196 BULLETIN 407 



pecan trees probably with the purpose of feeding on the larva of the borer. 

 Packard (1881) figured a Nitidulid larva which he stated probably preyed 

 on this and other hickory insects. Chittenden (1893) reared Bracon 

 erythrogaster Brulle and Doryctes radiatus Cr. from hickory wood infested 

 almost exclusively with the hickory borer. The writer has found Bracon 

 erythrogaster Brulle in considerable numbers ovipositing in the galleries 

 of this insect. Infested material has also yielded quite a few adults of 

 B. erythrogaster. This parasite seems to be quite effective in checking 

 the borer, as a large number of specimens split out of wood had been 

 killed by these parasites. The borers are killed during the larval stage, 

 and when parasitized, turn blackish in color and are much wrinkled 

 and flattened, due to the fact that their contents have been eaten out 

 by the parasite. 



Very often that part of the pupal cell outside 'of the plug of splinters 

 and sawdust, is utilized by a small Eumenid wasp which there constructs 

 its nest of clay and rears its brood. These clay nests block the entrance 

 effectively and doubtless prevent parasites from gaining access to the 

 pupal cells during this vulnerable stage of the insect's life. 



RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CONTROL AND THE PREVENTION OF INJURY 



Since the hickory borer attacks only recently dead and felled material, 

 all attempts should be centered on methods of preventing injury as 

 much as possible. As previously stated, this insect is a sun-loving species, 

 rarely being found in well shaded places. To test this out, the writer 

 piled branches of hickory in the woods where there was abundant shade, 

 and in relatively close proximity to infested material from which the 

 adults were emerging. None of this material was attacked by the hickory 

 borer, and were it not for the fact that other species caused much damage 

 to the wood in such a location, the piling of hickory in shady places would 

 be an effective means of preventing injury. 



Standing dead timber should be felled as soon as possible, preferably 

 within a few weeks or months after it has died. Such timber should be 

 utilized at once, or, if this is not possible, the logs should be barked or 

 else . put in water. Where either of these methods are employed injury 

 will be prevented, for the larvae cannot breed in the barked logs, and 

 water will kill whatever stages of the insect may be present, or will 

 equally well prevent oviposition. 



Unbarked logs, posts, poles, and such material should never be left 

 lying in the woods during the danger season, which extends from May i 

 to August i . They should either be utilized at once, or barked, or placed 

 in water. 



