■>•> THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



ON THE LARVA OF THE PEACH BORER. 

 ( Egeria Exitiosa. ) 



BY W. SAUNDERS, LONDON, ONT. 



The accompanying figure, No. n, is a faithful representation of the 

 larva of the Peach tree Borer, an insect which in some localities is so 



injurious and abundant as to sadly interfere with 

 successful peach culture. The grub from which 

 this woodcut was prepared was found in com- 

 xo. 11. pany with several others early in March, in some 



(rummy matter lying on the soil immediately surrounding a peach tree. 

 One, which was somewhat smaller than the rest, was dug out of its bored 

 channel in the tree, where it was still feeding. 



The following description will, we hope, enable any one to distinguish 

 thus pest beyond doubt when it is met with : 



Its head is of a medium size, with a depressed line down the centre 

 dividing it into two lobes. It has a triangular piece inserted in the middle, 

 with its base towards the mouth, and its apex terminating just under the 

 anterior edge of the second segment. The head is also flattened, and of 

 a reddish color, becoming darker, almost black, on its anterior edge. The 

 jaws are black and prominent. 



The body above is of a dull pale yellow, with the segments or rings of 

 the body rather deeply cut. The second segment is of a pale reddish 

 brown color, smooth and horny looking. On each segment there are a 

 few minute pale reddish dots, from which arise short reddish or brownish 

 hairs — those along the sides and on the posterior extremity being some- 

 what longer. A faint line runs along each side through the stigmata or 

 breathing pores of a paler shade than the rest of the body. The stigmata 

 are small, nearly round, and of a dull reddish color. 



The under surface is very similar in color to the upper. The feet are 

 tipped with reddish brown, and theprolegs are pale yellow, with the fringe 

 of hooks, crowning each of a dark reddish brown. 



The grub becomes a chrysalis early in the spring, from which the wasp- 

 like moth is produced late in June or early in July, which, soon after pair- 

 ing, lays its eggs on the bark of the trunk of the tree, near its base. Here 

 the young grubs, as soon as hatched, e.it their way to the inner bark, and 

 commence their work of destruction. 



To prevent the moths from depositing their eggs, some recommend 



