Driving South on State Route 21 this week I noticed all of the fall color. Amazing hues of reds, oranges and yellows, the taste of fall in the air, wait a minute, isn’t this a bit early to see the fall colors? The Akron Beacon Journal had many notices about fall color venues debuting their guided tours early for fear that the regular schedule would leave many eager visitors wanting. So we all have conceded that fall seems a little early this year, this bums some while others are gathering their second wind to send 2012 out with a bang. Anticipating fall festivals, bon-fires, hayrides, pumpkin patches and of course harvesting apples.
Now we get to the good stuff – I was with a friend the other day discussing fall and all of its wonderment He told me that fall reminds him of being a kid and finding a worm in his apple. It was silly how we ooood and aaahhhd over the grossness of it. We laughed and made faces and just recalled the shear joy of being a kid and the reaction of finding a worm in your apple. He went on to explain as he grew up he was taught to check the skin of the apple for worm holes, therefore relieving him of any further worm hysteria. So I tried to break it to him gently.
Just because there is no wormhole does that negate the worm? What came first? The Apple or the Worm? For the majority of us who are saying “I spend enough time looking for Tommy’s left shoe or keeping the business together to find a minute to declare the existential nature of a worm”! It seems simple enough, just as my friend thought, to dismiss this, as of course, the apple became and the worm burrowed in, right? In some instances this is true and the Codling Moth is most likely the culprit. The Codling Moth lays its eggs on or near the fruit, the eggs hatch and the tiny worms seek out the best fruit to invade.
In this case the Apple has definitely won the position of FIRST.
Before you sigh a breath of relief – in another instance – The Worm Wins FIRST. This is the point where my friend became truly freaked out and told me I had to blog about this because people had to know! So me, being the non-worm expert that I am and finding this whole scenario brought on by the fact of trying to gross out a friend, went on the search for the mysterious Worm Houdini – Only he gets in not out.
Worm Houdini – His origins began as a lonely egg abandoned by his mother after drinking too much apple blossom nectar distracted her. Poor Worm Houdini, left within this fragrant blossom, trapped within the confines of the membranous shell holding him back from the world outside, what shall become of him? The apple begins to grow about him and he feels the pressure of this sweet fruit closing in on him rapidly – he is unsure of himself – unsure of this world he has found himself trapped within – He then realizes there is only one way out – eat or be eaten.
Yes, Worm Houdini lives on in the hearts of all of the Apple Blossoms that had not received their toxic dose of pesticide. Worm Houdini Receives the title of FIRST – In the Apple vs. Worm Saga II
For those wondering, Yes, Worm Houdini is a figment of my imagination as I was not able to place a name to the Moth or insect that lays its eggs in the blossom of the apple or other fruit trees. There is much information to be found about the lifecycle of this Moth though no other name was given. The facts are true, though the names have been changed to protect the Moths identity.
On behalf of Worm Houdini we are asking if you should have any information leading to his true identity or you know who his daddy is – please contact www.NEOhiogarden.com
The next time you see that red juicy apple – you just might think…Worm Houdini?
