226 Peach-Growing 



Appearance of lesser borer. 



Though the lesser peach-tree borer is quite easily distin- 

 guished by the entomologists from the common and the Cali- 

 fornia peach-tree borer, its resemblance to these two species 

 both in the adult and larval stages is close enough so that the 

 casual observer may easily mistake one for the other. The 

 wasp-like appearance of the adults, with wings more or less 

 transparent, characterizes this as well as the other two species. 



Distribution. 



According to King ^ it occurs throughout practically the 

 entire country east of the Great Plains area. In some 

 sections it causes considerable injury. 



Life history and habits. 



While the life history does not correspond in all particu- 

 lars with that of the other borers discussed, the differences 

 are unimportant from the standpoint of control. Instead 

 of working at and below the crown of the tree, they occur 

 under the bark and in wounded areas on the trunk and upper 

 branches, the attacks being confined almost entirely to 

 diseased and injured areas. Such areas as are caused by 

 sun-scald, mechanical injuries, and the sharply angular 

 crotches with roughened surfaces are typical places of en- 

 trance for the larvae. 



Methods of control. 



The digging-out method advised for other borers is the 

 most effective means of control. The "worming" should 

 be done at the same; times as for the common peach-tree 

 borer, that is, in October or November and in early spring. 



1 Ohio Exp. Sta. Bull. 307, 



