AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 



119 



prevent the beetle from depositing eggs. Entomologists are agreed 

 that alkaline washes are the best. The following are cheap and 

 effective remedies : Reduce soft soap to the consistence of a thick 

 cream by adding a strong Tratery solution of washing soda. Lime 

 is sometimes used with the soap, and glue may be added to give 

 adhesiveness. A solution of soap and carbolic acid has been highl3^ 

 recommended. Whatever solution is used should be applied thor- 

 oughly to the base of the tree and to the trunk as high as the 

 crotches. The best time to make the application is during dry 

 warm weather, so the solution will thoroughly dry before a rain. 

 There should be two applications, one early in June and another 

 early in July. The solution may be applied with an old broom or a 

 whitewash brush. 



The natural enemies of this insect are few. Woodpeckers are 

 said to destroy them. 



THE FLAT-HEADED APPLE-TREE BORER. 



Chrysobothris femorata, (Fabr.) 



This pest is very common in Maine, and the injury attributed to 

 the round-headed borer is frequently due to it. 



It is a native of Amarica and besides being the worst borer affect- 

 ing'the apple tree, is known to attack the pear, plum, and peach ; also 

 the oak, box alder, hickories, and maples. It loves the light and 

 may frequently, be seen about the orchard on the trees. It is very 

 active and hard to catch, quickly taking wing. 



Fig. 2. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Perfect insect — A beetle variable in size but 

 usually about one-half inch long — oblong liat- 



tish is shape — of a dark, dull greenish color 



with a copper3' reflection — under side and legs 



brilliant copper}' color — feet green. On each 



wing case are two irregularly oblong impressed 



transversed spots of deeper copper color than 



the remainder of the wing, dividing the wing 



cases into nearl}' three equal portions. The 



upper surface appears as though sprinkled 



Chrjtobothris femorata, with an ash colorcd powdcr. The beetle 



Pabr. Flat-headed Apple-tree ,. i_j- u • / t^- ^ ct j \ 



borer; a, Urva; c, head of somcwhat enlarged IS shown in (tig. 2, a ) 



larva, underside; b, pupa; i, • 



be«tle. 



