AMERICAN ENTOMOLOGY. 37 



of the species are very unlike each other. In the present in- 

 stance, the difference is so great, as to render it difficult to con- 

 struct a good common specific character. 



We are indebted to Mr. James "Worth, a zealous and careful 

 observer, for the principal part of the accurate information which 

 we possess relative to this formidable insect. The following ob- 

 servations are extracted from a valuable essay, by that gentleman, 

 published in the volume quoted above. 



The egg deposited on the side of a glass tumbler, was oblong- 

 oval, dull yellow, and so small as to be only just discernible by 

 the naked eye. Excepting in a state of confinement, he never 

 saw the female at rest, but in one instance, when she was perched 

 on a leaf, which may possibly be the usual place of deposit, 

 though he is inclined to believe that it is made on some part of 

 the trunk of the tree. The larva is of a white color, the head 

 being reddish-brown. It is somewhat difficult to ascertain the 

 early movements of the larva, in consequence of its small size ; 

 but its destructive career certainly commences about the last of 

 September, or early in October, by its entering the tree probably 

 through the tender bark under the surface of the soil ; after hav- 

 ing passed through the bark, it proceeds downwards into the root, 

 and finally turns its course towards the surface, where it arrives 

 about the commencement of the succeeding July. 



Having attained to its full growth, the larva enters the pupa 

 state, between the first and middle of July ; enveloped in its fol- 

 licle, it may then be readily discovered close to the trunk, sur- 

 rounded by the gum which oozes from the wound. The pupa 

 state continues from the tenth of July to the latter part of that 

 month, or beginning of August. 



Mr. Worth examined his fruit trees on the tenth of July, when 

 he obtained twenty follicles, and about thirty larvae ; of the folli- 

 cles, four were empty, the insect having assumed the wing state. 

 The larvae had all arrived near the surface of the ground, for the 

 purpose of undergoing their great change. 



Against the depredations of this insect, many supposed reme- 

 dies have been prescribed, such as the application of hot water, 

 tanner's bark, and flower of sulphur, to the root of the tree, and 

 soft soap and lime-wash to the trunk ; but it is obvious, that no 

 application of this kind can injure the insect, without coming in 



