Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1903-07-31
Fruit Bark Beetle

Many complaints have come to this office
here OF late Of injury to fruit trees by small
boring insect, the fruit tree bark beetle, "Sco.
lytus Regusosus.
IL does Its injury by boring into the trunk
and branches, and if there is no effort made
TO check its ravages, the bark of the infested
tree will soon be found to be quickly "pep-
pered" with holes as though by fine bird
shot, These are the exit holes of the beetles
that have in their larval state mined and de.
veloped under the bark.
Early in the spring the beetles make their
appearance and may then commence their
work by boring through the bark. After
reaching the sap wood, feeding as she goes,
the female constructs brood chamber and
along the sides OF this at very short inter
walls, gnaws little pockets in which she de-
posts her eggs, According to DIR. J B.
Smith the eggs hatch within three days and
the larva attains maturity in about twenty
days, at which time II changes to the pupa,
this period lasting about seven days. 1t
now energies as an adult beetle, passing iLs
life cycle in four TO six weeks Prof. +.
II. Chittenden, Department of Agriculture,
states In his circular No. 30, The Fruit.Tree
Bark Beetle, that he is led to believe that
there are three generations In this latitude.
Until recently 1t was thought by some
that this insect would only attack diseased
trees, but Prof Chittenden states that he
has seen this insect working in perfectly
healthy trees, and the writer has witnessed
the same many times this year. Therefore
there ia no doubt that the insect will iniest
healthy trees, but it may prefer diseased or
dying wood.
In giving remedies TO employ against this
pest, the writer realizes that borers are at
best very hard insects 10 deal with and es-
pecially rs II so in this case IA the beetles
are extremely small and numerous and also
the fact that they attack any portion OF the
trunk and branches OF a tree. Owing to the
insects habit OF breeding in diseased or dy.
ing trees, II Is of prime Importance that all
brush wood and other remnants OF orchards
should always be burned. Where tree is
seen To be badly infested, 1t Ia best to cut IL
down and burn to prevent intestation to
sound ones. However, a tree may recover
from slight attacks, and in this case always
cut and burn the dying or dead growth as
soon as detected For this as we'll as other
insects, orchards should always he kept in
a vigorous condition 50 they will more read.
lily be able to withstand insect injury.
Many washes have been employed rs de
torrents against this pest. Whale oil soap
at the rate OF two pounds TO the gallon OF
water, applied with brush on the trunk
and larger branches may prevent the beetles
from entering the bark To some extent. Also
wash composed OF one pint OF crude car.
6oic acid and one gallon Of soft soap, diluted
with eight gallons of water has been recon
mended. Much good may come by touch
ing lightly injected spots from which gum
or sap has begun 10 Ooze with small
sponge or brush saturated with kerosene.
II this is done on the outset attack, many
beetles may be killed and thereby much
damage prevented
THOMAS b. SYMoNs,
Associate State chronological.
College Park, Md, July 30, 1903.