234 HALF HOUES WITH INSECTS. [Packard. 



the larva of Euchroma columbica, from Central America). 

 It Avill be noticed that the body is broad and flattened 

 just behind the hard, horny head, while behind the en- 

 largement the body becomes narrow and cylindrical. It 

 thus bores broad, shallow grooves between the bark and 

 the solid wood, consuming the sap wood, the vital part of 

 the tree. 



Our largest and most abundant borer of this group is the 

 Chalcophora Virginiensis. It is an inch or more in length, 

 the body rough and hard and dark steel brown, with a brassy 

 or coppery hue. It may be observed flying about on hot 

 days in May and June, or sunning itself on the trunks of 

 pine trees. 



The grub forms a long, shallow groove, more or less ser- 

 pentine in its course. As the young borer grows its track 

 increases in width, which is stufl'ed with chips finely packed 

 behind it. Finally when fully grown and ready to transform 

 it bores a large oval hole deep in the wood, where the insect 

 reposes during its pupal sleep. The insect lives one year 

 as a larva. 



Another species (C liberta) is rather smaller, but very 

 similar to the Virginian Chalcopliora, and when at rest 

 resembles the young fruit cones. The beetle itself eats the 

 3'oung buds of the pine. Pine saplings are much injured 

 by the larval Chrysobothris, which girdles the trunks and 

 branches. 



When passing, in our strolls among the pines, some vet- 

 eran tree whose days of usefulness have departed, and which 

 already show signs of deca}^, our ears are often saluted with 

 a harsh creaking noise issuing from the tree. The strain is 

 intermittent and sometimes several voices join in a chorus 

 of harsh, crepitant sounds. It is difficult at first to fix upon 

 the exact site of the choristers, but on pulling off a piece of 

 the bark, out tumble two or three large shining white worms, 

 which tell the story. They are the young of the common 



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