INSECTS AND DISEASES OF THE PEACH 1099 



near the edge of the wound, there spin a cocoon consisting of 

 web and chewed bark, ;ind pass into the pupa state. In about ten 

 days the larvae have changed to adult moths and might be mistaken 

 for small wasps, both males and females of the species appearing 

 much alike (Fig. 350). The eggs of the moth are deposited on the 

 hjirk, the adults preferring to place them near wounds from which 

 gum has formed. The eggs soon hatch, and the young larvae 

 resume work in the wound. The canker caused by the brown-rot 

 fungus is a frequent haunt for this borer. 



Control. The lesser peach borer can be controlled by yearly 

 examination of .cankers and wounds and by the killing of the 

 larvae in the early part of June. During the last of June and 

 early in July the larvae are passing into the pupa state and are not 

 generally recognized or easily found by the grower. 



As an agency to prevent the entrance of the young larvae after 

 they have hatched, it has been noted that wherever a grower 

 cleaned out the wound and applied a strong thickened lime- 

 sulphur solution, the work of this species was very limited. As 

 used in western New York the solution consists of the following: 

 concentrated lime-sulphur, 2 gallons ; water, one-half to 1 gallon ; 

 lime added to make a thick wash. Either air-slaked lime or thick 

 milk of lime is used to thicken the concentrate. The thick milk 

 of lime seems to adhere to the trees much better, however, and 

 lasts a longer time. 



Shot-hole, or Bark, Beetles. These two bark beetles (Phlceotri- 

 bus liminaris Harr. and Scolytws rugulosis Katz.), commonly 

 known ,as shot-hole borers, are equally prevalent in western New 

 'ork. The first species is apparently more destructive, but both 

 luse considerable yearly loss of peach trees, so that the principal 

 lethod of control is by continually preventing favorable breed- 

 ig places. In eastern New York the latter species is the most 

 mimon. In this state both insects have similar breeding periods. 

 [n September the beetles, which are small black bugs about one- 

 dxteenth of an inch- long, attack weakened and sometimes healthy 

 "ees. They bore a small round hole in the bark, in many cases 

 in eighth of an inch deep, causing large quantities of gum to 

 form on the surface (Fig. 348.). The loss of sap is the serious 

 >art of the injury. Many of the burrows serve as hibernating 



