INSECT ENEMIES. 



longer able to perform their office. Secure* 

 growth of wood, that will ripen in time to be ready for 

 all changes of weather, and you will have the satisfaction 

 of having done wisely. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

 INSECT ENEMIES OF THE QUINCE. 



ENTOMOLOGISTS have estimated that, on an average, 

 there are from four to six insect enemies to each variety 

 of plants. The insect enemies of the quince exceed this 

 average, but are not so numerous as the enemies of the 

 apple. Quite a portion of them are alike the enemies of 

 both. 



ATTACKING THE TRUNK AND BRANCHES. 



1. THE ROUND-HEADED APPLE-TREE BORER (Saperda 

 Candida, Fabr. ; Saperda bivittata, Say). This is an 

 American insect, first described by Thomas Say in 1824. 

 Trees growing on high ground are, other things being 

 equal, more largely infested than those on low land. In 

 its larval state it is called the Round-headed Apple-tree 

 Borer, to distinguish it from a flat-headed species, which 

 also preys on the apple, but not on the quince tree. In 

 its imago, or perfect state, it is commonly known as the 

 Two-striped Saperda. The full-grown larva is about an 

 inch long, cylindrical in form, fleshy, and tapering from 

 the head to the tail. The round head is of a chestnut - 

 brown color, horny, and polished. The jaws are quite 

 black, and fitted to cut the fiber of wood much as it is 

 cut in boring with an auger. The chrysalis is lighter 

 colored than the larva, and is marked by transverse rows 

 of minute spines on the back, with a few at its extremity, 

 which probably aid it in casting off its pupa skin. The 



