524 INSECT PESTS OF FARM, GARDEN AND ORCHARD 



may be poisoned by arsenicals; if so, the codling moth spray prob- 

 ably is responsible for smaller numbers of borers being found in 

 sprayed orchards than in neglected ones. 



The Flat-headed Apple-tree Borer * 



This species is more abundant than the preceding, but does 

 less damage. It prefers trees which have been weakened or are 



diseased, and attacks almost all 

 of the common orchard trees 

 as well as numerous shade and 

 forest trees, so that it is every- 

 where common. The species 

 is found from southern Can- 

 ada to Mexico. The larvse live 

 just beneath the bark, where 



_ ^ they hollow out broad flat 



FIG. 453. Thirst-headed apple-tree channels which extend slightly 

 borer (Chrysobothris femorata Fab.): into the sap-wood. The infest- 

 ed, larva: b, beetle: c. head of male: ,. , , , . . ,. 

 d, pupa twice natural size. (After ation may be detected by the 

 Chittenden, U. S. Dept. Agr.) discoloration of the bark. 

 Where abundant they will often completely girdle young trees, 

 thus causing their death, and they are frequently found abundant 

 under the loosening bark of the dying limbs of large trees, as 

 they infest not only the trunks, but the lower limbs. The adult 

 beetle is about one-half inch long, dull metallic brown above, and the 

 wing-covers taper sharply at the tip, somewhat like a click beetle. 

 The wing-covers are ornamented as shown in the figure, and 

 beneath them, as seen when in flight, the body is a bright metallic 

 greenish-blue. The male is smaller and the head is green. The 

 beetles are active during the heat of the day and may often be 

 found on logs or injured trees. 



Life History. The beetles emerge from the middle of May until 

 mid-summer. The eggs are deposited in crevices of the bark, 

 several often being laid together. The eggs are yellowish, irreg- 

 ularly ribbed and about one-fiftieth inch long. The species 

 receives its name from the shape of the larva, the thorax of which 

 is very broadly expanded, so that it looks like the head, which is 

 very small and almost concealed by it. The abdomen is much 

 smaller arid the whole body is flattened. The larva is about 

 * Chrysobothris femorata Fab. Family Buprestidoe. See F. E. Brooks, 

 Farmers' Bulletin 1065, U. S. Dept, Agr. 



