THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



263 



wings and body. The male moth has an average wing spread, in 

 specimens taken, of about two and one fourth inches. The general 

 color is darker than that of the other sex, Avith the anterior parts of tlie 

 hind A\dngs colored an orange red, the borders of Avhich are lined with 

 black. The protective coloration is very marked in this species. The 

 gray and brown checks of the wings so closely harmonize mth the rougli 

 bark of the oak, upon which it will be found while at rest, that the moTh 

 is easily overlooked unless a close examination is made. The moth.s 

 will be found flying throughout the summer. 



Distribution. Prionoxifstus rohinice has a very wide geographical 

 distribution, being reported from nearly all parts of the United States. 



Control. Numerous experiments have been made on the control of 

 this pest, among which have been the trapping of the adults, placing 



Fig. li. — The adult female carpenter worm, natural size 

 These moths possess a very decided protective coloration and 

 so closely harmonize with the bark of trees when at rest that 

 they are often overlooked by the collector. (Original.) 



of repellants to prevent the females from depositing eggs, and the 

 more drastic measure of cutting down the trees. These have all proven 

 of little value in saving trees that were considered priceless by the 

 owners. During the earlier stages in the growth of the larv£e the worms 

 may be destroyed by vigorous prodding about in the burrows with a 

 stiff wire, but later, as they work deeper into the heart wood of the 

 tree a wire is of little use in the maze of winding burrows. To reach 

 these worms in their deep burrows was a problem, and the use of 

 carbon bisulphide was hit upon. Its use has been tried in numerous 

 localities and the results are exceedingly satisfactory, if the solution is 

 applied with proper care and persistence. The author's experiments 

 M-ith this pest m the Santa Clara Valley on infested oaks have shown 

 that seriously infested trees may be saved by the continual application 

 ot this volatile liquid. 



