236 



P£STS OF ORCHARD AND SMALL FRUITS 



usually within a foot of the ground, in June and July. The larva 

 requires three years for maturity, feeding first in the sapwood, but 

 later penetrating to the heart of the tree. The food plants include 



apple, pear, quince, and 

 related wild species. 



Cutting out with a 

 knife or probing with 

 a soft copper wire are 

 effectual remedies, if 

 carefully done each 

 season. If a wire probe 

 is used, nick the end 

 so that rough barbs 

 will be made and the 

 borer thus drawn out. 

 Mechanical protections 

 tied around the trunk 

 for two to three inches 

 below the ground to a 

 height of two or three 

 feet will prevent egg 

 laying. For this pur- 

 pose one may use wood 

 veneer, heavy paper, 

 or even old news- 

 papers, which usually 

 will last through one 

 season. Pure white 

 lead and linseed oil 

 may be painted on the 

 trunks of apple trees, 

 but ready mixed paint must not be used, since it may contain other 

 oils that are injurious. Protective washes are of some benefit, but 

 need to be renewed occasionally, and will not wholly prevent attack, 

 though they will lessen the number of borers. 



Fig. 304. — The Round-headed Apple-tree borer. 

 Burrows emerging at base of tree. Adult. 

 Original. 



