The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-11-25
FRUIrTREE BARK BEETLE
Kansas Experiment station Des-
eribes This PestiferOus Insect.

/
cultural experiment station has issued the
| following bulletin on the fruit tree bark
| beetle:
| OF the insects that have been introduced
/ into this state during the past few years.
none seem to be more destructive TO stone
/ fruit trees than the fruit-tree bark-beetle.
or shot-borer. as II is sometimes called
I from its peculiar habit Of Kidding the
I bark OF the trees with numerous small
holes. The insect has been found in Riley,
Bourbon and Allen counties. and without
doubt is present in a large number OF the
other counties of the state In Allen coun-
~ IL was very numerous, particularly
in an orchard of cherry trees. which were
suffering badly from the cherry scale
(Aspidiotus forbesD.
The presence OF the pest will probably
be first shown by the willing and fall
ing Of the leaves al an unreasonable time.
A close examination Of the tree, infest-
ed with the insect, viii reveal numerous
small holes in the bark. from which in
the case OF the stone-fruit trees, such as
the plum. peach. cherry. etc. there IS
considerable emulation Of gum To show
how the insect may riddle A tree, piecs
Of bark less than an inch square, taken
from an infested cherry tree, contained
nineteen perforations about the size OF
a pin-head.
The insect that is the cause Of the mis-
chief IS a small beetle about one-tenth
of an inch in length by about one-thlrd
as wide II is black in color. with the
exception OF the wing covers and the low
er part of the legs. which are reddish
With the beginning of spring. the bee
ties appear and commence 10 bore small
round holes through the bark 10 the sap
wood. where they make a central ourrow
or brood chamber on each side Of which
little pockets are made. in which eggs are
deposited. As the larvae hatch from the
eggs they commence TO make burrows
away from and at right angles 10 the
brood chamber, which become larger as
the larvae develop In size.
The larvae is a small grub about one
tenth OF an inch in length. II IS footless
and white, with the exception OF the
head. which IS brownsh.
When the larvae has attained It's fun
growth IL makes slightly enlarged cham
Der. in which Il pupates. Upon becoming
an adult. the beetle makes its way out
through small holes in the bark. and es-
capes. It takes about month for the
insect to go through its various stages.
so that during the summer there may be
several broods. Many OF the beetles up
on emerging will return and renew their
attack upon the tree, thus increasing the
damage that has already been done. In
time the tree becomes completely girdled
by the numerous channels. and des.
Strong and vigorous fruit trees may re-
sist for time the attacks OF the beetles
through the oxidation OF the gum. which
seems 70 be obnoxious 70 both the beetles
and the larvae. But II the attacks are
continued for a length OF time the tree
may be so weakened that the flow OF sap
win not be strong enough 70 repeI. In
such a case q is not long before the fate
OF the tree is sealed. unless vigorous and
prompt measures are taken for rs pro-
lection
To prevent loss from this insect. the
tree should be KEEP; in a healthy condi-
ton. The stronger the tree the better Il
can resist attack Trees that are dis
essed or are suffering from the attacks
OF scales or other insects seem most sub
ject 20 attack
II is good practice 20 remove and de-
stroy all dead wood in the orchard. as =
furnishes excellent breeding places Tor in
scots and = source OF danger 20 SUI
trees
Badly infested trees should be cut and
destroyed In the early sprinK the trunks
OF trees liable 20 attack should be coat
ed with an alkaline wash. consisting OF 1
soft soap reduced 10 the consistency of /
paint BY adding washing soda dissolved (
IN water Enough carbolic acid should I.
be added 20 give strong repeilant door /
20 the mixture. Apply the wash with a
stiff brush. Several applications should f.
be made during the spring and sumner.
Il - the plan % the coEsE-. u railroad .
cooperation can b secured. 20 have AZ f.
least one excursion. and perhaps several I.
from different parts q the state next 4
; 7TiDg. D which farmers can come ard 1
Wits he college and experiment station .
and earn what these institutions are DO I
InS- The pamphlet bulletins % ths *
pertinent station are sent % al fa-ue-. 4
\ no desire them By means g me press /
with ths help q the ueEv1a-
pers- useful Information from the exre-t- I
ment station IS stsl more widely sea-
tered Farmers who have Rad these pm
icattons VII BE interested II see.nz .As
station Itself