TOMICUS BIDENTATUS. 



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ground in March. These should be examined in June, and 

 those containing larvae should be burned. 



iii. All young plants which may be attacked and which may 

 be recognised by the reddening of the needles, should be pulled 

 up in June and burned. 



6. Tomicus (Pityogenes) bidentatus, Herbst. 



a. Description. 



Beetle 2 to 3 mm. long ; pitchy-black, somewhat shining, 

 with fine hairs ; antennae and legs ferruginous. Thorax con- 



Tomicus bidentatus, Hbst. 



stricted in front, and rather deeply punctate behind, with a 

 smooth median elevated line. Elytra with rows of punctures, 

 impressed towards the sides only, apical excavation somewhat 

 deep in the $ , with a single strong hooked tooth on each 

 side ; in the ? the declivity is impressed on either side of the 

 suture, and the teeth are reduced to inconspicuous tubercles. 



I. Life-history. 



The ? lays her eggs in May and June in Scots pine woods, 

 on young plants, poles, branches, and on refuse on felling 

 areas. The pairing chamber is often furnished with short 

 prolongations which are breeding galleries commenced but 

 abandoned, and penetrates deeply into the sapwood. Portions 

 of the stems covered by thick bark are avoided. 



