THE PEACH-TREE BORER. 
333 
and veined with steel-blue, which is the general color of 
the body in both sexes ; the palpi or feelers, the edges 
of the collar, of the shoulder-covers, of the rings of the 
abdomen, and of the brush on the tail, are pale yellow, 
and there are two rings of the same yellow color on the 
shins. It expands about one inch. The fore wings of the 
female are blue, and opaque, the hind wings transparent, 
and bordered and veined like those of the male, and the 
middle of the abdomen is encircled by a broad orange- 
colored belt. It expands an inch and a half, or more. 
This insect does not confine its attacks to the peach-tree. 
I have repeatedly obtained both sexes from borers inhabit- 
ing the excrescences which are found on the trunks and 
limbs of the cherry-tree ; and, moreover, I have frequently 
taken them in connection on the trunks of cherry and of 
peach trees. They sometimes deposit their eggs in the 
crotches of the branches of the peach-tree, where the borers 
will subsequently be found ; but the injury sustained by 
their operations in such parts bears no comparison to that 
resulting from their attacks at the base of the tree, which 
they too often completely girdle, and thus cause its prema- 
ture decay and death. 
The following plan, which was recommended by me in 
the year 1820, and has been tried with complete success 
by several persons in this vicinity, will effectually protect 
the neck, or most vital part of the tree, from injury. Re- 
move the earth around the base of the tree, crush and 
destroy the cocoons and borers which may be found in it, 
and under the bark, cover the wounded parts with the 
common clay composition, and surround the trunk with 
a strip of sheathing-paper eight or nine inches wide, which 
should extend two inches below the level of the soil, and 
he secured with strings of matting above. Fresh mortar 
should then be placed around the root, so as to 'confine 
the paper and prevent access beneath it, and the remaining 
cavity may be filled with new or unexhausted loam. This 
