264 CONSIDERATIONS FROM STUDY OF INSECTS 



Larva of tussock moth. Photograph, 

 natural size, by Davison. 



caterpillar, and the tent caterpillar ; the last spins a tent which 

 serves as a "shelter in wet weather. 



The larvae of some moths damage the trees by boring into the 

 wood of the tree on which they live. Such are the peach, apple, 



and other fruit-tree borers com- 

 mon in our orchards. Some 

 species of beetles produce bor- 

 ing larvae which eat their way 

 into trees and then feed upon 

 the sap of the tree. Many 

 trees in our Adirondack Forest 

 Reserve annually succumb to 

 these pests. Many trees are 

 killed because the beetle girdles 

 the tree, cutting through the 

 tubes in the cambium region. 

 Most fallen logs will repay 



a search for the larvae which bore between the bark and 

 wood. 



Among the bugs most destructive to trees are the scale insect 

 and the plant lice, or aphids. The San Jose scale, a native of China, 

 was introduced into the fruit groves of California about 1870 and 

 has spread all over the country. It lives upon numerous plants, 

 and is one of the worst pests this country has seen. It is interest- 

 ing to know that a ladybird beetle, which has also been imported, 

 is the most effective agent in keeping this pest in check. 



Insects of the House or Storehouse. The weevils are the 

 greatest pests, frequently ruining tons of stored corn, wheat, and 

 other cereals. Roaches feed on almost any kind of breadstuffs 

 as well as on clothing. The carpet beetle is a recognized foe of the 

 housekeeper, the larvae feeding upon all sorts of woolen material. 

 The larvae of the clothes moth do an immense amount of damage 

 to stored clothing especially. Fleas, lice, and especially bedbugs 

 are among man's personal foes. 1 



Beneficial Insects. Fortunately for mankind, many insects 

 are found which are of use because they either prey upon injurious 



1 Directions for the treatment of these" pests may be found in pamphlets issued 

 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 



