DISEASES AND ENEMIES 265 



in the American "cotton tree" (Bombax ceiba) and 

 in another wild-growing tree, Pachira aquatica, called 

 in Trinidad " chataigne maron," and in Surinam "wild 

 cocoa " or " forest cocoa." After continued and frequent 

 copulation the oviposition begins. The eggs are laid at 

 irregular intervals during several weeks. For instance, 

 in one of the cases observed by Chippy a female laid 

 141 eggs in 2^ months' time ; 8 eggs were laid in one 

 day, then in three days 12 eggs, and so on. The eggs 

 are laid by preference near or at the fork of the trees, 

 especially young trees, and also near the foot of side- 

 branches and chupons. Young trees are often attacked 

 just above the soil. The eggs are inserted into the 

 bark through an incision which is 

 made by the powerful mandibles of 

 the beetle with much care and delibera- 

 tion. Ordinary wounds and cracks are 

 never used for the purpose, and the 

 eggs are never simply laid on the bark. 



After four or five days the larva 

 hatches and soon starts to eat away Fl i nd ^ n ~ c ^ol - borer 

 a roomy chamber within the soft (stdrastoma ^res- 

 succulent bark. For a couple of weeks 'Txaturai size 

 it merely enlarges the area of its habita- 

 tion, but then begins to make a spiral or wavy tunnel 

 through the bark. As a rule it starts under the fork 

 of the tree or the place of insertion of the side branch, 

 and begins to "ring" the branch or the young stem. 

 In old trees the tunnelling operations are carried out 

 in various ways. The length of time during which the 

 larva continues to tunnel is, under favourable conditions 

 (in living trees) about 2 months, under less favourable 

 conditions (in dead or dying wood) 3 to 5^ months. 



The pupal stage lasts about twelve days. After 

 issuing from the pupa, the beetle lies for a few days 

 within the tunnel to enable its tissues to harden. Then 

 it leaves the tunnel and lives for about three months 

 flying from tree to tree. The chafed and scarred 

 appearance of the young branches and chupons mark 



