INSECTS ATTACKING LARGE FRUITS. 71 



during the night, it retires to the small branches among the dense foli- 

 age, for a cover, and is very sluggish. 



6. It infests the apple, pear, cherry, plum, quince, white maple, ■wil- 

 low, ash, tulip, and strawberry bush, and there is some evidence that 

 the elm and Cottonwood are being attacked by it. 



The young larva, soon hatching from the eggs in the crevices of 

 the bark, eats its way through the outer bark, continues for some 

 time feeding just beneath the surface, leaving a flattened burrow 

 filled with its sawdust-like castings. A single borer oftentimes 

 girdles a young tree. The larva soon burrows deeper, and feeds 

 on the inner sap-wood. While feeding beneath the bark, the 

 presence of the larva is fairly apparent on examination, and it 

 is at this time (in September and October) that much can be 

 done toward ridding the trees of the pests. 



The mature larva is a pale yellow, footless grub, with its ante- 

 rior end greatly enlarged and flattened. When ready to pupate, 

 the larva gnaws its way out from the sap-wood and partially 

 through the bark. Here, in about three weeks, it changes to the 

 adult or perfect beetle, which gnaws its way through the remainin'g 

 covering of bark and escapes. The transformations of this in- 

 sect are thought to take place in a year, (differing in this from the 

 Round-headed Borer,) but this is not known with certainty. 



Remedies. — As for the Round-headed Apple-tree Borer. 



Several hymenopterous parasites attack this pest ; woodpeckers 

 seek out the larvse and eat them. 



The report of the Douglas County Horticultural Society com- 

 mittee of entomology, previously referred to, included several 

 recommendations of remedial measures. I quote from the report 

 as follows : 



In view of the foregoing facts, your committee would recommend 

 that all such varieties of trees found liable to the attacks of this insect 

 should be planted in the spring as early as the ground can be placed in 

 suitable condition to receive them; and to facilitate early planting, fall 

 plowing and preparation is advisable; that vigorous trees, carefully dug 

 so as to preserve a large amount of the roots, be obtained in the fall and 

 properly trenched in upon the premises, handy for planting. As soon as 

 set, remove a large portion of the last year's growth. Mulch the ground 

 for the space of two feet around — three or four feet would be better — 

 and wrap the bodies with some cheap material, as newspapers, hay, or 

 old rags. Plant no crops among them which will prevent constant and 

 thorough cultivation of the ground, and especially leave ample room 

 on each side of the rows for the free use of the plow without endanger- 

 ing the roots or chafing the bodies and branches. This care in plant- 



