8 MAINE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 



It is necessary, however, that deterrent washes should be applied 

 farther up the trunk and to as many branches as can be con- 

 veniently reached. 



Careful cultural methods. — Careful, clean methods of orchard 

 management are essential as a measure of protection, and in- 

 volve the cutting out of dead, dying, and injured deciduous 

 forest and shade as well as orchard trees known to be chosen as 

 food by this species. Care should be exercised in transplant- 

 ing, and especially in pruning; and fertilizers should be used 

 in order that the trees may be thrifty and better able to with- 

 stand attack. Proper regard for these measures should give 

 practical exemption from injury. 



Shot-Borer. 

 (Xyleborus dispar.) 



The female beetles bore into the wood, making deep channels 

 which in small twigs interfere with the circulation of the sap, 

 and the twigs wither, giving the appearance of blight. The 

 holes through the bark are .06 of an inch in diameter and nearly 

 circular, looking like small shot holes. 



These beetles feed, both as larvae and adults, on a peculiar 

 fungus, known as ambrosia, which grows in their burrows. 

 They are sometimes called wood stainers because the fungus 

 blackens the surrounding wood. 



When the larvae are full grown they transform to pupae in 

 the burrows, and finally emerge as small beetles about one-tenth 

 of an inch long and of a dark brown or nearly black color, with 

 the antennas and legs of a rusty red. The thorax is short, very 

 convex, rounded and roughened. The wing covers are marked 

 by longitudinal rows of punctures. The hind part of the body 

 slopes abruptly. The beetles leave their burrows in June and 

 July and deposit eggs before August. 



REMEDIES. 



The trees should be watched during the latter part of June 

 and July and, if blighted twigs or diseased limbs are noticed, 

 examine the branches for small pin holes ; if found, the pres- 

 ence of this or some related species may be suspected. Badly 

 infested trees or limbs should at once be cut far enough below 

 the injury to include all the burrows, and burned, to prevent 



