THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 233 



full-grown. They remain in the larval or pupal stage throughout the 

 winter and emerge as adult beetles early in the spring and attack many 

 kinds of vegetation. 



Distribution. — This beetle seems to be most abundant in the San 

 Joaquin Valley and more particularly to the southern part. It is 

 also found in the southern part of the State. 



Food Plants. — The usual food appears to be the young buds and 

 older foliage of rose bushes, which often suffer greatly from the 

 attacks. As early as 1893 it has been known to do considerable damage 

 to the buds and leaves of grapevines. Occasionally large areas of 

 vineyards are completely stripped. Last year considerable damage 

 was done in Madera County. It also feeds upon greasewood. 



Control. — The larval and pupal forms are found in the soil, espe- 

 cially in unplowed pastures and places around fences, ditches, etc. 

 Thorough cultivation of these places will not only kill the young then 

 present, but will keep the adults from laying eggs there. Poison 

 sprays applied when the beetles begin to appear in considerable num- 

 bers and repeated every week will aid materially in saving the buds 

 and foliage. Jarring the beetles into a suitable receptacle containing 

 oil may also prove effective, especially if only small areas are badly 

 infested. 



THE BROAD-NECKED BORER. 



Prionus laticollis Drury (Family Cerambycidse). 

 (Fig. 230.) 



General Appearance. — The adult beetles are very large, attaining 

 a length of from one and one fourth to two inches. The color is very 

 dark brown. The larva3 or grubs are exceedingly large, yellowish 

 white with small reddish-brown head and 

 a pale bluish line down the body. 



Life History.— The life history of this 

 insect has not been fully known. Adults 

 appear late in summer about July and 

 August, and give rise to the destructive 

 larvas which bore into the roots and trunks 

 of trees and vines and work just beneath 

 the bark. Their presence can only be 

 ascertained after much harm has been done 

 and the sap begins to run from the burrows. 

 "When full-grown the larvse pupate within 

 their burrows. The winter is passed in the ^ ^^«- 230.— The broad-necked 



^ borer, Prionus laticollis Drury. 



larval stage, pupation not occurring until (u. s. Dept. Agrci.) 

 early summer, the adults emerging as indicated above. 



Distribution. — Found in nearly all parts of the State, but has caused 

 damage in the southern part in particular. 



