Minnesora State HorricvLtTvraL Sociery. | 47 
ation, during midsummer, This is the larva of one of our most common and 
handsomest butterflies, called, on account of a silvery, comma-shaped mark on 
the under side of the hind wings, the ‘‘Comma butterfly”’ (Grapta progne. Cram.) 
The chrysalis is suspended by the tail, is rather rugged-looking, of a brown color, 
prettily ornamented with silver spots. 
Besides these worms that feed upon the leaves, the currant bush is subject to 
the attacks of two borers, which bore the stems and are sometimes so numerous 
as to kill out the plant. The first of these is an imported pest that has spread 
generally over the United States. It is a little clear-winged moth very much 
resembling a small wasp. This insect lays its eggs in the axils of the buds, and 
the little white grubs upon hatching penetrate the stems, and burrow up and 
down until they (the stems) are completely hollowed out. Before entering the 
 chrysalis state the grub cuts a passage through the bark, leaving only their outer 
skin to cover the hole. This the moth when ready to come out easily breaks 
through. The second, and quite as destructive borer, is the larva of a small, 
narrow, brown beetle with a broad, oblique, yellowish band, above which is q | 
white spot on the middle of each wing. The larva is footless, and feeds upon 
the pith of the stalks, thus killing them. The most sure semedy for these borers 
is to cut out the dead stalks, containing the pupe, during winter, and burn them. 
R. J. MENDENHALL. 
DISCUSSION. 
After the reading the following discussion was held: 
Mr. Grimes. I move the report be placed on file’for publication. 
The motion was carried. 
Currant Borer. 
Mr. Fuller. I have found many branches of currants hollow, 
and following up the stem have found a grub. 
My. Dart. Would like to know if any variety is more subject to 
these borers than others. Have had the Cherry, and found that 
more subject to them. 
Mr. Smith. The Cherry and Versailles are both more subject. 
Mr, Elliot. All plants that are not perfectly hardy and vigorous, 
are more subject to insects than those that are. 
Grape Bud Borer. 
Mr. Harris. A cea Bide beetle goes to work and eats out the 
buds of grapes. If numerous enough they will kill the vines. 
They sometimes go into the apple trees. Haye eaten the buds from 
three Duchess trees. The only way known to destroy it is to shake 
down into a basin and pinch between the fingers. 
