27 



its cylindrical and more symmetrical shape, as is apparent from the accompanying figure 

 fFig. 3). The larva is shown at a, the pupa or chrysalis at h, the perfect beetle at r. 



The perfect insect (to quote from onr Report for 1870) makes its appearance in June 

 and July, but is seldotn seen, as it usually remains in concealment during the day, and 



flies only at night. The females 

 deposit their eggs upon the 

 bai k of the tree near the base 

 of the trunk, or collar as it is 

 termed. From the eggs are 

 soon hatched out tiny whitish 

 grubs, which penetrate the 

 bark and leave a hole so 

 minute that it soon closes up. 

 For the first year the grub 

 ff feeds only upon the sap-wood, 



Fig. 3. in which it excavates a round 



smooth cavity immediately beneath the bark, generally nearly filled, when opened, with the 

 sawdust-like castings of the worm. These castings may very frequently be observed extruded 

 from the burrow and on the ground at the base of the tree ; whenever tht-y are noticed 

 search should at once be made for the borer within. As this borer does not occur in any 

 part of Canada in which we have resided, we have had but little opportunity of investigating 

 its habits, we therefore quote the following excellent account from our friend Mr. Beadle's 

 Prize Essay on the Apple (/V)«i Growers' Report, 1868, p. 172): "When the grub has 

 become about half-grown it ceases to cast the dust out of its cavity, and ])roceeds to fill it up, 

 at the same time boring a passage or gallery upwards into the heart of the tree. This gal- 

 lery is continued upwards, of varying length, sometimes not more than two inches, and 

 sometimes twelve inches, and is gradually brought outwards again to the bark of the tree, 

 but not through it. When the grub has completed this gallery, it turns round and returns 

 to that part which is nearest to the heart of the tree ; this part it now enlarges by tearing 

 off the fibre from the walls, and with this fibre carefully and .securely closes the entrance, so 

 that if some insect enemy should find its way through the hole in the bark at the collar into 

 the chamber where it passed the first part of its life, that enemy could not enter the gallery 

 to its present abode. Meanwhile it crowds its saw-dust like casting.s into the upper ex- 

 tremity of the gallery against the bark, thus, at the same time, diminishing the danger of 

 attack from that quarter, and keeping its chamber tidy. Having thus perfected its arrani;e- 

 ments, it again turns round so as to have its head upward, passes the winter in a torpid 

 state, and in the spring casts off its skin and becomes a pupa, from which in June the 

 perfect insect hatches, climbs to the upper end of the gallery, tears away the fine sawdu.st, 

 gnaws a hole through the bark and creeps forth." When severalofthe.se borers are at work 

 in the same tree, their excavations approach each other so closely as often to girdle the tree 

 and cause its destruction. 



Manv modes have been proposed for the destruction of this noxious insect, some of them 

 essentially absurd, such as plugging up the holes in the trees which are made by the beetle 

 when taking his departure from the .scene of his early life, after he has finished his work of 

 mischief The simplest and most effectual remedies are: i\) the application of soap 

 (cold made soft soap is especially recommended) to the trunk o! the tree early in June 

 and again in July ; nih it well over, especially near the base of the trunk, and place a 

 portion in the fork of the tree that it may be washed down into the crevices of the bark 

 by the rains. (2) If the borer has already taken up his abode in the tree, cut into his 

 burrows with a sharp knife and get Idni out ; liis presence may generally be detected near 

 the collar of the tree by the discolouration of the bark and by the sawdust castings. This 

 is the most effectual, and by no means difficult remedy ; much benefit, lowever, may also 

 be derived from wa.shing this part of the tree with lye, or any strong alkaline solution, which 

 will penetrate the interstices of the bark and kill any young grubs that may be com- 

 mencing to make their way inwards. The trees should be carefully examined- -especially 

 if young and not long planted out — at different times during the year, as well as in the 

 Spring. 



