280 



FRUIT INSECTS 



sap into their burrows (Fig. 

 242), but continued at- 

 tacks will in time so weaken 

 the tree that the females 

 are able to gain a foothold 

 and deposit their eggs. On 

 cherries a peculiar injury 

 is often noticed in mid- 

 summer. The short spurs 

 bearing the clusters of 

 leaves are attacked by a 

 beetle, which eats out a 

 short burrow apparently 

 for food only, since eggs 

 are never found in these 

 burrows, and they are soon 

 deserted. The dead leaves 

 remain on the branch for 

 some time and call atten- 

 tion to the injury. 

 Treatment. 



To avoid an infestation by bark beetles the trees should be 

 kept in a vigorous condition by proper cultivation, pruning and 



Fig. 242. — Fruit-tree bark-beetle killed 

 by gum while attempting to enter a healthy- 

 peach tree for egg-laying. Enlarged. 



Fig. 243. 



Gum exuding from a peach branch infested with the fruit-tree 

 bark-beetle. 



spraying, for the beetles are not able to breed in healthy, strongly 

 growing trees or branches. All trees in too poor condition to 

 be of commercial value should be removed before they become 



