U.S. Department of Agriculture: Agricultural Research Service, Lincoln, Nebraska
Date of this Version
1919
Abstract
The Apple Tree has no more destructive insect enemy than the roundheaded apple-tree borer. It is the grub of a rather large white and brown striped beetle, which usually requires from two to three years to complete its life cycle.
It is found throughout the eastern half of the United States and southeastern Canada, attacks trees of all ages, but is most destructive to young trees up to 10 years old.
Besides the apple, it attacks the quince and pear among cultivated fruits, and the wild crab, service, mountain ash, chokeberry, seedling apple, and some other wild or native trees. The latter are frequent and unsuspected breeding places for the pest, and should be destroyed.
Some of the beetles may be killed by poison sprays; paints and washes of various kinds are partially effective in preventing the female from depositing her eggs in the bark, one of the best of these being pure white lead and linseed oil.
But the most effective and practical method of destroying the borer is the well-known practice of worming with a knife and piece of wire in midsummer or early fall.
This bulletin describes the insect in its different stages, its habits and work, its natural enemies, and the various methods of controlling it.
Comments
Published in Farmers Bulletin No. 675 (1919) 20 p.