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PiCARD (F.). Les insectes du figuier. [Insect pests of the fig]— 

 Progres Agric. Vitic, Montpellier, Ixii, no. 36, 6th September 

 1914, pp. 279-286, 1 pi. 



The chief insect enemies of the fig are the beetles Hypoborus Jicus, 

 Sinoxylon sexdentatum, Hesperophanes cinereus, Morirmis {funereus) 

 tristis, Haplocnemia (Mesosa) curculionoides ; the Lepidopteron, 

 Heynerophila {Simaethis) nemorana ; and the Coccids, Ceroplastes rusci 

 and Lepidosaphes idmi (Mytilaspis conchiformis). Hypoborus ficiis is 

 peculiar to the fig and very common in the South of France, but 

 rarely found in the north. In the south the adult hibernates until the 

 middle or end of March. The female attacks the smaller branches, 

 boring through the bark, and excavates a gallery in the wood in which 

 she oviposits. There is much variation in the galleries of H. jicus, 

 which differs in this respect from most other Scolytids, which are 

 recognisable from the character of their burrows. The larva bores a 

 winding gallery under the bark and pupates in the sapwood, the adult 

 emerging after piercing the bark forming the roof of the pupal chamber. 

 There are three generations yearly in the south. The last adults 

 appear in October or November and then hibernate. H. jicus does 

 not attack perfectly vigorous branches, as the eggs would be drowned 

 in the abundant sap, but only branches previously weakened by other 

 causes. If, however, infestation is severe, the numerous bore-holes 

 promote evaporation and healthy branches may be attacked. H. jicus 

 has many enemies, including the beetles, Laemophlaeus hypobori and 

 Nemosoma elongatum, besides parasitic Hymenoptera, especially 

 Braconids. Fig trees should only be planted in deep soil, sufficiently 

 well watered to enable them to resist even a prolonged drought. All 

 infested branches and broken twigs should be destroyed. Sinoxylon 

 sexdentatum is nearly as abundant as H. jicus. The adult Bostrychid 

 enters small branches about two-fifths of an inch in diameter, the 

 point of entry usually being a bud. The female bores parallel to the 

 axis of the branch, and lays her eggs in the gallery. The larvae 

 excavate passages leading off it, the branch being eventually hollowed 

 out and reduced to dust. In the South of France two generations 

 occur annually. This species also attacks the vine, especially in 

 Languedoc, also the olive, mulberry, chestnut, acacia, evergreen oak, 

 etc. S. sexdentafus increases less rapidly than Hypoborus, and is 

 therefore less injurious. Its coleopterous foes include the Histerid 

 Teretrius, and the Clerids, Denops, Tillus and Opilo, besides the Acarid, 

 Pedicidoides ventricosus, and among the Hymenoptera, the Bethylid 

 Cephalonomyia jonnicijormis and the Braconid Monolexis lavagnei. 

 Other less known Bostrychid pests of the fig are X^jlonites retusus and 

 A''. 2>?'«eHs^ws. They both prefer dead wood for oviposition, and 

 have not the economic importance of S. sexdentatus. All these 

 Bostrychids may be combated in the same way as Hypoborus. 

 Hesperophanes cinereus attacks many non-resinous trees, in which 

 its larva bores deep galleries. In the north it is rare, and is found 

 in the poplar, the oak and sometimes in the willow. In the 

 south this Longicorn is more common and shows a preference for 

 the fig, of which the larger branches and trunk are sometimes riddled 

 in all directions. As these galleries are driven through the central 

 zone of the wood and not through the functional portions, the tree 



