A longicorn beetle, _Ptychodes vittatus_, has caused considerable injury
at some points in Louisiana and Mississippi by burrowing into the trunk
and larger branches. In reply to inquiries regarding this insect,
Director W. C. Stubbs, of the Louisiana Experiment Station, says:
The damage done in Louisiana is to a large extent conjectural.
In our groves we have lost several trees temporarily, all being
bored into by this borer. They, however, start up again quickly
from the roots and soon replace the injured trees. We have had
no remedy against this invasion except to dig it out while very
young with a penknife. We have tried various insecticides
without any apparent results.