U. R. D. A., B. E. Bui. 6S, Part IV. D. F. I. I., October IV. 1907. 



PAPERS ON DECIDUOUS FRUIT INSECTS AND INSECTICIDES. 



THE LESSER PEACH BORER. 



(tSifiiaiithcdDii i)ictii)vs (J. & II.) 



By A. A. GiKAULT. 

 Engaged in Deciduous Fruit Insect Investit/ations. 



INTRODUCTION. 



Until recently the only lepidopterous oorer of the peach known to 

 be common and injurious in the East was the peach borer {Sanni- 

 noidea exitio,sa Say), an insect well known to entomologists and fruit 

 growers alike. About ten years ago — in 1890 — however, another 

 somewhat similar borer, the subject of this paper, now" called the 

 lesser peach borer, was mentioned by Webster as " the peach borer," 

 and again, four years later. Smith recorded it as being sometimes 

 found on the peach in Xew Jersey, though apparently it was not con- 

 sidered a pest of any importance. It was with some surprise that, 

 in the investigation of the peach borer by this Bureau during the past 

 two years, this insect was discovered to be very al^undant on peach in 

 Maryland and Georgia, and also to a le.ss extent in Avestern Xew York 

 and adjacent portions of Canada, occurring especially in the trunks 

 of old or diseased trees. At first the hirva was confused with that 

 of the peach borer, but dissimilarities iu its habits soon led to its 

 recognition, Avhich was confirmed upon rearing adults. Aside from 

 its being a practically unrecognized enemy of the peach, the insect is 

 of interest from the fact that it has heretofore evidently been more or 

 less confused with the true peach l)()rer, to which the larva bears great 

 resemblance in general apj^earauce. In subsequent pages there is 

 given as complete an account of the s]:)ecies as is possible at this date. 



HISTORY. 



Up to the year lOOG the species under consideration had not been 

 treated as an in.sect of special economic importance. Previous to 

 this time it had been known mostly as occurring on the |)lum aud 



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