The second season it
continues its work in the sapwood, and in case two or three are at
work in the same tree may completely girdle it, thus destroying it.
The third year it penetrates to the heart of the tree, makes an
excavation, and awaits its transformation. The fourth spring it comes
forth a perfect beetle, and lays its eggs for another generation.
THE FLAT-HEADED BORER.
The flat-headed apple tree borer, _Chrysobothris femorata_, is also a
native of this country. It is a very active insect, delights to bask
in the hot sunshine; runs up and down the tree with great rapidity,
but flies away when molested. It is about half an inch in length. "It
is of a flattish, oblong form, and of a shining, greenish black color,
each of its wing cases having three raised lines, the outer two
interrupted by two impressed transverse spots of brassy color dividing
each wing cover into three nearly equal portions. The under side of
the body and legs shine like burnished copper; the feet are shining
green." This beetle appears in June and July, and does not confine its
work to the base of the tree, but attacks the trunk in any part, and
sometimes the larger branches.
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