THE COTTONWOOD BOEEB. 
3 
iiquely downward and backward, passing between the body and the 
first two pairs of legs, the tips extending under the posterior pair of 
legs. The antennae curl outward and backward dorsally to the two 
anterior pairs of legs, then ventrally and inward nearly to the 
median line and forward along the tarsi, where they end with the 
apices or tips pointing nearly outward just below the legs. (Fig. 2.) 
LIFE HISTORY AND HABITS. 
OVIPOSITION. 
The female deposits her eggs in the trunks of cottonwoods and 
willows at, or a little below, the surface of the ground. A prelimi- 
nary examination is made, which, 
among very small trees, may in- 
clude the bases of several. When 
satisfied with her selection, the 
female clings securely to the bark 
with her head toward the ground, 
and by means of her strong jaws 
loosens the surface soil. This she 
pushes away with her head by 
straightening her front legs and 
thrusting her body outward from 
the tree. In this manner the 
soil may be removed to the depth 
of half an inch. A hole is then 
made in the bark to receive an 
egg. In small trees, especially in 
cuttings set during the preceding 
spring, this hole may extend 
through the bark well into the 
wood. In any case the bark and 
wood, are torn to shreds by the strong jaws of the insect, and some 
of these shreds usually remain attached to the small round cavity 
intended for the egg. 
After completing the egg cavity the female turns round and backs 
into the excavation, locating the cavity with the tip of her abdomen. 
She then secures a firm hold on the bark and remains in this posi- 
tion for several minutes, during which time much muscular activity 
is evident at the tip of the abdomen. The egg is finally extruded and 
pushed firmly into the cavity intended for it. A quantity of a 
dark gelatinous substance is deposited around and over the egg, and 
the adhering wood fibers are patted into place with the tip of the 
abdomen. The wound is then covered and the depression usually 
Fig 
2. — The cottonwood borer : Pupa, ven- 
tral view. Enlarged. (Original.) 
