200 THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE. 



far from being proved ; boring insects or their larvse neither cause sap to exude nor 

 gum to form. Nevertheless, considerable damage is done by their tunnels and it is 

 desirable to prevent the moths depositing their eggs in the crevices of the bark, 

 by spraying the trees in May and September with petroleum emulsion (Vol. L, 

 page 261). 



Weevils. A number of weevils feed on the young buds and leaves. Rhynchites 

 alliarise injures the young shoots by the female laying her eggs on the buds near the 

 end of the young shoots, gnawing the part a little below, causing it to han? down and 

 wither, the larvee feeding on the pith. K. cupreus deposits its eggs in the young fruit 

 and the larvas burrow into it, its early fall being accelerated by the weevil gnawing the 

 footstalk partly through. The only remedies are to catch the weevils, and to collect and 

 burn the fallen fruit, as described under "Apple Weevil," Vol. II, page 4U. Some 

 weevils feed as larvae in winding galleries below the bark, especially of weakly trees, but 

 the greatest mischief is done by the Scolytida? or Bark Beetles ; Magdalinus pruni, a 

 beetle about ,- 2 to ^ inch long, black, with reddish antennae, being the most partial to 

 the plum. Xyleborus dispar also attacks the stems and limbs of plum trees. See 

 " Borers," Vol. I., pages 262 265, for description and remedies. 



White Scale. A small scale, probably Diaspis rosee, occasionally attacks the twigs 

 and stems and may be destroyed by the means given on pages 272 274, Vol. I. 



"Woodlice and other enemies. Earwigs (Vol. I., page 267), beetles, and woodlice 

 (Vol. I., page 262) are fond of ripe plums, but the worst pests of all are the wasps 

 (Vol. L. page 279), aided by hornets and bluebottle flies. Preventive and remedial 

 measures against these depredators are given on the pages quoted. Mice and rats 

 (Vol. I., page 298) sometimes take to feasting on plums ; squirrels are partial to gages 

 and all richly flavoured plums, carrying them off wholesale (see Vol. I., page 300 ). 



