TWIG-BEETLES. 71 



fifth of an inch long, black, with a large reddish spot at the base 

 of each wing-cover, as indicated in the illustration (Fig. 78). 

 The thorax is also furnished with elevated points and short 

 spines in front ; the wing-covers are roughened with dots, and 

 appear to be cut off obliquely behind ; the outer edge of this 

 declivity is furnished with three teeth on each side. 



The larva bores into the stems of grape-vines, and sometimes 

 into the twigs of apple and peach. It is a much wrinkled grub, 

 yellowish-white, with swollen anterior segments, three pairs of 

 short legs, a small head, and an arched body. The pupa is 

 formed inside the burrow, and is of a pale-yellowish color. 



The onlv remedv is to remove and burn infested canes and 



Fig. 78. — Sinoxylon basilnre Say. After Filey. 



twigs. Several other related beetles have been reported as being 

 injurious to orchards, but none of them are found in our state. 

 Others, which do not cause any injury to the plants themselves, . 

 but to the posts to which the canes of raspberries, grapes, and 

 other plants are tied, might be mentioned, as fruit-growers are 

 sometimes molested by them. 



Beetles belonging to the genera oi'Bostry chits and Lyctits de- 

 stroy old and dry wood. The latter especially are sometimes 

 very abundant, and their presence may be recognized by the 

 large amount of exceedingly fine dust that gathers at the base 

 of such posts. 



The beetles themselves are very seldom seen in large num- 

 bers on the infested posts, but if we cut open one of them appar- 

 ently still solid, we find it entirely honey-combed inside. Even 

 such exceedingly drv and hard substances as hoe-handles made 



