254 INSECTS INJUSIOTJS TO VEGETATION. 



succession of hatches, there is but one rotation of metamor- 

 phoses consummated within a year. Hence borers, of all 

 sizes, will be found in the trees throughout the year, although 

 it seems to be necessary that all of them, whether more or less 

 advanced, should pass through one winter before they appear 

 in the winged state. Under its last form, this insect is a slen- 

 der, dark blue, four-winged moth, having a slight resemblance 

 to a wasp or ichneumon-fly, to which it is sometimes likened. 

 The two sexes differ greatly from each other, so much so, as 

 to have caused them to be mistaken for two distinct species. 

 The male, which is much smaller than the female, has all the 

 wings transparent, but bordered and veined with steel-blue, 

 which is the general color of the body in both sexes; the palpi 

 or feelers, the edges of the collar, of the shoulder-covers, of the 

 rings of the abdomen, and of the brush on the tail, are pale 

 yellow, and there are two rings of the same yellow color on 

 the shins. It expands about one inch. The fore wings of the 

 female are blue, and opake, the hind wings transparent, and 

 bordered and veined like those of the male, and the middle of 

 the abdomen is encircled by a broad orange-colored belt. It 

 expands an inch and a half, or more. This insect does not 

 confine its attacks to the peach-tree. I have repeatedly ob- 

 tained both sexes from borers inhabiting the excrescences which 

 are found on the trunks and limbs of the cherry-tree; and 

 moreover, I have frequently taken them in connexion on the 

 trunks of cherry and of peach trees. They sometimes deposit 

 their eggs in the crotches of the branches of the peach-tree, 

 where the borers will subsequently be found; but the injury, 

 sustained by their operations in such parts, bears no comparison 

 to that resulting from their attacks at the base of the tree, 

 which they too often completely girdle, and thus cause its 

 premature decay and death. The following plan, which was 

 recommended by me in the year 1826, and has been tried with 

 complete success by several persons in this vicinity, will effec- 

 tually protect the neck, or most vital part of the tree, from 

 injury. Remove the earth around the base of the tTce, crush 

 and destroy the cocoons and borers which may be found in it, 

 and under the bark, cover the wounded parts with the common 



