The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1874-02-28
FARM AND GARDEN.
Orchard Insects.
kPPLE-TREE BOXERS.

There are several insects known as apple
tree borers, but the one most destructive tt
the trees in the eastern states is the larva OF
grub of the two-striped Saperda (Sdperdd can
dida). This beetle is about three quarters OF
an inch long, of II buff color, with two dis
tinct white stripes extending from the head
to the tip of the wing covers. 1t IS very shy,
hiding in creviccs OF the bark, and up among
the leaves of the tree during the day, and fly.
in about al night. The beetles appear in
spring, the females usually depositing their
eggs on the bark of the trees near the ground
where they soon hatch, and the grubs boar
into the sap wood of the trees, frequently
completely girdling the stems. The grubs
are nearly cylindrical, tapering slightly from
the head to the end of the body The head is
small brown and hJrn.likc in appearance
Apple trees that are cultivated, with the stems
surrounded by grass and weeds, are much
more likely to be attacked than those receiv-
ing the opposite treatment.
The grubs can be found in the trees at this
season and during the summer, their
presence being readily detected by the saw
dustlke eXcrement pushed out from the fur.
rows made by them. They should be dug out
anu Killed small gouge or strong sharp
pointed knife being used for this purpose.
Lime or ashes are frequently recommended
as prevcntlves being heaped or streWn thickly
about the stems; but we are inclined to be-
lieve that their efficacy, if they possess any,
is mainly due to keeping the grass and weeds
from growing up and shading the very place
which the beetle selects for depOsiting her
eggs. The sapcrda attacks trees Of all ages,
but appears to prefer those that are young,
probably because the bark is thinner and
affords more ready access to her young. The
only certain method OF preserving our apple
orchards from destruction is to examine the
trees once or twice every season, and dig out
cverp grub found in them. If the base of the
stem, tor foot or more from the ground up
ward, is enclosed in oiled or tarrcd paper, or
any similar material the female will seldom
attack the the trees. But even with these
precautionary measures the trees should be
annually examined.
The next most troublesome insect is the
''hat-headed borer" This grub is the larva or
small, fattlsh beetle, about half an inch long
of u greensh black color above and bronze
appearance underneath. The name of this
beetle Is ChyysO6OthriS t6m0rdIa, and it APP
pears at various times during the summer
the females depositing their eggs on the stems
As well as IN the forks of the main branches
Ii does not, however, contine its rayages to
the apple or trees belonging to the same fam
lily like the saperda named above, but attacks
the beech oak, aud several of our forest trees,
as well rs other kinds of fruit trees The
grubs bore almost entirely between the bark
and wood the latter dying as they advance.
They are very flat and the head appears very
large in proportion to the body; hence the
common name "tlatheaded apple tree borer."
In some parts of the country this insect is
very abundant, and large patches of dead,
shrunkcn bark mark their presence in the
trees. The only preventive with which we
are acquainted is painting the trees at least
twice each summer with strong soap. Of
course the application, TO be ctfectual, must
extend from the ground up to and among the
larger branches. Frequent examinations are
also necessary, and every grub should be dug
out and the wounds made by it covered with
some kind of wax to prevent decay Of the ex.
posed wood.