. Bulletin of the Department of Agriculture. Agriculture; Agriculture. THE COTTONWOOD BOREE. 3 liquely downward and backward, passing between the body and the first two pairs of legs, tlie tips extending under the posterior pair of legs. The antennae curl outward and backward clorsally to the two anterior pairs of legs, then ventrally and inward nearly to the median line and forward along the tarsi, where they end with the apices or tips pointing nearly outward just below the legs. (Fig. 2.) LIFE HISTORY AND HABITS. OVIPOSITION. The female deposits her eggs in the trunks of cottonwoods an
. Bulletin of the Department of Agriculture. Agriculture; Agriculture. THE COTTONWOOD BOREE. 3 liquely downward and backward, passing between the body and the first two pairs of legs, tlie tips extending under the posterior pair of legs. The antennae curl outward and backward clorsally to the two anterior pairs of legs, then ventrally and inward nearly to the median line and forward along the tarsi, where they end with the apices or tips pointing nearly outward just below the legs. (Fig. 2.) LIFE HISTORY AND HABITS. OVIPOSITION. The female deposits her eggs in the trunks of cottonwoods and willows at, or a little below, the surface of the ground. A prelimi- nary examination is made, which, among very small trees, may in- clude the bases of several. Wlien satisfied with her selection, the female clings securely to the bark with her head toward the ground, and by means of her strong jaws loosens the surface soil. This she pushes away with her head by straightening her front legs and thrusting her body outward from the tree. In this manner the soil may be removed to the depth of half an inch. A hole is then made in the bark to receive an egg. In small trees, especially in cuttings set during the preceding spring, this hole may extend through the bark well into the wood. In any case the bark and wood are torn to shreds by the strong jaws of the insect, and some of these shreds usually remain attached to the small round cavity intended for the egg. After completing the egg cavity the female turns round and backs into the excavation, locating the cavity with the tip of her abdomen. She then secures a firm hold on the bark and remains in this posi- tion for several minutes, during which time much muscular activity is evident at the tip of the abdomen. The egg is finally extruded and pushed firmly into the cavity intended for it. A quantity of a dark gelatinous is deposited around and over the egg, and the adhering wood fibers are patted into place with the
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