in the Eveline orchards at East Jor- dan in Charlevoix County. On August 11, at the same cannery, mineola larvae were found in Montmorency cher- ries from the Porter orchard in Charlevoix County. It is believed the above observations of M5 scitulella lar- vae were the first evidence of the insect in other areas in northern Michigan. It is also noteworthy that the Eveline and Porter orchards are separated from each other by Charlevoix Lake which is about 2% miles wide. Mr. Vaun Ogden, cherry inspector for Antrim and Charlevoix Counties in 1949 and 1950 reported that he had observed larvae of M, scitulella in several orchards during his regular inspection trips but had not known their identity. 27. Those Michigan counties known to contain infesta- tions of M. scitulella in 1950 are indicated on the accompanying map (Fig. 2). Nature of injury. In northern Michigan in 1950, M. scitulella larvae were observed feeding within fruit blossoms during the first week of June. In some of the most mature flowers, the entire ovary had been eaten away or the blossom styles were chewed off above the ovary. Blossoms and buds, in several instances, were webbed together with silk containing irregular masses of larval frass. A few crotches of buds and twigs con- tained open silken cases about one-half inch long. One mineola larva was observed within one of these silken cases. Two badly chewed fruit blossoms and one dead bud, which probably had been entered and chewed earlier in the spring, were found in the vicinity of this par- ticular larva. Mineola scitulella larvae were found in the cherries from July 15 until the end of the harvest on August 18. Larval entries were located on the sides of the fruit and at the base of the stem. These holes were the size of a pin head, black around the edges, and filled with dark brown frass. Feeding occurred first beneath the epider- mis and progressed toward the pit as the larvae grew larger. In late July, many clusters of the cherries contained at least two fruits bound firmly together by Figure 2. 28. 8 '— _.v i MARQUETTE i i ! LU“ - L.._._. i ALGLR _lsCHOOLCRAn' .___ - CHIPPEWA l‘mcxmsou ‘r'j 11—51.” _I i MTCm'E._Lfi I“ 7 , \J i 21:54 ‘ (utucvmu - 9 4 ‘. l ' .gmvolxl. "ET. ,. \ (7 , %B\\.\ . [man 3. ' LELLANAU\\_ / // “"1 L_ our—.- ! / ' g / // MONT ALPEM Iorsaso iuomfl \0 f/fi/yg ______ _L _. ‘- unmu emu? GRAND Imusmcmwronog oscooAi ALCONA _ ITRAV_£R$F.'I i i '- MANISTEE! wzxrono! mswxrlaoscomou! 06:1.meI IOSCO ‘S ._l L _L. Y *1 7' _|._1_ ! ARENAG K5 MA5'0"” LAKE oscmLAl CLARE icunwnj‘. \ I t ._1.._....._'.. i .J‘ IBAY HURON MECOSTA MI LAND' - ._. _._.- 8 OCEANA NEMGO :Isnaewn 0 Li I _, _ . 2 -—-- '—'—'L—T—'-—f— TUSCOLA PAW-“c ”0mm .Gmml SAGINAW i I’"L Husxzcoij —] l . _,___‘ 1 I A»; ..... l—-—J.‘ r-—- ' “5 ET“ ' lcmtsct Wm 'srcuuR '44 OTTAWAi | mm [CLINTowlsumwmsur l . .— —I—- K _.L. ._1. _[__J. _r—l—r _I‘ Irma l V ALLEGAN I BARRY | [ATOM imchmiuvmcs—mul WW” 5 “ ._. LJ_. LL___L___LL__. VMBURiNimuMAzooj CALHOUN i JACKSON IWASHTENAWi mm: L _. ._.L_. .l_,_.r L _[L' - l CASS iS'JOSU’Hj BRANCH jHILLsoALLi LENAWEE memos BERRIEN ._ L.._-J_-_.l I. ,,_L.. A Map of Michigan showing the Counties known to contain infestations of Mineola scitulella Hulst in 1950. 29. webbing and frass. Such clusters were usually injured by but one larva, although two or more larvae were some- times found in a cluster. The larvae were often found feeding within two opposite cherries which touched each other. Cherries were frequently found eaten into no farther than Just below the epidermis; even this injury ruined the fruit for market. The flesh of infested cherries was unsightly because of discolorations and particles of frass. Life history. Observations of g. scitulella (1950) in northern Michigan do not reveal all the facts but suggest the insect may overwinter as immature larvae. This possibility is supported by such evidence as the presence of rather mature larvae, injured or dead fruit buds and blossoms, and silken cases in crotches of buds during the first week of June. After June 8 no more larvae of M. scitulella were seen until July 15, although it is believed a few were present as evidenced by ob- servations of injury to green fruits. In the middle of July, larvae from 1/8 to 3/8 inch long were observed in the nearly ripe cherries. These larvae had become al- most one-half inch long by August 4. Between July 28 and August 3, a few larvae over one-half inch long were observed leaving ripe cherries on the trees. These lar- vae were so mature that it is believed they might have belonged to the overwintering brood. These larvae might 30. have been responsible for the injury observed on green fruits throughout June and part of July. The peak of the Mineola scitulella infestation, as indicated by observations in the orchard, occurred about August 7. Habits. Larvae Of.fl* scitulella have the habit of leaving cherries when they are disturbed on the tree. The presence in picking lugs of cherries damaged by this insect is indicated by the larvae crawling rapidly about on top of the fruit. Mr. Donald McLachlan stated that in 1949 the crawling larvae in the cherry lugs had caused 150 pickers to leave their jobs temporarily. Rearing experiments. Mineola scitulella is a very difficult insect to rear because the immature larvae are capable of escaping through fine wire-screen, gauze, or cloth. Some of the mineola larvae placed in quart glass jars on August 3 were alive on August 26, but no moths emerged. It is believed that the larvae were killed by the accumulation of excessive amounts of moisture within the closed jars. Control tests. The following observations were re- corded at harvest time concerning the insecticide tests for M, scitulella: (1) Plots A, B, and C of the parathion, pyrethrum, and rotenone spray series and plot C of the DDT spray 31. series showed evidence of generalized infestations of the insect. (2) Three applications of parathion evidently gave no more control than one or two applications as indicated by the infestations occurring in the test parathion spray plots and in the non-test parathion spray section. (An adjacent cherry orchard which had two applications of parathion was also infested with g, scitulella.) (3) Plots A and B of the DDT Spray series and plots A, B, and C of the chlordane spray series contained only a few scattered mineola-injured cherries. (4) No mineola-injured cherries were found in any of the plots in the lindane spray series. (5) The non-test sections treated with dormant Sprays of DN-289 and Elgetol were infested as extensively as any of the infested test plots. Although few mineola-injured cherries were found in those plots treated with one to three applications of chlordane and lindane and two and three applications of DDT, the amount of control achieved is uncertain due to questionable infestation of these plots in 1949. It is believed that the failure of parathion to give control in either of the test plots or in a non-test section and in an adjacent orchard may have been caused by im- proper timing of the spray applications or by extremely cool temperatures that may have inhibited the action of 32. the insecticide. Parathion, to be effective, must be applied when air temperatures are at least 700 F. It is believed that further insecticidal tests should be conducted on Mineola scitulella before any recommenda— tions are made for its control. Injury counts. The numbers of green cherry clusters believed to have been injured by g, scitulella in the test plots are recorded in Table IV. The data in Table IV is probably inconclusive be- cause of the level of infestation in some of the plots, but it does indicate that: (1) One application of each of the test insecti— cides gave almost as good control as three applications. (2) The residual insecticides (parathion, lindane, DDT, and chlordane) gave consistently better control than the non-residual insecticides (rotenone and pyreth- rum). (3) Among the residual insecticides, parathion gave the least control. ((4) Two and three Sprays of lindane gave excellent control. (5) Two and three sprays of DDT and three sprays of chlordane gave good control. 33. TABLE IV NUMBER OF GREEN CHERRY CLUSTERS INJURED BY MINEOLA SCITULELLA LARVAE* Number of Clusters Injured Following Spray Plot 2 weeks Series First Second Third after Spray Spray Spray third spray 1 A 8 6 6 2 (Rotenone) g g 3 g 3 2 A 10 3 K 2 O (Pyrethrum) g g 5 10 g 3 A 2 3 2 O (Parathion) 2 i g g 8 4 A 2 O O O (Lindane) g 3 8 g 8 5 A 1 l O O B l O O O (DDT) c 3 2 o 1 6 A l 3 O O (Chlordane) E g i g 8 * See Table II for Spray Application Dates and Table III for Injury Count Dates. 34. Tests with Insecticides to Kill Maggots of the Cherry Fruit Flies Tests on wild pin cherries. Wild pin cherries (Prunus pennsylvanica L.) are found abundantly in the cut-over timberlands of Michigan and often in close proximity to cherry orchards. Since pin cherries are quite generally infested with maggots of the cherry fruit flyll 12 and the black cherry fruit fly, they are frequently accused of being sources of infestation for cultivated cherries. Many growers supplement their maggot control programs by attempting to destroy the pin cherries adjacent to their cherry orchards. This is a costly procedure which must be repeated frequently because the pin cherry is very difficult to destroy and rapidly regrows from root suckers. In 1949, Professor Sherman had conducted tests on the Carl Hemstreet farm at Bellaire, Michigan to de- termine the effect of insecticides on maggots of fruit flies in wild pin cherries. The results of his tests are recorded in Table V. The data listed in Table v indicated that parathion was the best insecticide of those tested for the control of maggots in pin cherries. A concentration of 32 ounces llRhagoletis cingulata (Loew). 12Rhagoietis fausta (0.3.). 35- TABLE V NUMBER OF MAGGOTS IN TREATED AND UNTREATED CHECK SAMPLES OF PIN CHERRIES IN 1949 (Insecticides were applied on August 2.) (Test samples of cherries were picked on August 9.) Ounces per gimbggsogn Group Insecticide lOO Gallons gg t of Water TWO Quar S of Fruit 1 Aldrin 16 115 2 Aldrin 8 228 3 Dieldrin 16 38 4 Dieldrin 8 77 Parathion O 5 (15%) 32 Parathion 6 (15%) 16 7 Check No. l - 263 9 Check No. 2 - 237 36. in 100 gallons of water appeared to be more promising than one of 16 ounces. Tests to determine the effect of insecticides on maggots of the fruit flies in wild pin cherries were continued in northern Michigan in 1950. Unsatisfactory results with aldrin and dieldrin in 1949 led to their abandonment in favor of the more promising parathion. The results of these tests are recorded in Table VI. The data outlined in Table VI substantiates the results of the previous year. Parathion, at a concen- tration of 32 ounces in 100 gallons of water again gave satisfactory control. The application of such a spray to kill the maggots of fruit flies in wild pin cherries would be a cheaper method of control for the orchardist than the eradication of the trees. Tests on cultivated sour cherries. Michigan law states that . . . when cherry trees are found to be infested with cherry fruit fly the cherries on such trees shall be picked as soon as possible by the owner or person having same in charge, and such cherries buried two feet below the surface of the ground, covering them with quick lime in presence of inspector, or they must be completely destroyed by fire.13 This procedure is very costly in time and money. l3Laws, Regulations, and Quarantines Relating to the Control of Insect Pests and Plant Diseases (1950), (Act No. 86, Public Acts 1929), Dept. of Agric. Reg- ulation No. 600(3), State of Michigan, Dept. of Ag- ric., Bureau of Plant Industry, p. 28. 37- TABLE VI NUMBER OF MAGGOTS IN TREATED AND UNTREATED CHECK SAMPLES OF PIN CHERRIES IN 1950_ (Test Sprays were applied on August 9.) (Test samples of cherries were picked on August 15.) Ounces of Number of Grou Parathion per Maggots in Untreated p 100 Gallons Two Gallons of Check of Water Pin Cherries 1 l6 1 25 2 32 o 34 3 48 0 6A The discovery of a commercial sour cherry orchard heavily infested with maggots of cherry fruit flies per- mitted additional tests with parathion for the control of maggots in cherries. The results of these tests are recorded in Table VII. It is interesting to note that, prior to making the tests in this orchard, a number of fruit fly maggots were observed by the writer and by Professors Hutson and Sherman to be pupating on the surface of the soil. Professor Hutson remarked that this was the first time in his twenty years' work with this insect that he had seen it pupating on top of the soil. The same habit was also observed on top of the untreated lots of cherries suspended over col- lection pans. 38. TABLE VII NUMBER OF MAGGOTS IN TREATED AND UNTREATED CHECK SAMPLES OF CULTIVATED SOUR CHERRIES IN 1950 (Untreated Check samples of cherries were picked on August 8. The sprays were also applied on this date.) (Treated samples of cherries were picked on August 14.) Ounces of Number of Plot Parathion per Maggots in Untreated 100 Gallons 15 Pounds of Check of Water Cherries 1 16 0 1065 2 32 0 535 3 48 0 545 The results of the 1950 tests on cultivated cherries indicated that growers whose crops were condemned because of the presence of maggots of the cherry fruit flies could spray with 15 percent parathion at concentrations of 16 ounces or more in 100 gallons of water to kill maggots in the cherries. This method would be more practical and cheaper than burying or burning the cherries. Tests on the Control of Fletcher Scale on Peaches Peach trees in Michigan are sometimes attacked by the European Fruit Lecanium, Lecanium corni Bouche. On the McLachlan farm, a commercial peach orchard was severely infested with a scale identified by the Division of Insect 39- Identification14 as Fletcher scale, Lecanium fletcheri Ckll. This scale resembles L. gggni so closely that it is usually mistaken for that Species. The following observations were recorded on the life history and con- trol of Fletcher scale: (1) Large numbers of eggs, approximately a thousand for many individual scales, were found under the females on June 5. (2) The first eggs started to hatch on July 5. Six days later, on July 11, about 15 percent of the eggs had hatched and crawlers occurred in large numbers on the limbs, twigs, and leaves. (3) An examination of the twigs and leaves on July 20, eight days after the first spray of parathion (on July 12), indicated a crawler mortality of about 65 per- cent. This low kill may have been caused by (a) the spray being applied when too few eggs had hatched; and (b) insufficient coverage of the trees with the spray. It is believed that the tractor pulling the sprayer was geared too fast during the Spraying Operations. (4) A second application of parathion on July 27, two weeks after the first application, caused a crawler mortality approaching 100 percent. It is believed that 14Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. 40. one thorough application of parathion might have been sufficient if it had been applied when a greater per— centage of eggs had hatched. Observations on Some Miscellaneous Fruit Insects The plum curculio.15 The following observations were recorded concerning the plum curculio which was found infesting a single apricot tree on the McLachlan farm: (1) Over a period of 16 days, from June 26 to July 12, one hundred fifty-four curculio larvae dropped into the collection pans. During this period, those larvae in the apricots suspended over soil in a glass lamp-globed flower pot were dropping to the soil to pupate. (2) On August 10, forty-five days after placing apricots in a glass lamp-globed flower pot, curculio adults started emerging from pupae. This emergence con- tinued for 13 days or until August 23 when 17 plum cur— culio adults were counted. (3) A total of at least 171 plum curculio larvae had been present in the 400 apricots gathered from the soil under the tree. Approximately 42.7 percent of the apricots had been infested with the insect. (4) The apricot tree is a potential source of in- festation for the commercial peaches on the farm and should be sprayed regularly or eradicated. I5Conotrachelus nenuphar Hbst. 41. 16 The pistol casebearer. Pistol casebearer larvae were observed feeding on buds, flowers, and fruits as late as June 12. The cherries in the orchard were about the Size of buck-shot at that time. The larvae began to pupate on the twigs several days prior to June 12. Pupa— tion occurred over a period of one month and was in progress until July 14. The first moths began to emerge on July 5 and continued to emerge for two weeks, until July 20. The cigar casebearer.l7 Cigar casebearers, in the pupal stage, were collected on June 29. Nineteen days later, on July 18, moths started to emerge from the pupae. Oviposition of the first moths was observed four days later, on July 22. 18 The eastern tent caterpillar. A number of eastern tent caterpillar infestations were killed by parathion (24 ounces of 15 percent wettable powder in 100 gallons of water) when this insecticide was applied to the m. scitulella test plots at the McLachlan farm on June 7. The black cherry aphid.19 On sour cherries at the McLachlan farm, parathion, as a summer spray (24 ounces l6Coleophora malivorella Riley. l7Coleophora occidentis Zell. 18 19 Malacosoma americanum (F.). Myzus cerasi (F.). 42. of 15 percent wettable powder in 100 gallons of water), was observed to give a quick kill of black cherry aphids without infestations recurring. V. SUMMARY The Mineola Moth or Destructive Prune Worm (Mineola scitulella Hulst) l. The mineola moth or destructive prune worm (Mineola scitulella Hulst) is a new pest of sour cherries in northern Michigan. Important damage by this insect was reported in the state for the first time in 1949. No satisfactory control is known; hence the insect is a potential threat to the cherry industry of Michigan. The importance of preventing its damage is emphasized by the fact that in 1950 over one—half of the cherries produced in the United States were grown in Michigan. Mineola scitulella was also found seriously attacking cherries for the first time in Oregon and Wisconsin in 1949, and in Colorado in 1944. Prior to its attacks on cherries, M. scitulella was a pest of plums and prunes in Idaho and Oregon. The tremendous losses of prunes due to this insect had caused it to be called the "destructive prune worm." 2. In 1950, M, scitulella larvae were found infesting sour cherries on the McLachlan farm, Kewadin, Michigan from July 15 to August 18. The peak of infestation oc- curred about August 7. Mineola larvae were also found in sour cherries from the Eveline and Porter orchards in 44. Charlevoix County at the East Jordan processing plant on August 10 and 11, respectively. This is believed to be the first evidence of the insect in other areas in north- ern Michigan. 3. Mineola scitulella larvae were Observed feeding within fruit blossoms during the first week of June. Blossoms and buds were webbed together with Silk con- taining irregular masses of larval frass. Mineola larvae bind cherries together with Silk webbing and bore into the fruits to feed. The larval entrance holes are black around the edges and contain dark frass which is extruded into the webbing on the cherries. The flesh of damaged cherries is discolored and contains bits of frass. 4. Mineola scitulella may overwinter in Michigan as immature larvae. Larvae may have been present through- out June and part of July. In the middle Of July, larvae were first observed in nearly ripe cherries. 5. Mineola scitulella larvae have the habit of emerging from the fruit when it is disturbed on the tree. The presence of mineola damaged cherries in picking lugs is indicated by larvae crawling rapidly about on top of the fruit. 6. Attempts to rear moths from M. scitulella larvae were unsuccessful. 45. 7. In tests conducted for the control of Mineola scitulella, three applications Of parathion, pyrethrum, and rotenone and one application of DDT gave poor con- trol. Although plots treated with one or more applica- tions of chlordane and lindane and two or more applica- tions of DDT contained few mineola injured cherries, the amount of control achieved is uncertain due to question- able infestation in these plots in 1949. Trees treated with three applications of parathion were as badly in- fested with mineola larvae as trees treated with only one application of the same insecticide. Non-test trees treated with DN-289 and Elgetol as dormant sprays were also infested with mineola larvae. 8. Mineola scitulella larvae may have been present doing damage to green cherries throughout the spraying period. 9. Mineola scitulella injury counts indicated that residual insecticides gave consistently better control than non-residual insecticides. Of the residual insecti— cides, lindane gave the best control while parathion gave the poorest control. One application of each of the residual insecticides gave a control almost as good as three applications. 46. Tests with Insecticides to Kill Maggots of the Cherry Fruit Flies l. Parathion (32 ounces of 15 percent wettable powder in 100 gallons of water) killed maggots of the cherry fruit fly and the black cherry fruit fly in wild pin cherries. This confirmed the results obtained by Sherman in 1949. 2. In a commercial sour cherry orchard infested with maggots of the fruit flies, 15 percent parathion (16 ounces or more in 100 gallons of water) evidently killed the maggots in the cherries. Fruit fly maggots were observed pupating on the surface of the soil in the same orchard. Tests on the Control of Fletcher Scale on Peaches 1. Two applications of 15 percent parathion (24 ounces in 100 gallons of water), one when 15 percent of the eggs had hatched and another two weeks later, gave almost 100 percent kill of the crawlers of Fletcher scale, Lecanium fletcheri Ckll. It is believed that one thorough application, applied when a greater percentage of eggs had hatched, would have been sufficient. 47. Observations on Some Miscellaneous Fruit Insects 1. At least 171 of 400 fruits from a single apricot tree on the McLachlan farm were found infested with the plum curculio. Seventeen adults and 154 larvae were collected from two samples of 200 dropped fruits, respec- tively. This data indicates that the apricot tree is a potential source of plum curculio infestation for com- merical peaches on the same farm. 2. Pistol casebearer larvae were observed feeding in the orchard as late as June 12. Pupation started a few days prior to this date and continued until July 14. Moths emerged from July 5 to July 20. 3. Cigar casebearers were in the pupal stage on June 29. Moths started to emerge on July 18 and the first moths started oviposition on July 22. 4. Summer Sprays of 15 percent parathion (24 ounces in 100 gallons of water) killed eastern tent caterpillars and black cherry aphids. LITERATURE CITED Asquith, Dean 1949 Oils in Dormant Sprays to Control European Fruit Lecanium and Terrapin Scale on Peach. Jour. Econ. 3213., 42 (4):624-625. Fluke, C. L. 1950 Professor of Entomology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin (written communication). Frick, Kenneth E. 1950 The Present Status of the Cherry Fruit Fly in the ngima Valley. Wash. Agri. Exper. Sta. Cir. 83; 1 pp. Haegele, R. W. 1932 Some Results with Pyrethrum in the Control of Mineola scitulella Hulst (Lepidoptera, Pyralididae) Jour. Econ. Ent., 25:1073-1077; 2 tb. Hutson, Ray 1944 Controlling the Fruitworm on Blueberries. Mich. State College Quar. Bul., 26(4):283-284. Iddings, E. J. 1929 Report of Work in Entomology at the Idaho Station (Work and Progress of the Agricultural Experimental Station for the Year Ending December 31, 1928). Univ. of Idaho Agri. Exper. Sta. Bul., 164:29. 1931 ‘Report of Work in Entomology at the Idaho Station (Work and Progress of the Agricultural Experimental Station for the Year Ending December 31, 1930). Univ. of Idaho Agri. Exper. Sta. Bul., 179:29. Jones, S. C. 1950 Associate Entomologist, Oregon State College, Cor- vallis, Oregon (written communication). List, G. M. 1950 Station Entomologist, Colorado Agricultural and Mechanical College, Fort Collins, Colorado (written communication). 49. Manis, H. C. and R. W. Portman 1950 Idaho Recommendations for Insect Control. Univ. of Idaho Agri. Exper. Sta. Bul., 279:37-38. Morgan, C. V. G. and R. S. Downing 1950 The Uses of Parathion in British Columbia Or- chards. Can. Ent., 82(2):47-48. Newcomer, E. J. 1933 Orchard Insects of the Pacific Northwest and Their Control. U. S. D. A. Cir., 270:;6. 1941 *Urchard Insects of the Pacific Northwest and Theér Control. U. S. D. A. Cir., 270(Rev.): 59- 0. 1950 ‘Senior Entomologist, Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine, United States Department of Agriculture, Yakima, Washington (written com- munication). Pack, H. J. and V. Dowdle 1930 A Wild Host of Mineola scitulella. Jour. Econ. Ent., 23:321. Shull, W. E. and C. Wakeland 1941 The Mineola Moth or Destructive Prune Worm. Univ. of Idaho Agri. Exper. Sta. Bul. 242; 7 pp, 7 fig. Webster, R. L. 1950 Chairman of the Department of Entomology, State College of Washington, Pullman, Washington (written communication). Wheeler, E. H. and G. D. Oberle 1948 Oils in Dormant Sprays to Control European Fruit Lecanium and Cottony Peach Scale. Jour. Econ. £313., 41(2):186-189. ( ‘T'U‘v ‘1 .. . "'IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII5"