44 



channels formed by the larvae through the crown 

 and larger roots of the plant soon cause it to wither 

 and die; or, if it survives, to send up weakened and 

 almost barren shoots. This insect does not limit its 

 depredations to the strawberry; the larvae is also 

 found boring into the tender twigs of the peach tree 

 and killing the terminal buds. 



In the figure I have a representation of the larvae 

 and moth, both of the natural size and enlarged; 

 also of an injured peach twig. 

 Figiue No. 26. This luscct is kuown to attack the peach tree in 



Europe, whence it has probably been imported to this country. 



It is seen that the insect is subject to parasites. This may account for 

 its disappearance in localities, and then again its presence; although the 

 tendency seems to be that it is gradually spreading over the State. In 

 several localities it has been so bad that half of the peach crop was infested. 

 In Dr. Chapin's report of 1883, Mr. W. H. Tucker, of Folsom, is made 

 the authority for the statement that it has been observed for sixteen years 

 in Pleasant and Vaca Valleys. Five years ago it was first noticed on 

 the University grounds. Young growing apricot shoots were found with- 

 ering at the ends, and upon examination the larvae were found in them. 

 All the branches showing these signs were cut off and burned. After care- 

 ful search I found only two branches the next season, and since then they 

 have not been seen here. Evidently parasites must greatly have helped 

 us, otherwise we should never have been so easily rid of the pest. The 

 peach moth requires more study before it will be possible to indicate the 

 best line of defense against it. The larvaj are found under the bark of the 

 tree, but from its habits as a root borer it is plain that some of them must 

 harbor in the ground. It will be well to clear the trees of all of their rough 

 bark in winter. In the spring all young twigs showing their presence by 

 wilting should be removed and burned. Where the insect has not yet 

 been known, the strictest caution should be observed against bringing any 

 fruit boxes from sections known to be infested. 



CHAPTER IV. 



MOTH LARVA BORING IN THE WOOD, TWIGS, AND ROOTS. 



California peach root borer— Remedies for— Strawberry root borer— European currant 

 borer. 



CALIFORNIA PEACH ROOT BORER. 



Sannania Pacifica (Riley). 



My first information of this new pest came from Mr. John Britton, quar- 

 antine guardian for Santa Clara County, who sent me, under date of May 

 twenty-second, chrysalids and larva, and a mutilated specimen of a female; 

 mentioning in his letter that this borer had killed a number of trees and 

 that a number of orchards were affected. In his company I visited, some 

 days after, the locality, a couple of miles southeast of San Jose, and satis- 

 fied myself about the dangerous character of this insect. Some two weeks 

 after, in the month of June, I visited the infested orchards again, in com- 



