THE LESSER PEACH BORER. 41 



hymenopteriform aspect, but flyiii<>- in the bright suiiliglit the two 

 species are easily recognized after a little practice in observing them. 

 The sexes of the lesser peach borer are quite similar, but may be dis- 

 tinguished by one or tAvo minor secondary characters, such as the 

 simple antennc-c of the female and the more robust abdomen and 

 straight anal tuft. Probably the mosjt available secondary character, 

 however, is found in the frenidiun, wliich in the female consists of 

 two closely applied, long, and slender spines, while in the male it is 

 single and slightly shorter. This character is concealed by the front 

 wings. 



The adults emerge from the pupa.' in the morning hours, generally 

 between 7.30 and 9.30, the males issuing slightly earlier than the 

 females. They are more likely to issue on clear days, being somewhat 

 retarded by cloudy or inclement weather. At the time of ecdj^sis the 

 pupa, Avhich is projecting from the cocoon as described, commences 

 peristalsis-like movements of the abdominal segments, which after 

 several seconds cause the pupal integument to part rapidly along the 

 meson of the thorax and the sclerites of the head and wings. Almost 

 sinndtaneously with this ])arting of the pupal integument, the moth 

 begins to move forward and glides out, the forelegs holding to the 

 nearest object to prevent it from falling. The actual emergence re- 

 quires but a feAV seconds. At this time the moth is perfect but for 

 folded wings, and can move with a peculiar jerky, gliding motion 

 when it falls to the ground or is disturbed, but otherAvise it prefers to 

 remain motionless or to crawl to a convenient place. During the 

 unfolding of the wings, when the moth is weak and delicate, it is 

 probably in the most critical stage of its existence. If it falls, it is 

 likely to injure the soft wings and become crippled, in which case it 

 will almost certainly die a few hours later. The slightest injury at 

 this period appears to be fatal directly or indirectly. The wings 

 begin to swell at once and slowly expand, becoming normal after 

 about 8 to 10 minutes. After expansion, however, they are still 

 weak and unfit for use for at least another half hour. 



As soon as ready for flight, the female moves to a convenient place 

 and, taking position, begins to attract the males by elevating the end 

 of the abdomen and extending the ovipositor horizontally from it. 

 Xo perceptible odor is present. In badly infested orchards the males 

 \\ill begin to arrive after 3 or 4 minutes, or earlier, and soon a swarm 

 of a dozen or more will be humming around the female. The sexes 

 unite suddenh^; the male grasps the female with the claspers, and 

 then turning assumes the position normal to the Lepidoptera. Copu- 

 lation may last a variable time. Mr. J. H. Beattie, then connected 

 with this Bureau, observed a pair remain in copula for Go minutes 

 on August 10, 1905, at noon, and an observation made in the late sum- 

 mer of 1900 gave 58 minutes. In case the weather is unfavorable 



lOOiK)— Hull. (iS— 00 4 



