AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 155 



prevent the beetle from depositing eggs. Entomologists are agreed 

 that alkaline washes are the best. The following are cheap and 

 effective remedies : Reduce soft soap to the consistence of a thick 

 cream by adding a strong watery solution of washing soda. Lime 

 is sometimes used with the soap and glue may be added to give 

 adhesiveness. A solution of soap and carbolic acid has been highly 

 recommended. Whatever solution is used should be applied thor- 

 oughly to the base of the ti'ee and to the trunk as high as the 

 crotches. The best time to make the application is during dry 

 warm weather, so the solution will thoroughly dry before a rain. 

 There should be two applications, one early in June and another 

 early in July. The solution may be applied with an old broom or a 

 whitewash brush. 



Tne natural enemies of this insect are few. Woodpeckers are 

 said to destroy them. 



FLAT-HEADED APPLE-TREE BORER. 



Chrysobothris Femorata^ Fabr. 



This pest is very common in Maine, and the injury attributed to 

 the round-headed borer is frequently due to it. 



It is a native of America and besides being the worst borer affect- 

 ing the apple tree is known to attack the pear, plum, and peach ; also 

 the oak, box alder, hickorys, and maples. It loves the light and 

 may frequently be seen about the orchard on the trees. It is very 

 active and hard to catch, quickly taking wing. 



FIG. 2. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Perfect insect — a beetle variable in size but 

 usually about one-half inch long — oblong flat- 

 tish in shape — of a dark, dull greenish color 

 with a copper}' reflection — under side and legs 

 brilliant copper}^ color — feet green. On each 

 wing case are two irregularly- oblong impressed 

 transversed spots of deeper copper color than 

 the remainder of the wing, dividing the wing 

 cases into nearl}' three equal portions. The 

 upper surface appears as though sprinkled 

 Chrysobuthcris femorata, with an ash colorcd powdcr. The beetle 



Fabr. Flat-headed Apple-tree 



borer; a, larva; c, head of somcwhat enlarged is showu in (Fig. 2, d.) 



larva, underside; b, pupa; d, \ o / 



beetle. 



