CHAPTER X 

 INSECT PESTS OF BERRIES AND GRAPES 



BERRY growers are found over a large portion of the United 

 States, and in many sections berry-growing is the chief means of 

 livelihood. Grapes, which' are really berries, botanically, are 

 grown commercially in favored localities. The bisect pests affect- 

 ing these plants are given in this chapter. 



INSECTS INJURING STRAWBERRIES 

 Attacking the Roots of Strawberry Plants. 



The Strawberry Crown-borer. The adult beetle (Tyloderma 

 fragarice Riley) is wingless, about one-sixth of an inch long. It is 

 brown, marked with several dark brown spots, as well as with 

 lines and dots running lengthwise of the body (Fig. 154). When 

 full grown the grub is white, with a horny, yellow head. 



a. I 



FIG. 154. The strawberry crown-borer. (After Riley.) 



Life History. It is first observed in June or July, at which 

 time it deposits an egg on the crown of the plant. The grub, after 

 hatching, burrows down into the crown, feeding upon the tissues. 

 The pupal or resting stage is passed within the crown or root, the 

 adult emerging some time hi late summer. 



Control. Infested plants are almost sure to succumb. These 

 should be dug and burned after the fruiting season and before the 

 grub has time to complete its transformation and emerge as an 

 adult. If strawberries are cropped only one year and if a bed is 

 placed at a distance from the bed of the preceding year, the danger 

 of serious injury from this insect is but slight. 



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