258 BUSH-FRUITS 



The Bramble Crown-borer. (Fig. 34) 



Bembecia marginata, Harris. — Order Lepidoptera : Family 

 Sesiidae 



Saunders, Ins. Inj. Frts. 803. 

 Smith, Spec. Bull. N. J. Exp. Sta. N. 9. 

 Jack, Gar. and For. 1892: 426. 

 Webster, Bull. Ohio Exp. Sta. 45: 159. 

 ^geria rMfti,. Riley, Mo. Rep. 6: 111. 



French, 111. Rep. 7: 175. Trans. 111. Hort. Soe. 1881: 193. 

 Weed, Ins. and Insecticides, 103. 



This insect is a near relative of the peach-borer, being so simi- 

 lar in all its transformations that it has at times been mistaken 

 for that insect by growers. The adult 

 insects are clear-winged moths, appear- 

 ing much like wasps or hornets, for 

 which they may be readily mistaken 

 when seen in the open field. The body 

 of the insect is rather more than half 

 an inch in length, black and prettily 



Fig. 34 c7own-borer. ^^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^1^^^' ^^^^ ^ *^^* 



Bembecia marginata. of yellow hair near the base of the ab- 

 domen. The wings are narrow, trans- 

 parent, with a bronze or reddish brown margin, the front wings 

 having also a narrow cross -band toward the tip. They measure 

 about an inch across when expanded. 



I quote the following points concerning its life history from 

 John B. Smith:* 



"The moths make their first appearance in the fields late in 

 August and early in September, and soon after begin ovipositing. 

 A single egg only is laid on the cane near the surface of the 

 ground, or even a little below. The young larva, when hatched, 

 immediately eats through the bark and begins work at the base of 

 the stalk, where it joins the crown or main root, confining itself 

 largely to the sap-wood. The egg has not been observed by me, 



♦Special Bulletin N., N. J. Exp. Sta. 



