422 



INJURIOUS AND BENEFICIAL INSECTS OF CALIFORNIA. 



THE CALIFORNIA PEACH BORER 



Mgetia opalescens II. Edwards (Family iEgeriidflp) 236 

 [Sanninoidca opalescens (H. Edwards)] 



(Figs. 430-432) 



Description. — The moths are nearly 1 inch in length with a some- 

 what greater wing expanse. They greatly resemble wasps in colora- 

 tion and shape, the clear areas in the wings adding to the deception. 

 The color is steel-blue, the fringes of the wings and appendages are 

 jet black, the legs fringed with white tufts. The females have a bronzy 



Fig. 430. — Larva of the California peach borer, ffigeria 

 opalescens H. Edw., and work on a young peach tree. Nat- 

 ural size. (Original) 



hue with the fore wings entirely covered with dark scales. The 

 dark-brown eggs are depressed on the sides and one end. The full- 

 grown larvse are white or dusky in color with brown heads and attain 

 a length of from 1 to H inches. The pupa? are light brown and are 

 found in the bark or around the bases of the trees. 



Life History. — The eggs are always laid on the lower part of the 

 trunks of the trees, a few inches above the surface of the soil. Thev 



