Page:The Olive Its Culture in Theory and Practice.djvu/143

Rh origin. The damage caused by the moth we have already stated. Those of the first generation injure only a portion of the leaves, those of the second consume the blossoms which would be transformed into fruit, those of the third take the fruit itself.

The different methods that may be suggested to combat the moth may be reduced to these three:

First—To cut away in February and March the branches which shelter the first generation. Their presence can be detected by the appearance of the leaves, which become transparent.

Second— By gathering the olives of August and September as soon as they commence falling, the larvæ at this time being inside the fruit, and the subsequent treatment, in the usual way of oil making, will accomplish its destruction.

Third, The instincts of this insect, as well as others of its kindred, to hover about a flame, can also be utilized as a factor in its extermination. Fires can be built among the trees about sunset, or may be carried in suitable vessels from place to place. Meanwhile the trees should be shaken to dislodge the insects and attract them to the light.

This last operation must be performed either the last of April, from the middle to the end of June, or from the last of September to the middle of October, when the insect is in its last phase as a moth.

This is perhaps the most injurious to the olive of all insects, on account of the facility with which it multiplies, and the damage it can cause in a brief period of time. We may also add that it is the most common, the most numerous and the most invincible of all its enemies.

The egg (Fig. 9) is ovoidal, elongated in form, and of a milky white color. Length about one-fortieth of an inch. The larva (Fig. 10, 10 a, 10 b,) is conical in form, elongated, and is composed