113 



d. lurida — Fabr. 



This species so closely resembles D. divaricata that it is difficult to 

 distinguish one from the other. This is rather darker than the for- 

 mer, and of a less brilliant metalic lustre ; the black points on the 

 elytra more numerous; the tapering portion of the wing-cases not so 

 elongate; the tips, which are blunter, are each furnished with two 

 little spines which point backward. Length, from half to five-eighths 

 of an inch ; width, about one-third the length. 



The larva? of this species appear to confine their operations to the 

 .hickory, in which they burrow ; but, as a general rule, I think such 

 trees only are infested by them as are already in a state of decay. 



I am not aware that either of these species of Dicerca have proven 

 injurious to any considerable extent in this State. If they should 

 become troublesome hereafter, I presume the remedies applicable to 

 C. femorata would apply with similar effect to them. 



The following method of preventing the ravages of borers is given 

 by T. J. Ford in the Rural Alabamian : 



"You recommend the frequent washing of apple trees with strong 

 soap-suds, to prevent the ravages of the borer. Now, this may be 

 very well, but, in my opinion, it is far from the only and cheapest 

 means by which we may safely combat this predaceous enemy. 



" As soon as an apple tree attains the age of two or three years, the 

 trunk, and finally the larger branches, become literally enveloped in 

 some kind of an adnascent fungus or foreign deposit. It is beneath 

 these fungi, and immediately in contact with the bark, that the 

 beetle deposits her eggs, which soon hatch and immediately commence 

 their work of devastation. This mischief is continued from one to 

 three years, according to the species, unless they are destroyed by 

 man, or that despised, though the best of farmers' friends, the sap- 

 sucker. 



" Now, the beetle never deposits her eggs on a smooth trunk or limb, 

 but deep and securely beneath the deposits above named. The only 

 object to be accomplished by washing the trees with soap-suds is to 

 remove this deposit. The alkali thus left on the tree has nothing to 

 do in preventing the beetle from depositing her eggs. It is true this 

 application fnay be beneficial in some slight degree to the tree, but 

 not of sufficient importance to recommend its adoption. 



" Experience has convinced me that anything that will remove this 

 deposit from the trunk of the tree is equally as efficacious as soap-suds. 

 Indeed, all a person has to do is to examine his trees carefully in 

 early spring, and where he finds this deposit the thickest, and especi- 

 ally when it has assumed a dark or greenish appearance, to remove it 

 the easiest way he can. A common table knife answers a good pur- 

 pose, coarse sand paper is excellent, and a very stiff brush does the 

 work most efficiently, and without this precaution it is folly to expect 

 apples, especially on old trees that are worthy of the name." 



Spec. char. Imago.— Very similar to the preceding species; is rather 



darker above, being a dark, dull, brassy color; the black spots on the 



elytra more numerous ; the thorax not so closely punctured, and 



smoother, yet apparently very finely granulated. The elytra are not 



e— 8 



