center of the trunk, boring the wood here usually in a longitudinal 

 direction, and moving backwards and forward in their burrows, en- 

 larging them by gnawing their walls as they increase in size, where- 

 by the excavation comes to present the same diameter through its 

 wole length. He further says that of all the wood-boring insects 

 in our land, this is by far the most pernicious, wounding the trees 

 the most cruelly. It perforates a hole the size of an half-inch 

 auger, or large enough to admit the little finger, and requires three 

 or four years for the bark to close together over it. This hole run- 

 ning inward to the heart of the tree and admitting the water there- 

 to from every shower that passes, causes the decay in the wood to 

 commence, and the tree never regains its previous soundness. 



These worms probably live within the burrows in the tree three 

 years before changing to moths. When full grown, they measure 

 from two and one-half to three inches long. They "always attack 

 the living and healthy trees," usually at a point where the large 

 branches are given off. These worms we found quite frequent at 

 Kanawha Station in April in locusts cut for posts and in oak trees 

 cut for wood and lumber, and the large trees recently cut on the 

 University grounds here show evidence of their destructive work. 

 This insect also attacks the Red, White and Black Oaks, and is 

 probably the most injurious forest tree inzect known. 



To prevent the moths from depositing their eggs, the same rem- 

 edy as recommended for the locust borer (Clytus Robmae) applied 

 in July or August would probably prove efficient. 



THE LOCUST SPROUT AND TWIG BORER. 



This is a little red caterpillar, which bores into the pith of young 

 sprouts and tender branches. A swelling or gall is formed 

 around the point of attack, and the sprout or branch usually dies, 

 or breaks off at this point. This lava was found to be very plenti- 

 ful and destructive in the vicinity of Morgantown, four or five being 

 frequently found in a single sprout or branch. 



Very little has so far been learned of the history of this insect ; it 

 must, however, leave its burrow and enter the ground to change to 

 the pupa, as I have not been able to find a pupa within the burrow. 

 Between August yth and i4th and September i2th, to October 8th, 

 they were found in the sprouts all sizes, frcm the very smallest or 

 just hatched up to the mature worms. It is, therefore, possible that 

 there are several broods and that they may become very destructive 

 to young trees if neglected. 



To prevent this insect from increasing, the young sprouts affected 

 (which may readily be found by their swelled and knotty appear- 

 ance), should be cut out and burned while the worms are yet in 

 their burrows. 



THE YELLOW LOCUST MIDGE. 



(Cccidomyia Robintae, Haldeman). 

 Tkis is a minute midge or gnat. It deposits its eggs near the 



