The New Student's Reference Work/Peach-Tree Borer

Peach-Tree Borer, a larva that works much harm to the peach crop. The moth resembles a steel-blue wasp in appearance and emerges from its cocoon from late June to early September. It flies by day, and feeds on flowers. The eggs, brown in color, are glued to the bark of the peach or the pear close to the ground. As many as 700 have been counted in one female. They hatch in about a week. At once the tiny borer makes its way to the inner bark. Here it stays about ten months, feeding during this long period save in the coldest weather. It then makes a brown cocoon, usually placed near the ground and in about three weeks the adult insect emerges. In combating this grievous pest, trees should be gone over in September, May and late June, all gummy exudations watched and the larvae dug out and destroyed. There are few natural enemies to assist in the extermination of the peach-tree borer.