NOTES OF VARIOUS INSECT ATTACKS. 



A Saw-fly Attack upon Pear-trees. 



Mr. S. D. Willard, of the Hammond Nurseries, Geneva, N. Y., sends, 

 under date of ]\Iay 29th, examples of a saw-fly, the larvae of which 

 were proving very injurious to the tender leaves of young pear-trees, 

 just as they were commencing their growth. The examples were in 

 very poor condition, having been almost destroyed in their capture. 

 They were sent to Mr. E. Norton, of Farmington, Conn., in the hope 

 that they would be recognized by him, but he was only able to refer 

 them, with some doubt, to Fn'sfop/iora, allied to grossularice, but proba- 

 bly an undescribed species. Some of the young larvae were subse- 

 quently received, but they came in too poor condition to permit of their 

 being carried to maturity. A later request for additional larvae (June 

 1 2th), could not be complied with, as they had all been killed by an 

 application of hellebore. 



Peach-tree Attacks. 



A correspondent sends the following communication containing in- 

 quiries of insects attacking his peach-trees: 



Is there no remedy against the peach-tree borer except getting it out 

 of the roots with a wire ? I have been caused much trouble by this 

 pest, the trunks of my peach-trees being terribly cut and scarified 

 from just under the earth down into the roots. It is laborious in the 

 extreme to cut them out two or three times a year; for it is next to im- 

 possible to get them all at the first trial. How w^ould an application of 

 coal-oil do ? Would it kill the tree ? Will ashes spread around keep 

 the insect from laying the eggs ? 



In addition to the grub or borer, which is a fat white worm, half an 

 inch in length, with a brown head, and which is found snugly ensconced 

 under the bark after being followed through his various meanderings, I 

 find numbers of fine, white, thread-like worms, of all lengths, from a 

 quarter of an inch to an inch. They also seem to be doing injury, but 

 are found behind the grub in the soft sticky wood. I also find the com- 

 mon earth-worm imbedded in this part of the tree, but think that the 

 latter may be attracted by the moisture caused by the sap exuding from 

 the wounds, and intends no harm. Am I right ? Is not the worm 

 found in peaches and caused by curculio, almost exactly like this borer 

 of the bark ? Please be kind enough to tell me something of the habits 

 of the two beetles, when the eggs are laid, etc. 



