128 



LONG HORNED BEETLES. 



a little heap ; this takes place especially in the spring of the year, 

 when, with frequent rains, the heaps become swollen by the ab- 

 sorption of moisture. On the approach of winter the larva 

 descends to the lower part of its burrow, where it doubtless re- 

 mains inactive until the following spring. 



"During the next season it attains about half its growth, 

 still living in the sap-wood, where it does great damage, and 

 when, as often happens, there are several of these borers in a 

 single tree, they will sometimes cause its dea'th by completely 

 girdling it. After another winter's rest, the larva again becomes 



Fig. 133. — Saperda Candida, Fab.— After Division of Entomology, U. S. Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture. 



active, and towards the end of the following season, when ap- 

 proaching maturity, it cuts a cylindrical passage upwards, vary- 

 ing in length, in'to the solid wood, afterwards extending it out- 

 ward to the bark, sometimes cutting entirely through the tree, 

 at other times turning back at different angles. The upper 

 part of the cavity is then filled with a sawdust-like powder, 

 after which the larva returns to the part nearest the heart of 

 the tree, which portion it enlarges by tearing off the fibers, with 

 which it carefully and securely closes the lower portion of its 

 gallery, so as to protect it thoroughly from the approach of 

 enemies at either end. Having thus perfected its arrange- 



