342 AMERICAN POMOLOGY. 



the worm as a borer, and its situation at the base of tho 

 tree, are somewhat similar to those of the apple tree bor- 

 er ; but while that is the footless grub of a beetle, this is 

 a true caterpillar, the larva of a butterfly or moth, with 

 feet. The females deposit their eggs from June to Octo- 

 ber, placing them upon the bark at the surface of the 

 ground, sometimes in the forks of the large limbs. The 

 larva enters, and works downward ; first consuming the 

 bark, but afterwards eroding the wood also. Gum exudes 

 from the wound, mixed with their castings, and indicates 

 their presence. When ready to enter the pupa form, the 

 worms come to the surface, excavate a hollow in the 

 wood, and prepare a tough leathery follicle or pod, three- 

 fourths of an inch long, in which they repose as pupae. 



This, or an analagous insect, attacks the plum tree, and 

 behaves in a similar manner. The double-flowering Al- 

 mond of our shrubberies is also attacked by the borer. 



The perfect insect looks more like a wasp than a butter- 

 fly, for the wings of all this group are partially clear of 

 feathers, and transparent. It varies in size from a half to 

 three-quarters of an inch in length, and from eight-tenths 

 to one and three-tenths of an inch across. The female va- 

 ries more than the male, and her wings are larger in pro- 

 portion to the body, which is heavier. The male is of a 

 deep steel-blue color, with sulphur-yellow marks, and glossy 

 luster. The wings are transparent and glossy ; the veins 

 margined and fringed steel-blue. 



REMEDIES will depend upon the habits of the insect, 

 and must be directed to the pupa and larva, though valu- 

 able preventives are applicable to the perfect insect. The 

 worms may be sought out by scraping away the gum and 



