ATTACKING THE TRUNK. 25 



it is cylindrical in form, smooth and slender, and varies in 

 color from dark chestnut-brown to nearly black. Its legs 

 and antennae are pale-yellowish, and its thorax minutely 

 punctated ; the posterior end of the body is abruptly notched 

 or excavated. The insect bores under the bark of apple- 

 trees, sometimes attacking young, thrifty trees, which, when 

 badly affected, are apt, soon after putting forth their leaves, 

 to wither suddenly, as if scorched by fire ; the bark becomes 

 loosened from the wood, and soon after, these 

 small beetles appear crawling through minute per- 

 forations in the bark like large pin-holes. This 

 insect usually appears in July ; it is seldom very 



common, but has been reported as destructive in JTWM\ 

 some parts of Massachusetts, where many young ISr 

 trees are said to have been ruined by it. So little 

 is yet known of the history and habits of this pest that it is 

 difficult to say what would be the best remedy for it. 



No. 7. The Eyed Elater 



Alaus oculatus (Linn.). 



This is the largest of our Elaters, or " spring-beetles," and 

 is found with its larva in the decaying Flo 10 



wood of old apple-trees. The beetle 

 (Fig. 10) is an inch and a half or more 

 in length, of a black color, sprinkled 

 with numerous whitish dots. On the 

 thorax there are two large velvety black 

 eye-like spots, which have given origin 

 to the common name of the insect. The 

 thorax is about one-third the length of 

 the body, and is powdered with whitish 

 atoms or scales; the wing-cases are ridged 

 with longitudinal lines, and the under 

 side of the body and legs thickly powdered with white. 

 It is found in the perfect state in June and July. 



