18 
Indian Forest Records. 
[VOL. II. 
to be feared from the insect is due to its habit of ovipositing in the bast 
layer of the trees. As has been shoTvn^ the operations of the beetles and 
their larvae lead to the destruction and disappearance of the bast, and when 
the insects are numerous end in the death of the tree. In several instances 
the death of large trees examined appeared to be due directly to the 
attacks of this insect. 
Its greatest danger is, however, evidently to be found in the fact that 
it forms such a powerful ally to the Loranthus parasite which infests the 
oaks. Broad-leaved trees are much more resistant to the bark boring 
beetle attacks than is the case with conifers, and consequently it is prob- 
able that the oak can ordinarily hold its own against the Scolytid. 
It is essential to the latter that the bast layer of the tree should be 
fresh and sappy, but the beetle invariably seeks out diseased trees or those 
which have become weakened through some cause in which to lay its 
eggs. The slow strangulation and consequent weakness set up in the 
trees b}- the Loranthus parasite places the tree in the exact condition 
preferred by bark beetles, and where these insects are at all numerous an 
attack in Loranthus-weakened trees may be looked upon as a foregone 
certainty. Once the insects have obtained a hold in a forest their powers 
of rapid multiplication render them a pest which has to be reckoned with. 
Protection and Remedial Measures. 
Protective and remedial measures for safeguarding the uninfested trees 
in Naini Tal and elsewhere have already been considered in the section 
devoted to the longicorn beetles. It will be well, however’, to glance at 
measures applicable to this insect alone, since it is probable that A'ery often 
it infests the tree before the Huprestid or Ceiainbr cid pests make their 
appearance. 
To combat these bark borer prests adequately it becomes necessary to 
know’ the exact life history of the insect, and more especially in what 
months during the year it is in its larval stage, for it is in this stage that 
it can be best attacked. hen the tree is full of nearly full-grown larvjB, 
it should be felled and barked and the bark burnt. From the life history 
as at present observed we know that this can be done at the end of the 
first week in M ay for the grubs of the first generation and at about the 
end of June for those of the second generation. 
