14 



and the unwritten history of scores of dilapidated and ruined orchards in 

 many parts of the State fully demonstrate it. 



The frequent and instructive meetings of this and other similar organ- 

 izations, attended by fruit growers, bring home to their minds a full and 

 ample knowledge of remedies, and they should be applied with alacrity. 

 The cost is inconsiderable compared with the benefit. 



I believe that with a unity of action and with a wholesome individual 

 energy on the part of the fruit producers, the prevalence of injurious insects 

 in California will be materially lessened, and they may be exterminated. 



INJURIOUS INSECTS. 



Essay by W. G. Klee, Glenwood. 



CALIFORNIA PEACH ROOT BORER. 



My attention was first called to this insect by Mr. J. Britton of San Jose, 

 who in May last sent me specimens of the insect in its various stages, but 

 in such condition that the exact species could not be identified. Enough, 

 however, could be seen from which to conclude that it was a near ally of 

 the pernicious Eastern peach root borer, Sannania (Aejeria ) exitiosa. In Mr. 

 Britton's company I visited shortly afterwards the infested region, which lies 

 about two miles and a half southwest of San Jose, where I obtained some 

 specimens of the larva and chrysalids. Not satisfied with my result I again 

 visited the place in company with Mr. Albert Keobele, and Mr. H. A. Brai- 

 nard, editor of the " Santa Clara Valley;" We spent the greater part of 

 the day on the place of Mr. Leigh, southwest of San Jose, and obtained a 

 number of specimens of both larva and chrysalids. These we readily found 

 by removing the soil from around the base of the tree, laying bare the bark 

 for several inches. Gummy exudations indicated the presence of the borer 

 and with a knife it was easily extracted. This borer works directly under' 

 the bark, feeding on the cambium layer. Its tunnels, which are more or 

 less vertical, vary from four to eight inches in depth, and from two to four 

 inches in width. The larva has a great appetite, yet on account of its habit 

 of working downward, the tree is not as quickly girdled as when the East- 

 ern peach root borer is at work. Frequently three or four borers Were found 

 at work, and still the tree apparently not suffering severely. 



A tree badly attacked by this borer commences to look yellow, the fruit 

 generally commences to enlarge, and often, after a hot spell of weather, 

 commences to wilt; however, if only a portion of the bark is girdled, it 

 may show no signs. To ascertain the presence of the borer the soil must 

 be removed, as it works invariably underground. 



With the exception of two cherry trees, we found only peach roots 

 affected, but anything on this root is plainly liable to its attack. It seems, 

 however, that greatest danger of infection exists on lands of a heavy na- 

 ture. In fact, in going over several acres of this character we obtained 

 mostly all of our specimens, while hardly any were found on sandy soil 

 adjoining. In this respect our observations agreed with Mr. Leigh's experi- 

 ence, who confidently asserted that these insects had been observed by 

 him for ten years. 



