354 THE PEOPLE'S FARM AND STOCK CYCLOPEDIA. 



evil attempts of injurious insects, by a host of parasites, chief 

 among which are the ichneumon flies, which may readily be 

 known by their long, compressed abdomens, and long, ex- 

 serted ovipositors. It is wonderful, the instinct that guides 

 these insect destroyers to their enemies. Even the plum cur- 

 culio, secluded, as he is, and seemingly so exempt from moles- 

 tation as a larva, has more than one of these wily foes to 

 cut short his work of destruction. One of these (Fig. 34), the 

 Sigalphus curculonis, Fitch, has been known to work on the cur- 

 culio for a number of years. The female in the illustration 

 shows the attitude in which the fatal thrust is made. It is very 

 interesting to watch the operation of egg-laying, as I have fre- 

 quently done, of another ichneumon during the past summer, 

 on our currant " worms." 



Peach Borer. JEgeria exitosa, Say. Family, JEgereidce. 

 Order, Lepidoptera. This beautiful, slender, blue moth, which 

 flies in the bright sunshine, is not as well known as the 

 whitish caterpillar which does such pernicious work boring into 

 our peach trees. In the recent statements from leading fruit 

 men in Indiana and Michigan, where this pest has. been so per- 

 sistently and vigorously fought that it seems to be nearly exter- 

 minated, we have encouraging intimation of what concerted 

 action, which this report is aiming to promote, will do in de- 

 stroying any of our insects. Such news items should encourage 

 all to enlist and press forward in the good work. 



NATURAL HISTORY. These gay moths (Fig. 35), resembling 

 wasps in appearance, come forth in July, August, and Septem- 

 ber. I have hatched them in 

 all of these months. They soon 

 pair, and then egg-laying com- 

 mences. The eggs are laid just 

 at the base of the trunk. Soon 

 FIQ. 35.-i, Male. 2, Female. after the whitish larvae will be 



found, as they have commenced boring in the bark and sap- 

 wood just beneath the surface of the ground. Wherever they 

 work, just beneath the earth will be found a sticky mass formed 

 of the oozing gum and their chip-dust, which gives quick indi- 



