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New York State Education Department

New York State Museum

John M. Clarke Director
Ei'HRAiM ToRTER Felt State Entomologist

Memoir 8

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES

EPHRAIM PORTER FELT D.Sc.

Preface ------ 3

Introduction ----- 5

Injuries caused by insects - - 5
Shade trees and adjacent property

affected 7

Definitions and classification - 8
Important groups of insects affecting

forest trees ----- 10

Literature - - - - - i-

Transforuiations of insects - - ij

Parasitic and predaceous enemies 20

General jireventive measures - - 25

Birds - 25

Remedial measures - - - - 34

Selection and planting of trees - 46

Common shade trees and their
cipal insect enemies

More important shade tree pests
Destructive borers - - -
Destructive leaf feeders
Destructive sucking insects

The battle of the weak or intert
facts about aphids

More important forest tree pests -
Enemies of deciduous trees
Wood and bark borers
Leaf feeders
Sucking insects

Ivxphinatiou of plates

index . - - - -

prin-

sting

49
50
50
105
[72

-

241

253

-

256

256,

259

25«-

303

25S.

329

a 435

ALBANY

NEW YORK. STATE EDUCAIIOX DEPARTMENT
1905

STATI-: OF NT.W \(iKK

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
Regents of the TTniversity

Will

irs when terms expire

iqi3 Willi i:i. AW Rf.id M.A. LL.I). C/iance//or - - - New York

1906 SrCi.AiK McKr.i.wAV M.A. L.H.D. LL.I). D.C.L. J7cc Chancellor

Brooklyn

1908 Danikl Beach Ph.D. LL.I). Watkins

1914 Pliny T. Sexton LL. B. LL.D. - - - - Palmyra
1912 T. Guilford Smith .^L.\. C.H. LL.I). - . - - Buffalo

1907 William Nottingham M..\. Ph.D. LL.I). - - Syracuse

1910 Charle.s a. Gardiner Ph.D. L.H.D. LL.I). D.C.L. - New York

1915 Charles S. Francis B.S. - - - - - - Troy

191 1 P2invARD Lauterbach M.A. LL.D. .... New York

1909 Eugene A. Piiilbin LL.B. LL.D. .... New York

19 16 Lucian L. Shedden LL.B. Plattsburg

Commissioner of Education

AxDkKw S. Dkai'kr LL.D.

Assistant Commissioners

Howard J. Rogers M.A. LL.D. First Assistant Commissioner
Edward J. Goodwin Lit. D. L.H.D. Second Assistant Commissioner
Augustus S. Downing M.A. Third Assistant Commissioner

Secretary to the Commissioner

Harlan H. Hornkr B.A.

Director of Libraries and Home Education

Mklvil Dewkv LL.D.

Director of Science and State Museum

John M. Clarke I'h.D. LL.D.

Chiefs of Divisions
Accounts, WiLLIA.M Ma.son

Attendance, James D. Sullivan

E.xaminations, Charles F. Wheelock B.S. LL.D.

Inspections, Frank H. Wood M.A.

Law, Thomas E. Finegan M..\.

Records, Charles E. Fircii L.H.D.

Statistics, Hiram C. Case

Visual Instruction, DeLancey M. Ellis

«^ Cty*^ 1 /l> ^"^ uyr--^

PREFACE

This work was Ijc^uii a number of years ago by the writer studying
various insects deprt^tlating on shade trees, and from that it was very
natural to give attention to those affecting forest trees. It assembles in one
volume the results of our studies for a scries of years, together with a
summary of the more important literature relating to the subject. It is not
e.vpected that this memoir will supersede the exceedingly valuable work by
Dr Packard on Forest and S/iadc 'free Insects, 5th Rejjort of the United
States Entomological Commission, l)ut rather that it will be supplementary
thereto. It is hoped that the arrangement adopted will facilitate the identi-
fication of the different species and aid materially in making the information
accessible to the general public. The writer at this time wishes to acknowl-
edge his indebtedness to the assistants who ha\e been associated with him
during the past si.x years, all of whom have aided more or less in the
preparation of this work. Particular mention shoukl lie made of the work
of Mr D. B. Young, now assistant entomologist, who during the last three
years, by collecting and otherwise, has secured much valuable data which
has been incorporated in this work. Through the courtesy of Dr L. O.
Howard, Chief of the Bureau of Entomology, United States Department
of Agriculture, a number of species were kindly determined by Drs Hop-
kins and Ashmead. The former named most of the bark borers or .Scoly-
tids and also generously gave the writer the benefit of his extended
experience in the study of forest insects. Dr. Ashmead is res])onsible for
the determination of most of the parasitic 1 lynienoptera, a grou|) in which
he is a well recognized authority. The value of the work is also greatly
enhanced by the large series of original drawings by Mr L. H. Joutel
of New York.

This publication is essentially practical or economic in nature, and as
such, gives special attention to the more injurious species depredating
on shade and forest trees. A .somewhat radical, though we hope none
the less valuable, departure from the ordinar\- treatment in economic

literature is found in the summarized accounts of some of the more inter-
estinj,^ groups one meets in the study of forest entomology. These latter
are of special value in giving a general knowledge of the subject, some-
thing which appeals strongly to those having a comparativeK' slight
knowledge of entomology, yet desirous of following in a general way. the
manif(?stations of insect life. Some original morphologic studies are also
included in the volume, since they are almost essential to tht- adecpiate
identification of certain very injurious species.

E. P. I-KI.T

Stale Entomologist

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES

IXTRODrCTIOX

The welfare of the human race is ch)sel\- connectixl with that of our
trees, ami any work looking- to th^-ir better protc-ction makes for the
advancement of mankind. The value of our str(-(;t and park trees is much
greater than the cost of their production, and a city or village blessed with
such has treasure which should Ije most jealousl)- guanled, since these
magnificent growths have an important inHuence in modifying climatic
conditions, besides adding materially to the beaut\- of the surroundings.
I his is not only true in cities ami villages but also in the country at large,
particularl)- in sucli resorts as the Adirondacks, where thousands go for
recreation and health. The trees in such places not only afford most
agreeable shelter from wind and sun, but the e\aporation from the immense
leaf areas modifies the temperature and the exhalations from the coniferous
needles undoubtedly aid very much in healing diseased lung tissues.

The protection of shade trees is a serious |)roblem, largely due to the
introduction into this country of certain \rry destructive species, such as
the gipsy moth, the elm leaf beetle, the i-lm bark louse, the leopard moth
and the San Jose scale, all e.\ceedingl\- injurious and all, cxcei^t the
'gipsy moth, well established in New \'ork State. It is only a (piestion
of time before the latter crosses our borders. The al)ovi- are a few of the
important exotic species which aid such dtrstruclixc native forms as the
white marked tussock moth, the iKigworm, the fall webworm, the scurfy
and o\ster scales and the cottony maple scale in their nefarious work.

Injuries caused by insects. It is very tlitiicult for most ])ersons to form
an adecjuate idea of the great economic im|iortance of this group. The)-
are willing to admit that some injury is causeil, but have no adecjuate con-
ce|Jtion of the enormous losses inllicted. I'Or example, during 1854 to
1857, the wheat midge, Dijjlosis tritici I-'itch. caused an estimated

6 NEW YORK STATE MLSEUM

damage in New York, Ohio and Canada of at least $8o,odd,ooo. The
chinch bug, Bliss us leucopterus Say, between 1850 and 1887, was
responsible for losses amounting to $350,003,033, while grasshoppers,
between 1874 and 1875, destroyed crops valued at $571,000,000. The
cotton worm, Alabama a r g i 1 1 a c e a Hiibn., caused an estimated annual
loss of $15,000,000 during the 14 years following the Civil War according
to Dr Packard, that for 1873 being placed at $25,000,000. These records
afford only an appro.ximate idea of the damage caused by insect depreda-
tions. Se\'eral authorities ha\e atti-mpte-d to estimate the total loss in the
United States due to such causes and have placed the amount at from
three hundred to four hundred million dollars annually. This estimate is
|)ri)l)al)ly a fair approximation of the amount of damage.

Dr A. S. Packard has placed on record a statement that every spruce
tree west of the Penobscot was killed by insects in 18 18, and that in 1874
the forests of spruce and fir in Maine, New Hampshire and New ^'()rk
i)egan to be destroyed by the wholesale,' which in large part was due to tiie
depredations of bark borers.

Prof. C. 11. Peck, now state botanist, observed e.xtensive injuries to the
spruce forests of the .Ailirondacks in iS;6 by the sjjruce bark beetle,
I) e n d r o c t o n u s piceaperda ll<i|)k. The trouble was so serious in
some places that in 1883 a correspondent of Xa/ioji slated thai in one large
tract in Essex county he was unai)le lo fnid i tree in 20 alive.- The com-
paratively recent outbreak of I) e n il ro c l o n u s frontalis Zimm. in
1891-92 covered an area of something over 50,000 square miles in West
Virginia, Mar\land, Pennsylvania and probably Xew jersey, as estimated
by Dr A. D. Il()|)kins, who has made a special sUuK- of this insect. The
infested area in West X'irginia alone was eslimaletl 1)\ him at 15,000 square
miles. There was in 1897 a serious outbreak of a bark Ijeetle, identified as
Dendroctonus piceaperda, in northern New Hampshire anil in
adjacent territory in Vermont, Maine antl Canada, as reported by Dr C. M.
Weed.

■ U. S. Ent. Com. 5th Rep'i. i8go. j). 811, 817.

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 7

The above figures make the following estimates prepared several years
ago by Dr Hopkins appear quite reasonable. He placed the annual loss
on timber as follows: bark beetles to pine and spruce, $5,000,000; bark
and timber beetles causing defectiv-e wood in felled timber, $1,000,000;
insects in timber injured by fires and other causes, $1,000,000; the Colum-
bian timber beetle to standing and living timber, $1,000,000; timbi-r and
carpenter worms in oak, $2,000,000; chestnut worm, $1,000,000; long-
horned wood borers to standing timber, $2,000,000; the same to felled tim-
ber and saw logs, $2,000,000; other wood borers to standing and felled
timber, $2,000,000; foliage-infesting insects to forests and shade trees,
$3,000,000; white pine weevil, plant lice, scale insects, etc. to young
growth, $1,000,000; powder post beetle to dry manufactured wood,
$1,000,000; miscellaneous insects not includcul in the above, $3,000,000,
making an enormous total of $25,000,000. To this should be added losses
in working up and disposing of defective wood, losses caused by use of the
same, and indirect losses caused by diminished forest area due to insect rav-
ages, all of which, could it be estimated in dollars and cents, might be
placed at $75,000,000, making a grand total of $100,000,000 annually on
forests and forest products alone.

Shade trees and adjacent property affected. .Aside from direct losses to
forest trees and their products, \ery great damage is inflicted by insects on
shade and ornamental trees throughout the country. This loss can not be
estimated in financial terms, since a tree destroyed can not be replaced
for a number of years, and its effect on the value of adjacent propertv is
quite variable. The loss occasioned by the destruction of trees is usually
underestimated. To give an idea of the extensive damage caused in this
way, we would call attention to the depredations of the; elm leaf beetle,
Galerucella luteola Miill., a species which is well established in most
cities and villages along the Hudson river and bids fair to become destruc-
tive in many other places in the State. It has caused the death of several
thousand trees in Albany and Troy alone since 1898, besides seriously

8 NEW VOUK STATE ML'SEl'M

weakcnini,^ many Others. Tlic Icoijard moth, Zeuzcra p y r i n a Fabr., is
a ven serious borer which has become established about New \'ork cit\'.
and has killed hundreds of trees and seriously damaged ihousamls. I he
cottony maple scale, Pulvinaria i n n u me rab i 1 i s Rathv., is another
very destructive pest affecting soft maples in particular, and the elm
bark louse, Gossyparia spuria Mod., is ahnost as injurious to elms.
In addition to these there is the San Jose scale, A s p i d i o t u s p e r n i c i o-
sus Comst., a pest which thrives on a great number of trees and is a seri-
o:is menace to ornanicnlals. The gyps\' moth, I'orthetria tl i s p a r
Linn., has become well established in Massachusetts and in the course
of time will probably become a pest of prime importance in New York
-State.

It is interesting in this connection to call attention to the fact that some
of th(t most destructive species have come to us from abroad, and this
is as true of those; inf(;sling shade trees as of the pests feeding on our fruit
trees and other cultivated crops. It is only necessary to recall that the elm
leaf beetle, leopard moth, the elm bark louse, the mottled willow borer,
.San Jose scale and others of that character ha\e come to us from abroad.
The obvious ckrduction is that every possible precaution should be e.\crcised
to prevent the introduction of other species which may become equally
injur'ous.

Definitions and classification. An insect may be defined as a si.\ legged,
tracheale animal, with the ])rincipal body divisions, namely, head, thorax
ami abdomen, sijparatt;. riu\' ma)' l)e distinguishetl from the closely
related spiders, by the latter having eight legs in the adult condition and
the head and thorax being fused into a compound cephalothorax. The
mites are normall)- eight leggc-d when adult, and ma\- be recognized
by the unsegmented abdomen being fused with the thorax. The large
number of legs possessed by the centipede and the millipede, together
with their elongate form, should prevent their bt;ing confused with insect.s^
proper.

INSECTS AFFECTIXG PARK AND WOODLAXD TREES 9

The head of the insect bears the principal sense organs — the eyes and
the antennae — and also those for the prehension and mastication of food.
These latter consist of the mandibles, the niaxillae with their palpi, and
the lower lip or lai)ium, which is also pro\ided with a pair of palpi. The
thorax bears the princi[jal organs of locomotion : the wings and the legs.
The former ma\" lie absent in some cases, as in the lowest order, the Th)'sa-
nura, in certain sexes and in some species of the high(;r orders. The hind
wings may be retluced to men; vestiges known as halteres or balancers,
as in the tlies. The wings may be covered 1)\' protective shields, the
elytra of beetles, or parth' thickenetl, like tht; anterior wings of the
Heteroptera, and to a still less extent of certain ( )rtlioptera. The modifi-
cations existing in these organs are of great aiil in classification. The
vestiture or absence thereof, relati\"e length, number of veins, location of
veins, arrangement of cells and other differences are of great service to the
systematist.

The legs are normally six in number, though occasionally there are
species which have but four, the anterior two in some butterflies being
reduced to mere rudiments. The principal parts of the leg are the trochan-
ter, femiu', tibia and tarsus. The hrst is the small segment close to the
body, the fenuir and tiliia are usually of nearl\- etjual length, the femur
being decidedly stouter, while the tarsus is rather slender and usually con-
sist of from three to five segments, the terminal one Ijearing a pair of claws
or a sucking disk or both. There are considerable modifications in
each of these parts, and their relative development, length, clothing,
color etc. afford good characters for the separation of im[)ortant groups
and species.

The abdomen has lo or fewer segments and is usually considerably
longer than the harder, more complex thorax. It is composed of a series
of very similar segments, the terminal ones bearing the sexual organs, which
are very diverse in different orders, families, and sometimes great difierences
occur between sijecies.

NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

The larvae of insects present marked divert^ences from tlie normal
structure and occasional!}' appear to lack important t)rgans. The head is
usually present, the eyes are simple, sometimes absent, the antennae are
often very minute, the winijs are wanting, as are also the true leijjs in many
families. The abdomen is relatively much longer, and in certain groups at
least is provided with false legs or prolegs, which are of material service
in locomotion. It may be stated as a general rule, that the larvae of some
of the highest developetl insects arc the most helpless, degraded forms,
being dependent on the mother to place the c^g where food is of easy
access, or else they can attain maturity only with paternal aid, which in
some instances is bestowetl by a nurse form. Larvae; of the more lowly
organized insects are better able to provide for themselves, and those of
many species are relatively well equipped to meet the struggle for e.xistence,
some being much more powerful in the immature than in llie adult contli-
tion. This is particularly true of the May t^ies, some species of which
develop into a very short lived, weakly organized adult.

Important groups of insects a.fecting forest trees. A great many insects
occur on or in our different native trees and shrubs, though comparatively
few of them are of much economic importance, and these in turn belong
to still fewer important grou])s which have certain distinguishing features.

The bee family or four winged insects, known as Hymenoptera, con-
tribute two im])ortant groups, namely, the four winged gallflies or Cyni]j-
idae, and the sawllies or Tcnthredinidae. The former are not easily
distinguished as adults, though the deformities they produce in various
plant tissues can be confused only with those caused by certain other groups,
and then, after a little ex])erience, the galls of one group can easily be sepa-
rated from those of another. The sawflies are, many of them, leaf feeders
and some, gall makers. They may be readily distinguished in the larval
stage because of the many legs, having in acKlition to the 6 thoracic or true
legs, 12 to 16 abdominal prolegs. Several sawfly larvae are very voracious
and defoliate large areas ; for example, the well known larch sawfly of the
Adirondacks.

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES I I

The two winged flies or Diptera include comparatively few species
which are injurious to forest or shade trees, and most of these are of slitrht
importance. The gall-makino- midges, Cecidomyidae, cause deformities in
various plants, but ordinarily they are of little commercial importance.
They are easily distinguished from other galls, if they contain inhabitants,
by the peculiar jumping larvae which by bringing the extremities together
and then suddenly straightening, propel themselves an inch or more.

The beetles or Coleoptera are a group which includes some of the most
important and destructive enemies of trees. The llattencd, metallic Bupres-
tidae are frequently met with in bright daylight, and their legless, white
larvae are easily recognized by the enormous, flattened head and the more
or less flattened body .segments. They usually make wavy, irregular
galleries.

The long-horned l)orers or Cerambycidae, are generally rather large
beetles, somewhat cylindric in shape and with long antennae ; in some cases
they are enormously developed. The white larvae are normally legless,
usually rounded, and with the head only slightly flattened, and as a rule they
make well defined galleries more or less circular in section. This family
includes a large number of very destructix'e borers.

The leaf feeders or Chrysomelidae are relatively abundant on various
trees, and some species are exceedingly numerous. The beetles present a
somewhat \ariable a|)])earance both in color and shape, and the larvae are
equally diverse. The latter, normally, have six legs, with rounded body,
and freijuently there is an anal proleg ; as a rule they are leaf fec-ders.

The weevils or Curculionidae may be easily recognized by the distinct
snout and hard shell or I'xoskeleton. The wood-boring grubs belonging to
this family are legless, curled and thickened anteriorly, and may work
t:ither in Ijark or wood.

The i)arkor wood borers, .SciWytidae, are all small species, usually some-
what cylindric in shape and brown or black in color. Their wood-boring
larvae are legless, rountl, slightly thickened anleriorl\- and frequently smaller
than the erubs of weevils.

12 NEW VOKK STATE MlSEfM

The buttcrlly and motli family, Lcpitlojitcra. coiUributes some injurious
groups, and in adililion there are in certain famihcs a numlier ot destructive
species with no ec[ually injurious close relatives.

The old ((roup Bombycidac; included some of our most deslructi\e leaf
feeders, such as ihr white marked tussock moth, the fall wciiworm, the
imported .gipsy moth and others.

The' Cossidae are wood borers and include several rather destructive
forms, speciall}' th(r carpt-nter worm and the leopard moth.

The Sesiidae are also a family of borers, some of which are rather
injurious to forest trees.

Certain species of the true 1)ul;s or llemi|)lera are of considerable
importance because of their ilepredations on trees and shrubs. Possibly
the most injurious, though not usually considered so, are the plant lice,
which year after year make drafts on the vital lluiils of \arious plants and
some seasons cause very great injury. This was particularly true in 1898
and 1903. The scale insects belong here, and some of them cause serious
tlamage, not onl\' we-aki-ning trees i)ut in some instances killing them. This
is true of the cottony maple scale, 1' u 1 \ i n a r i a i n n u m e r a b i 1 i s Rathv.,
and also of the San Jose scale, .\ s p i d i o t u s perniciosus Comst.,
which latter is \er\' destructixe to certain ornamentals.

Certain of the other orders contain species of some economic impor-
tance, though most of them may be disregarded in this connection.

Literature. The American literature relating to forest c-ntomology is
not very abundant. The pioneer in this work was undoubtedly Dr Asa
Fitch, practically the tirst state entomologist, who gave considerable space
to the subject in both his fourth and fifth reports, thereby leaving records
of great value. These publications were followed by Bulletin 7 of the
United .States luitomological Commission, prepared by I)r Packard, who in
1890 extended that into the xoluminous and \aluable tilth report of the
commission, a work which is a veritable storehouse full of information. A
number of later writers have treated of certain phases of the subject, par-
ticularh- Dr I Io|)kins, who is easilv the American authority on the Scolyt-

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 1$

idae. Several valuable biologic monographs treating of groups specially
injurious to trees have appeared, besides a number of bulletins giving
accounts of from one to several insects attacking various trees. The fol-
lowing are some of the principal references to this group, particular atten-
tion being given to New York .State publications:
1857 Fitch, Asa. Inserts Infesting Evergreen Forest Trees. Ins. N. Y. 4th Rep't,

P- 5-67. .

1858 Insects Infesting Deciduous Forest Trees. Ins. X. \ . 5th Rep t, ]>. 1-74.

18S1 Packard, A. S. Insects Injurious to Forest and Shade Trees. U. S. Rnt. Com.

IJul. 7, p. 1-275-
,8^0 Insects Injurious to Forest and Shade Trees. U. S. Ent. Com. 5tli Rep't,

P- 1-945-
1893 Hopkins, A. D. Catalogue of West Virginia Scolytidae and their Enemies. W. Va.

.\gric. E.xp. Sta. Bui. 31, \'. 121-68.

i8g3 Catalogue of West Virginia Forest and Shade Tree Insects. W. Va. .\gric.

Exp. Sta. Bui. 32, 11. 171-251.

1895 Packard, A. S. First Memoir on the Bombycine Moths. Nat. .\cad. Sci. 7:

291.

1896 Marlatt, C. L. Revision of the Nematinae of North .\merica. U. S. Dep't .-\gric.

Div. Ent. Tec h. ser. 3, )). i-i35-
1898 Felt, E. P. Insects Injurious to ^Staple Trees. Forest, Fish and Game Com. 4th

Rep't, p. 367-95-
1899 Insects Injurious to Elm Trees. Forest, Fish and Game Com. 5th Rep't,

1901 Beutenmuller, William. Monograph of the Sesiidae of America North of

Mexi(c). Am. .\Ius. Nat. Hist. Mem. 6. p. 217-352.
1901 Hopkins, A. D. Insect Enemies of tlie Spruce in the Northeast. U. S. Dep't

.\gri( . Div. Ent. liul. 28, n. s., ]). 1-48.
1903 Felt, E. P. Insects Affecting Forest Trees. Forest, Fish and Game Com. 7th

Rep't, p. 479-534-
Transformations of insects. The wonderful changes accompanying the
development of insects add much to the interest attaching to their study,
and the great diversity between the different stages renders recognition of a
species in its various forms exceedingly difficult. The transformations of
insects are of interest not only to the biologist, but also to the economic

14

NEW YORK STATE MVSEUM

entomoloijist who seeks some melhod of controlling^ injurious species. A
knowledije of the life history and habits of an insect pest is almost essential
to a person attempting to control it, because there is usually some weak
point in its life history which may he taken advantage of in devising a
practical mi-tiiod of keeping it in check. The haljits of insects are con-
sequently of great practical importance.

Egg. All insects develop from eggs which i)reseiU widely variable forms
in different species and are frecpiently of e.xceedingly beautiful design.
They may be placed rn clustt-rs, bunches or singly ; on or in leaves, bark,
food products, etc.; tucked in all manner of crevices, dropped at random in
the grass, or buried in the soil. They may be arranged in single or double
rows, placed in bands about a twig, left unj^jrotected or covered with hairs
or scales or sheltered by a gummy secretion. A great many eggs are
nearly smooth and globular, but those of many butterllies and some moths
are somewhat elongated, delicately ribbed and with the surface broken into
innumerable smaller areas by minor riilges. The eggs of a number of true
bugs are nearly barrel-shapeil and are crowned with a ring of small sjiines.
Certain minute fruit flies ( 1 )ros()i)hila) deposit theirs in tU-caying fruit and
were it not for tlu- curious api)endages extending on the surface of the
semili(|tiid nidus, the embrNo wouKl probably suffocate for want of air.
The lace-winged lly (Chrysopaj is of interest because of her peculiar stalked
eggs [pi. 20, fig. 18^1 placed in clusters on leaf or twig This curious
arrangement is believed to be for the jjurpose of prexcnting earlier hatching
individuals from devouring their unde\'elopeil relaiixcs. The eggs of a
Californian red spider, T e I r a n \- c h us m \- 1 i 1 a s p i d i s, are remarkal)le '
for the umbrella handlelike stem projecting in tin- air. from the tip of which
strantls of silk railiatc- an<l are attached at a little distanci' to the sui)porting
surface. This tlevice jjrobably affords mor.- security on account ot the
elastic fastening. Man)- insect eggs are depositetl in masses and their form
is frequently modified by the supporting surface or surrounding eggs.
Some species, like the tussock moth and the tent caterpillar, protect their

' 1902 Wootlworth, C. \V. Cal. Agric. Exp. Sta. Bill. 145, p. 5.

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 1 5

ova with cementlike secretions. Others, hke the gipsy moth and the brown
tail moth, cover theirs with scales or hairs from the body, and still others
depend on a protective resemblance and either oviposit in conspicuous
places or lay them so flatly, as in the case of the nearly transparent eggs of
some species of leaf rollers, that they escape all but the sharpest scrutiny,
even when on the exposed surface of a leaf. Those interested in ingenious
devices for concealing or protecting these delicate objects, or who are
attracted by beauty of form and sculpture, will find the study of insect eggs
a fascinating one. In certain cases the ova or eggs hatch within the body
of the parent, while from others young appear about nine months after
deposition. The larvae of a few species of insects are, known to possess
the somewhat anomalous power of producing young under certain
conditions.

N'o ))ictamorpliosis. Members of the very lowest or simplest order of
insects, the Thysanura, which includes forms such as snow Heas, slides or
silver fish and their allies undergo no transformation, i. e. there is very
little or no difference, except in size, between recently hatched young and
adults.

Incomplete met amor pilosis. Grasshoppers and other related insects have
what is known as an incomplete metamorphosis or transformation, which
means that there is a gradual development through a succession of active
stages to the adult. The immature individuals are frequently spoken of as
nymphs, and our best authorities confine this term to the young of forms
having an incomplete metamorphosis. The young grasshopper, as it
emerges from the egg, is a curious wingless little creature, bearing a general
resemblance to the adult, and one which can easily be recognized as a grass-
hopper. The little fellow increases in size, and from time to time casts its
skin because the comparative inelasticity of the epidermis, or exoskeleton
permits of only a limited expansion. The wing pads become longer with
each molt, and in the final change the wing cases are slipped off and the
organs of Bight are at liberty to perform their proper functions. The wing
pads may be nearly as long as the fully developed wings in the stage pre-

1 6 NEW VOKK STATE MLSEUM

cc-din^ tlic full g^rown condition, but the two may easily be separated by the
position of these organs. The fore wings of the adult fold over and con-
ceal the hind ones, while in the immature grasshopper the hind wing pads
are outside of the fore ones. Many insects like the cockroaches, walking
sticks, true bugs and dragon flies develop in this manner, though the earlier
stages of all do not resemble the adult so closely as do those of grass-
hoppers. There are more marked differences between the nymphal stage
of the dragon tly and the adult than obtain in many insects having an
incomplete metamorphosis, and these insects are grouped with the others
because there is no resting period accompanied by marked changes such as
occurs in most insects undergoing a complete metamorphosis.

Complete uietauiorphosis. The most marked changes in development
are seen in insects such as moths, butterflies, flies, beetles etc., which undergo
what is known as a complete metamorphosis or transformation. Compara-
tively few understand the relations existing between the voracious caterpil-
lar, the quiet pupa or brightly colored chrysalis and the beautiful moth or
butterfly.

Larva. It is very convenient to distinguish between the young of those
insects having a complete and an incomplete metamorphosis and this term
is frequently limited to the young of the former class, which are commonly
known as grubs, maggots, caterpillars and frequently, though improperly,
as worms. The young caterpillar emerges from the egg and at once begins
feeding. This is the period of growth and most injurious insects commit
their depredations when urged by the voracious appetite of adolescence and
the several molts occurring during this period are largely to permit increase
of size. .\n im]jending molt is indicated by the caterpillar appearing dump-
ish, neglecting its food, followed later by a retraction of the head from its
old case and a consequent swelling of the thoracic segments. Soon the old
integument splits over the newly developed head case, the caterpillar slowly
emerges from its old skin, leaving it in a collapsed, shriveled condition.
One of the readiest methods of ascertaining if a molt has taken place is to
look for the empty head case or to measure the width of the head, since a

IXSECTS AFFECTIXG PARK AXD WOODLAND TREES 17

marked increase in size usually indicates a molt. Ur H. G. Dyar' has shown
that a nearly constant ratio exists between the widths of the head of a cater-
pillar in its various stages. It is interesting to nt)te in this connection that
some species of female lepidopterous larvae have an additional molt.
Ecdysis in forms having an incomplete metamorphosis is practically the
same as that described for a caterpillar except that it is usually accompanied
by a greater change in form or a nearer approach to the external appear-
ance of the adult.

The larvae belonging to one order present many diversities of structure
but they may all be considered as developments from a more simple or gen-
eralized form. A comparison of those belonging to various orders will
reveal certain analogies and it will be .seen that those less highly developed
possess many features in common with the lowest or simplest insects, the
Thysanura. They all have, generally speaking, a distinct head, well devel-
oped mouth parts, simple eyes, 6 thoracic legs and an abdomen destitute of
true legs. The membranous prolegs of hymenopterous, coleopterous and
lepidopterous larvae are secondary developments to meet the necessities of
existence and vary in number from a large anal one among man)- beetles to
1 6 in some sawflies. The same is also true of other structures, such as
spines, hairs and tul^ercles, for while these modify the appearance of the
bearer very much, they are of secondary importance.

The larvae of some of the more highly developed insects, such as bees
and (lies, are legless, and have a very small head and poorly developed
mouth parts. The explanation of this may be found in the fact that these
larvae are not compelled to make any effort to obtain food. The young of
bees are fed by their parents and those of flesh flies and of many parasites
tind themselves surrounded by sustenance. The same is true of species
living in decaying vegetable matter or in many vegetable galls. One of
nature's laws is that useless organs must eventually disappear and the
degraded or apparently undeveloped condition of these larvae must be
regarded as the result of their manner of living. Bearing in mind this law,

'Psyche. 1890. 5:420.

l3 NliW VOKK STATE MLSELJi

it IS easy to see how these let^less, de^jraded forms could have been derivea
from the more common txpe tliroii^jh a reduction of their various ors^ans.

The hirval stage is fretjuently of prime importance to the economic
entomologist because it is while in this form that many insects commit their
greatest depredations. The young of our sawtlics may be recognized by
their usually cylindric form and by their having 1 8 to 22 legs including the
6 true or thoracic legs, while caterpillars or larvae of butterflies and moths
are usually provided with froni 8 to 16. The young of the more highly
developed bees and Hies, as previously stated, are footless, maggot-like
creatures and the young of most beetles possess the 6 thoracic legs and are
often provided with a fleshy appendage at the posterior extremity, though
in some, such as snout beetles and many wootl borers, all the usual
locomotive appendages are wanting.

The larval stage of insects, likt- the others, may be met with under
\cry diverse conditions and in all seasons of the year, though its dura-
lion in each species is usually somewhat closely limited. The caterpillar
I pi. 7, fig. i| sheds its skin when full grown and changes to a pupa, a
stage which is frecpiently svibconical and often of a brownish incon-
spicuous color.

Pupa. The assuminion of this stage is usually preceded by the larva
betaking itself to some sheltered place where a protective cocoon or cell
may be prepared. The cocoon may be very delicate and netlike as in the
clover leaf weevil, P h y t o n o m u s p u n c t a t u s P'abr. or with an outer net
and inner close woven cocoon as in Climacia or a more or less homo-
geneous silken covering as in the common silkworm. .Some native species
incorporate leaves or jjortions of ihcni in their cocoons like the- promelhea
moth. The larvae of many moths construct very perfect earthern cells m
which to undergo their final transformations while others depend on the
partial shelter of a crevice or curh-d U-af. Many butlertlit-s undergo trans-
formations in exposed situations and their chrysalids present some interest-
ing adaptations to surrounding objects. The angular protectively colored
chrysalis of the spiny elm caterpillar [pi. 10, fig. 10] is an exceedingly

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES IQ

interestini^- object and the daintily colored one of the monarch butterny,
though conspicuous when removed fron: its natural surroundint,rs, is not
often detected in the field. The i)upa is usually conical or subconical in
form with the rudimentar> antt'unae, wino^s and le.^s closely appressed to
the breast. It may be conceahd by the last larval skin which usually turns
brown, hardens and then is known as the puparium, as in many flies. '1 he
unsheltered pupae of many Ijeetles are i)rotectively colored or rendered
inconspicuous by morphologic resemblances. This stage is specially a
period of transformation and reorganization.

Adult. The comparatively simple caterpillar changes into the delicate
highly organized moth or butterfly, which in due time emerges from the
shroudlike pupal case. This last stage, contrary to popular belief, is not
marked by growth. ITies of various sizes belong to different species ; the
larger are not parents of the smaller. Some species take no food in the
adult condition. A few moths are wingless and simply emerge, deposit
their eggs in a few days and die, l)ut the majority consume enough to sus-
tain life for a longer period and not a few winter in this stag(>. The mam
object of the adult existence is to provide for the perpetuation of the
species and death usually follows soon after.

This stage is marked b)- great iliversity of form ami the study of
perfect insects in particular and the relation of one to another forms the
basis of systematic entomolog>-. The elaborate classification now recog-
nized is not the work of one man or evi:n of a single generation, but repre-
sents the combined efforts of many students from the time of Linnaeus and
others to the present.

Hibernation. The winter is a period i)f comparative quiet and few
insects are seen in this latitude. The first inference is that most of them
have died or disappeared somewhere and the rigors of our climate undoul;t-
edl\- kill many, yet vast numbers pass the winter in safety and are readily
found after a little searching. Some species, as previously stated, hibernate
in the (^^^ stage. The tent caterpillars, the white marked tussock moths
and certain predaceous bugs are familiar examples of this method of win-

20 NEW VOKK STATE MUSELM

tcrins^. llu- half j^rrown caterpillars or larvae of certain iiKuhs hibernate in a
dormant condition in the shelterini; ijrass antl in the sprinter resume feediniif
and complete their j^rowth. The partly grown Inid moth in its cleverly con-
cealed silken case, sheltered by a protuberance on the twig, and the firmly
attached shelters of case bearers with tlun'r tiny f)ccupants, are familiar exam-
ples of insects wintering in the catcr])illar or larval stage. Many species, pos-
sibly the majority, hibernate in the pu[jal stage, which, usually passed in
a secure and well liiddcn retreat, naturally affortls much jjrotection from tiie
elements, and as a consecpience, hibernation in this form involves less risk
than wintering in some other. A large number of insects pass the winter as
adults in various sheltered places. Examples of these are manv bugs,
beetles and even delicate moths and butterflies can withstand the extreme
cold of our climate, and some forms are apparently able to survive the win-
t(;r in either the lar\al, jjupal or ailalt condition. It is not the degree of
ct)ld that is fatal to insects so much as r('])('atcil thawings and freezings or a
sudden change from one to llu- other. It is a well known fact that caterpil-
lars may be frozen stiff ami rc\ivi'd, but lhc\- perish after this is rejieated
several times.

Parasitic and predaceous insects. These two. groups of insects are
exceedingly important in controlling insect outbreaks, and occasionally they
may be the principal agents in reducing the numbers of a serious insect
enemy.

The studies of Dr L. ( ). Howard' have thrown a flood of light on
the intricate relations which nia\- exist bcLween a notorious pest and its
insect eninnics. The while marked tussock niolh, 1 1 e m e r o c a ni p a 1 e u-
costigma Abb. cK; .Sm., was exceedingh abundant in Washington and the
opportunity was seized Ijy l)r Howard to make the al)o\e mentioned stuily.
He succeeded in rearing from this insect 15 species of primary hymcnop-
terous parasites and listed three others as jjrobably having the same habits.
He also bred six primary dipterous parasites from this insect, making a total
of 2\ and probably 24 species, which depend to a greater or less extent on

' 1897 U. S. Dep't Agric. Div. Ent. Tech. Ser. i. p. 1-57.

INSECTS AFFECTING I'ARK AND WOODLAND TREES 21

this leaf feeder for their sustenance. 1 hi- relations eNistiny between this
insect ami its parasites were further complicated b)- the presence of 14
species of hyperparasites, some of which lixc on iheir associates, and were
therefore parasites of hyperparasites.

This study also resulted in the breedinu- of i 1 species of flies from
cocoon masses of this pest. Insect enemies of this species were so abun-
dant in Washington in the autumn of 1895 ^^^'^^ they destroyed about go/v
of the larvae, as estimated l)y l)r Howard.

The etficiencv of the parasites of the forest tent caterpillar, M a 1 a c o-
soma disstria Hiibn. has been brought to the writer's attention on
several occasions in recent years. In one instance he found that from
90 to Q5'^f' of the caterpillars in one locality had been killed by insect ene-
mies. These two illustrations, and others might be cited, give some idea of
the importance of these forms. Insect enemies are also noticed in the fol-
lowing accounts in connection with the species on which they prey, and
the reader, by consulting them, may easily note the number of species prey-
ing on an injurious form, and in most cases gain some idea of their habits.
The great value of insect enemies makes it very desirable to become some-
what familiar with the general characteristics of the more important of
these groups.

J'ara.u'h-s. True parasites are distinguished from the predaceous insect
by differences in habits. The parasites, in many instances, work internally
and are comparatively easy to breed from their hosts, while our evidence
regarding the value of predaceous forms rests very largely on their being
found in association with a species, or on their being observed depredating
on the pest. The true j^arasites belong to several families of Hymenop-
tera and to one in the Diptera. Many of our largest and most important
true parasites, such for example as species of Pimpla, Ojjhion, '1 halessa,
and others, belong to the Ichn^umonidae, a ver\- large family, the mem-
bers of which are distinguished by their wasplike appearance and by their
having the abdomen usually flattened as though by pressure from above,
and with the first abdominal seement bent at nearlv right angles.

NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

The Braconidac include some very important parasites, specially of
wood-borinL,^ larvae and of a numljcr of leaf feeders. This group may be
best recognized by such species as B r a c o n simplex Cress., a form which
is well known to live on a number of borers, and also by the tiny Micro-
gasters, minute species which frccpicntly occur in immense numbers in our
larger leaf feeders, and when maturity is attained, make their way out
through the body wall of their hosts and spin tiny, nearly cylindric, snow
white cocoons on the Ixuly of the victim, as represented at plate 44, figure 2.

The Evaniidae or ensign Hies, as they are termed by Professor Corn-
stock, constitute a parasitic group wdiich may be easily recognized by the
peculiar manner in which the abdomen is carried. The latter is quite
slender, attached to the dorsum of the metathora.x, and is carried in an
elevated position resembling a flag or ensign.

The Chalcididae comprise an immense number of very small parasites,
some of which are exceedingly valuable agents in controlling our native
insects. A number of species are noticed in connection with their hosts and
the general characteristics of the group may be learned by reference to
sui)sequent pages.

The Proctotrypidae in s|)ite of the long family name, arc smaller insects
than the preceding and a numlicr of them are well known as important egg
parasites of some of our more injurious species.

Practically all of the dipterous parasites belong to the Tachinitlae, a
large- family which com])rises forms having much tlu' a[)pcaranct: of the
common hovise tly. These insects are more general in their food habits
than most of the hymenopterous jjarasites and fre(]uently attack insects
l)elonging to \ery different groups. ()ccasionall\- niem!)ers of this family
are exceedingly abundant and have a very important part in reducing the
numbers of some insect pest. This is particularly true of the notorious
army worm, HeIio])liila tini])uncta llaw. It has been recorded in
connection with this latter insect that its parasites are sometimes so abundant
as to appear in swarms about their victims and it is by no means uncommon
to meet with an army worm bearing from 6 to 7 or even more pearly white

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 23

oval eggs, which arc usually deposited just behind the head of the victim.
It was formerl)- considered that such larvae were doomed, but more careful
investigations have shown that if the eggs are laid shortly before the
bearer molts, the skin ma\' be shed before the grubs can hatch and pene-
trate the body of their prey.

Prcdaccoiis iiiscc/s. These are also valuabk: allies in controlling some
of our more important insect pests. The large social wasps are known to
prey to some extent upon the forest tent caterpillar, Malacosoma
disstria Hiibn., anil the solitar\- wasps, Eumeniclae, also attack various
forms. A large group of beetles, known as the Carabidae or ground l)eetleSj
are almost entirely predaceous in habit, and undoubtedh- aid to a con-
siderable extent in reducing the number of various insects, particularly of
those species which descend to the ground at sometime during their exist-
ence. These beetles are very voracious and some of them are credited
with destroying many more insects than they can possibly devour.

The Cleridae or checkered beetles are exceedingly valuable allies of
the lumbermen, since they occur very commonly on forest trees, particularly
on those infested with various bark and wood borers. It is by no means
micommon to find their reddish, brown-headed larvae in the bin-rows of
such beetles as Tomicus and related genera, and considerable numbers of
adults may be observed on logs and trees badly infested with these
insects. Both adults and larvae are exceedingly voracious and undoubt-
edly accomplish much in controlling borers.

The lady beetles, or Coccinellidae, constitute another exceedingly valu-
able group. The adults and the larvae are quite voracious, and are notable
for their fondness for various species of plant lice and scale insects. The
abundance of any members of these two groups is usually followed shortly
thereafter by the presence of a great many lady beetles and their young,
which feed on adults and young of the pests, and not infreciuently do very
much toward reducing their numbers.

There are a few of the darkling beetles, Tenebrionidac, credited with
being predaceous in habit and as these are found in decaying wood, it is

24 ^E\\ VOKK STATE ML'SEL'M

very likely that the\- may reinlcr sonic service in checkini^ the work of
injurious species in such situations.

Another j^roup of predaceous insects which is of consitleralilc impor-
tance, is tile dipterous family of llower llies, Syrphidae. This contains a
larifc number of species and some are known to he exceedinj^ly valuable
on account of their larvae preyin<r on plant lice. Ihe egt^s are laid by
the female among prosperous colonies of these little insects antl the young
hatching therefrom proceed to devour their victims, and when the flies are
at all abundant, the little pests arc soon reduced to harmless numbers.

Certain llcmi])tera belonging to the family Pentatomidae, are well
known because of their fondness for other insects. The species of Podisus
and Euschistus, popularly known as soldier bugs, are som(;times present in
considerable numbers and uiKloubtedl)- render material aid in controlling
some injuricnis forms. The writer has observed Podisus placidus
I' 111., numerous in and about the nests of the a|)|)le tent caterpillar,
Malacosoma americana bal)r. These little bugs wert; seen to
attack caterpillars live times their size anil sla\- them. As many as six or
seven were found within one nest and a numljer in the near vicinity. The
presence of this or relaleil sjx-cies in such large numbers means the
destruction of a great many caterpillars.

There are some other ]jredaceous insects in the north of less impor-
tance than those mentioned abo\e. .\ niiml)er of species belonging to
the Hemipterous family Reduxiidae ar(! well known on account of their
living on other insects, and several members of this famil\- have come into
lirominence because of occasional bites inflicted on man. .Several mem-
bers of the grasshopper order, Orthoptera, are beneficial on account of their
destroying various insects. The white flower crickets are common mem-
bers of this family and while the adults are injurious because of the punc-
tures they mak(; in canes and small twigs, and holes in certain fruits, they
possess the valuable habit of devouring a great many small insects.

The southern ])ra\ing mantis, S i a g m o ni a n t i s Carolina Linn., is
a well known souihern species which preys on a great many insects, and the

INSECTS AFFECTIXC PARK AND VVOOULAXD TREES 25

related European mantis, Mantis relij^iosa Linn., which has recently
become established in \e\v \'ork State, and has been distributed to several
localities through the efforts of the writer, may occui))- '^ similar [josition in
the northern states, should it prove- aljli- to withstand the severities of oiu'
winters and become somewhat abundant, as appears \cry probable.

GENERAL PREVENTIVE MI'.A.SL RE.S

The control of insects, ])articularl\- in forests, nnist lie effected very
largely through the activity of natural agents, which shoidd be encouraged
in every possible way. It is ordinarily impractical to attemi^t much in
either a preventive or a remedial way, in the forests of the L'nited .States.

Birds. Among repressive measures perhaps nothing is so effective in
forest entomolog)-, as encouraging or protecting the natm-al enemies of
insects depredating on the trees, chief among which may be ranked our
native insectivorous liirtls. Considerable has been written on this subject
in recent years, and whih- it is undoubtedly true that there are two sides to
the question, it is (|uite certain that birds are exceedingly useful checks
on some of our more destructive insects. The recent widespread and
tlisastrous outbreaks of the forest tent caterpillar, Malacosoma
disstria Hiibn., in New \'ork may be charged, in |)art at least, to the
abnormal scarcity of birds. The investigations of Dr William T. Hornaday
of the New York Zoological Society, show that in this State there has been
a decrease of about 48;:^ in the number of our l)irds dm-ing the past 15 years.
These figures, taken in connection with the enormous numijer of insects our
feathered friends devom-, are very significant.

The following observations from Mr E. H. Forbush,' ornithologist to
the Massachusetts State Board of Agriculture, give an excellent idea of the
voracity of birds.

Birds are remarkably active and energetic creatures, recjuiring a tre-
mendous amount of food to sustain them in their efforts and to repair the
waste of the tissues.

Some of the smaller birds require on!)- half an hour to an hour and

1904 N. J. State Bd. Agric. jrst Rep't 1903. p. 192-9,5.

26 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

one half to completely digest a full meal, anil the stomach is filled many
times each day. The rapidly growing- young need far more food in propor-
tion to their size than the old birds. An adult crow will eat about eight
ounces of food tlaily. .A young crow nearly fledged re(|uires at least lo
ounces.

Professor Treadwell found that a young robin needed one half its own
weight in solid beef or 48 % more than its own weight in worms daily,
to secure its healthy growth and development. It is now well known that
to these remarkable appetites we owe the repression of many of our insect
enemies. The smaller land birds feed largely upon insects. Where insects
are numerous birds eat them with almost incredible rapitlit)-. My assistant,
Mr F. H. Mosher, saw a pair of tanagers eat 35 newly hatched caterpillars
in a minute. They continued eating these minute insects at this rate for 18
minutes; so that, if Mr Mosher's count is correct, they must have eaten in
this short time 630 of the little creatures. This would not make them a
full meal, as the entire number would hardly be ecjual in bulk to one full
grown caterpillar.

By carefully watching two Maryland yellowthroats and counting the
plant lice they ate, he estimated that they destroyed 7000 within an hour, a
thing almost incredible, but still possible, when we consider the exceedingly
small size of the insects at the time, their swarming numbers, the activity of
this warbler and its remarkably rapid digestion. I)r Judd speaks of a letter
received from Mr Robert H. Coleman, in wiiich he says of a palm warbler,
that it must have killetl 9500 insects in about 4 hours. These may be
e.xtreme cases, but even if we halve the numbers gi\cn, ihcy will still serve
to show the bird's possibilities for good.

The remarkable appetites of the }oung ijirds keep their |)arents very
busy. The old birds usually carry to the )oung from 1 to 1 2 insects at
each visit to the nest, although some visits are made for other purposes. A
pair of vireos visited the nest 125 times in 10 hours. A pair of chippies
made nearly 200 visits to their young in a day. Martins have been seen to
visit their young 312 times in 14 hours. Rose-breasted grosbeaks made 436
calls at the nest in i 1 hours. House wrens have been .seen to enter the nest
from 30 to 71 times an hour.

In view of these facts we ma\. in time, conic lo gi\c crctlit to the state-
ment of Professor Wood that the daily food of a robin is ecpial in bulk to
an earth worm 14 feet in length. He tells us that were a man possessed of
proportionate food capacity he could consume each day 67 feet of a sau.sage
9 inches in circumf(;rence.

The following facts recorded by Messrs Mosher and Kirkland' working

under the direction of Afr Forbush, are of great interest, since they give

■1899 Mass. Cro]) Rep't. Sej). p. 31-32.

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 27

detailed information concerning the voracity of certain t^rds feeding upon
gipsy moth caterpillars, a species of much importance not only to Massa-
chusetts but to the entire northeastern United States.

GIPSY MOTH CATERPILLARS EATEN BY BIRDS

May 12 A yellow warbler ate 15 caterpillars in less than 5 minutes.
May 12 A Nashville warbler ate 42 caterpillars in ;;.' hour, in the mean-
time taking many more.
May 18 A scarlet tanager ate upwards of 30 caterpillars within 5 minutes.
May 1 8 Two scarlet tanagers together ate small caterpillars at the rate of

35 a minute for 18 minutes.
May 20 A crow blackbird ate 40 caterpillars in a little over 3 minutes.
May 26 A Maryland yellowthroat ate 52 caterpillars while movmg in and

out among trees. Time not taken.
May 26 A redstart ate 31 caterpillars while moving about. Time not taken.
A red-eyed vireo ate. in four brief visits to an infested tree, 37
caterpillars.
July 1 ^ A yellow-billed cuckoo ate i every 2 minutes for 36 minutes.

A red-eyed vireo ate 73 in 40 minutes.
July 14 A yellow-billed cuckoo ate 81 in 48 minutes.

July 15 A 'towhee ate 7 pupae and 2 caterpillars in a very short time.
Exact time not noted.
These facts indicate that birds must he exceedingly effective checks on
outbreaks of such leaf feeders. This record is by no means exceptional as
may be seen in the following paragraph by Mr E. H. I'orbush :'

As showing the large numbers of these caterpillars eaten by birds, a
few notes from Mr Mosher's observations will be of interest. A black-billed
cuckoo was seen to eat 36 forest tent caterpillars within 5 minutes. Ked-
eyed vireos (probably a pair) took 92 forest tent caterpillars from a tree
within an hour. They were also eating span worms and other larvae and
plant lice. A male Baltimore oriole went into a tree infested by these cat-
erpillars, where he stayed 4 minutes, killing 18 caterpillars in that time ;
comino- a little later he stayed 7 minutes, and took 26 caterpillars. A pair
of blue jays came to the tree 24 times during 3 hours, taking 2 or 3 cater-
pillars at each visit.

Those not familiar with bird life will be surprised to know how many
species prey on injurious insects. Mr Forbush has recently published a

' 1900 Mass. Crop Rep't. July. p. 29-

28 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

list' of 46 s])ecics known lo fcctl on ihc j^nps) niolli, I' o r l li r i r i a il i s-
par Linn. I Ir lias foinul 25 fcciliii!^ on thr importi-tl ln'own tail moth
catiTijillar, !•! u p r o c t i s c h r \- s o r r h o c- a Linn., 25 feeding- on the forfsl
tent calcT|)iliar, .M a 1 a c o s o in a (lis stria Hiihn., 32 fccdint;- on the
apple* tent caterjjillar, .M a 1 a cos o m a a m c r i c a n a Ivilir., and 5 1 feeding
on cankerworms. Dr .\. 1). llopkins in a recent bulletin- states that wood-
peckers "are the most imporianl enemies of spruce hark hectics, and appear
to be of inestimai>le value to the s|)riice timber interests of the Northeast."
Of man\' hundreds of infested trees cxamiiu-d b\- him, he is confident that at
least one half of the beetles and their nouiil^" had been destroyed by the
birds, and in many cases it was e\i(lcnt that e\('n a greater proportion had
perished irom this cause alone. lie aiKls that estimating 100 beetles to the
.square foot ol bark, and an a\crage of 60 sepiare feet of infested iiark, it is
possible for each tree to \ ield an average of 6000 individuals ; 100 trees,
600,000, and so on. It is therefore ])lain, that if one half or two thirds are
destroyeil b\' the birds and other enemies, the amount of limber the remain-
d(-r kills will be much lessened ; specially is this true because the beetles
must be present in great numbers before they can o\ercome the natural
resistance of the li\ing trees to injurw

lie also gi\-es a list ol the common ami scientilic names of the wood-
l^eckers ot northern Xc'w 1'lngland, j)reparetl for him b\- 1 )r C Hart Met-
riam, chief of the liiological .Surxcy, I'nited .States Department of Agricul-
ture. It is to llu-se binls that 1 )r llojjkins refers, though no evidence was
obtained at that time as to which species was to be credited with the largei
part of the beneticial work. The list follows:

Hairy woodpecker - - 1 ) r \- o b a t e s villosus

1 )()wny woodpecker - - I ) r y o b a t e s p u b e s c e n s m e d i a n u s

Arctic three-toeti woodpecker P i c o i tl e s a r c t i c u s

Handed three-toeil woodpecker L i c o i d e s a m e r i c a n u s

Yellow-bellied woodpecker - S p h y r a j) i c u s v a r i u s

'1900 Mass Crop Rep't. July p. ,54-

= 1901 U. S. !)t;i)'t .^gric, Div. Eiit. lUil. 28, n. s. ]>. 2^-2(>.

INSECTS AFFECTIXC; PARK AND WOOULAN U TKEE.^

29

and inspected ,i<T^''f^'yr-t^

Most of these -^jWr^
r high branches — ^||-"H:.;,v^V '■|#

Red-headed woodpecker M e 1 a n e r p e s (• r \- 1 h r o c e p h a 1 u s

Fhcker - - - - - C o 1 a p t e s a u r ;i t u s 1 u t e vi s

Pileated woodpecker - - C e o p h 1 o e us p i 1 e a t vi s a 1) i e t o r 11 m

The activity and efficiency of some of our native woodjjcckers is strik-

inidy shown hv the following notes published by Mr K. H. I'orl)ush.' 1 le

states that his friend, Mr C. E. Bailey observed a downy woodjxTker Mar.

28, 1899, make 26 excavations for food between 9.411 a. m., and 12.15 \). m.

The bird during this time climbed over and insi)ected

in a greater or less degree 181 trees

excavations exposed galleries in trunks or -,,, . . ., ,

In which ants were hibernating, and examination of the ?f 'i'*.f, *' p.|^

stomach of this bird disclosed one spider, one unidenti-
fied beetle, two scolytid larvae, 22 ants, and a mass of

partly digested material which could not be identified.

Mr Forbush continues the record and states that anoth(-r

downy woodpecker was observed Mar. 31 taking larva

and beetles from beneath the bark of oak trees. He

adds that the birds seem to know the exact spot to drill

for each larva as it always cuts a small hole directly

over the insect and invariably finds the prey. 1 he

splintered, bare piece of plum shown in figure i, only

a portion of several limbs, yards in length, also illus-
trates well the industry of these birds.

Mr E. H. Forbush, ' in connection with various assistants, has given

considerable attention in recent years to the economic value of a number of
our native birds, and has prepared a brief summar)- of the relative value of
certain families. His estimates are so valuable that they ar(> givcMi hen- in
the hopes that more may be led to recognize the importance of these forms
as checks on injurious insects, particularly in forests. The work had special
reference to the value of birds as checks on the gipsy moth and other hairy
caterpillars. His summary is practically as f ollows :

' 1900 Mass. Crop Rep't. July. p. 3^-
"1899 Mass. Crop Rep't. -Sep. p. 34-36-

I Work of woodpeckers
plumtree i„feste<l by fruit
■ bark beetle

30

NEW VOKK STATE MLSEUM
CUCULIDAE

Cuckoos

It is generally acknowledged that the cuckoos are an exception to the
usual rule that birds do not eat hairy caterpillars. There is no question as
to their value in this respect, and they feed mainly on medium sized and
larger caterpillars. The two common American species seem to prefer
hairy caterpillars to smooth ones, and their diet sometimes results in their
stomachs becoming lined with prickly hairs, the ends of which are imbedded
in the stomach walls. This, however, does not appear to inconvenience the
birds. Whether there is any other family that is as useful in this respect
as the cuckoos is still an open question. Our observations show that great
numbers are eaten by other birds.

JVooiilpcckcrs

Woodpeckers certainly do not destroy as many hairy caterpillars as the
cuckoos. They appear to take them only when tiu-y come in their way, fre-
quently maiming and killing without eating.

-I- V W ^\ ?< X 1 1 > A.E

/•'/yca/c/icjs

The llycatchers eat very few hairy caterpillars i)iit destroy a great many

imagos of the diurnal species, two kingbirds having been observed to kill

about 250 male moths of Po r t h e t r i a d i s p a r in less than three hours,

and many female moths as well. Man\- moths are destroyed on the wing

by llycatchers.

CORN' II.) A I-;

Crozes, ja ys clc.

This family is represented by the blue jay and crow, both species being
among the most useful in the destruction of medium sized and full grown
caterpillars. The observations on these birds made within the last three
years prove them to be more usc^ful in this respect than was suspected.
They are continually feeding ulurc outljreaks of hairy caterpillars occur,
eating both the caterpillars and pupae, and feeding them to their young.
These birds, because of their size and voracity, destroy large numbers of
larvae. Crov.s di-strov fully as many pupae as larvae.

ICTKWlrjAE

• Orioles

The Haltimort- oriole and crow blackbirtl are exceedingly useful. As
the feeding habits of these birds have become better known their usefulness
in destroying hairy caterpillars has been recognized. They eat mainly
medium sized and larger larvae.

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 3 1

FRIiNiOILLIUAE.

FincJi and sparroiv family

The finch and sparrow family is represented in Massachusetts by many
species, several of which do not appear in the list of those attacking hairy
caterpillars, but probably most sparrows eat such caterpillars to some extent.
The chipping sparrow, song sparrow, towhee and rose-breasted grosbeak
habitually feed on them. Several observers have seen the indigo bunting
attacking- them. The sparrows eat both large and small caterpillars.

TAN! AGRIDAEJ

Tanagers
The tanagers are potent enemies of hairy caterpillars wherever they
appear in numbers in the woods, feeding quite constantly on them. Our
later observations indicate that no bird is more useful in woodlands.

/ 'ircos
The vireos or warbling flycatchers are persistent caterpillar hunters and
destroy many of these creatures. They do not feed so readily on the full
grown caterpillars as on the smaller, but none are safe from their attacks.

JvINIOTILTIDAE

W'^arblcys

It was not till 1899 that the value of the w^arblers as caterpillar eaters
was fully established. As they are small birds and feed mainly on smaller
larvae, it is very tlifficult to determine by observation exactly what they
are feeding on.

A special effort was made during 1899 to secure accurate data in regard
to the destruction of the smaller hairy caterpillars by warblers. The result
has demonstrated that warblers are certainly among the most useful birds
in this respect, specially during the early part of the season, when most
larvae are small. They appear so fond of these larvae that they will even
climb about on the trunks of the trees to get them.

MiMixAK (sul)family )
M 01 king ill ruslics
Representi-d hv the catbird and brown thrasher. They are certainly
among the most useful birds. The catbird cats hairy caterpillars greedily,
destroying even those covered with spines, like the Euvanessa a n t i-
opa, and^feeds many caterpillars to its young. It eats full grown caterpil-
lars about as readilv as cuckoos, taking mainly those that have, perhaps,
escaped more arboreal birds by remaining in the shrulibery near the ground.

^2 NEW VOUK STATE MLSELM

Tl-<0<iUOnYTIOAK

Jl'rn/s

Tlu- house wren is the only species tliat has been seen by our observers
to cat hairv caterpillars. It can hardly be called a common birtl, and it has
only occasionally been seen to eat these caterpillars.

PARIDAE

Xitlhalclics and tiliiiicc

The chickadee, the common representative of the titmouse family, and
one of the most useful of all i)irds, is a <rreat destroyer of hairy caterpillars.
.\'ot only does it eat caterpillars of ;dl sizes, feedin^r them to its young, but
it destroys all forms of tiiese insects, except, perhaps, the eggs of some
species. Too much can not ije said in favor of this most useful and harmless
bird. Both species of nuthatch take these larvae only as they come in their
way on the trunks of trees, and not always even then.

XURRIOAK

Tliriixlifs

While the thrushes eat hairy catc-rpillars wlicn they come in their wa\\
they do not, with the e.xception of the robin, a|)pear to search them out.
The robin seems to be in this way the most useful of all thrushes. The
wood thrush and Wilson's thrush occasionally visit localities infested by the
caterpillars and cat a few, but the robin visits them frequent!)' and eats
many. The thrushes eat mainly the larger caterpillars.

The bluebird is useful in destroj'ing most forms of these insects, Iiut as
bluebirds are not plentiful in the infested region the opportunity for obser-
vation has not been so good as in the case of some other species.

Prof. .S. A. Forbes, state entomologist of Illinois, has made an extended
study of the food habits of different birds and he estimates that there are
about 10,000 insects per acre; over the entire stale, and on this basis con-
cludes that if the operations of birds were suspended entirely for a period
of seven years, the entire state would !>(■ carpeted with insects, one to the
s(|uare inch. Professor Forbes gives this as an illustration, liy no means as
a prediction, and it certainly is a graphic wav of stating the high value he
places on bird life as a means of checking the depredations of insect pests.
Professor I-'orbes has estimated that should the ])eopIe of the state apply
appropriate measures to increase the efticiency of bird life in destroying
insects, even if it was no more than \'',, the agriculturists of that state would
be saved $76,000 a yc^ar at the lowest, and ])robaI)ly five times that amount.

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK A\U WOODLAND TREES 2i2i

Mr E. H. F"orbush in a recent publication ' has made some recommen-
dations which, if adopted, should result in increasing the number of useful
birds in woodlands :

Some practical lessons have been learned from studying the food of
wood birds. As birds go where they find food most abundant, many birds
of the swamp, field and orchard go from their usual haunts, }4 mile or more,
to the woods to feed on insects plentiful there. Thus the bobolink in the
meadow o-oes to the woods for aphids, and the oriole in the orchard and the
blackbird in the marsh go there for caterpillars. On the other hand, the
chickadee, blue jay, tanager and the warblers go from the woods to the
orchards and gardens for caterpillars. In an orchard near the woods we
noticed that the wood birds came frequently to those trees nearest the
woods, and by adding their work to that of those living in the orchard,
soon cleared the cankerworms from the trees nearest the woods.

All our experience thus far goes to show that a well watered country,
where the woodland is kept mainly in detached patches, with the rest of the
land more open, much of it well cultivated, with an occasional marsh or
swamp, is the best calculated to encourage the increase of the largest num-
ber of species of birds. In such a country vegetation should therefore
receive better protection from birds than elsewhere. In view of these facts,
it is possible for a man owning from 30 to 100 acres of land to so select his
land and control the growth of vegetation upon it as to obtain conditions
attractive to an abundance and variety of birds. The first requisite is a
plenty of suitable food, and for this a variety of vegetation is desirable.
This provides not only a variety of fruit and seeds, but furnishes food for a
large variety of insects, which will attract the birds. It is especially desir-
able to have both wild and cultivated cherries and grapes, and if the birds
take too large a proportion of the cultivated species, the earlier wild berries,
like the Russian mulberry, and the shadberry, should be planted to draw
the bird's attention from the cultivated fruit. Winter food may be furnished
birds by planting mountain ash, sumach, bayberry and other berries which
cling to the trees or shrubs bearing them during the winter months. The
winter birds may be induced to remain in some numbers by hanging bones,
suet or portions of any carcass in sheltered places on the trees. These will
furnish food for them when the trees are covered with ice, and will keep
them in the neighborhood during the coldest weather. Sunflower seeds,
broken nuts and grain will sometimes attract winter birds.

Having secured food the birds must have shelter from the elements
and their enemies. This may be provided by planting thick evergreen
trees in groups and allowing a deciduous thicket here and there. Nesting
boxes should be provided for those birds which will use them and such

' 1900 Mass. Oo]) Rep't. July. p. .li^-jQ-

34

NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

boxes will shelter many a bird from winter storms. Nesting material, such
as straw, feathers, waste strintj etc., should be hung on limbs during the
nesting season. It will soon be utilized. Having made a locality attractive
to birds they must be protected and fostered. Birds soon learn to love a
place where they receive a measure of protection from their enemies. We
may protect them :

1 By doing away with cats, so far as possible

2 By stopping promiscuous gunning

3 By suppressing bird-egging boys

4 By keeping hawks, crows and jays within bounds.

It is well not only to have a variety of trees in your woodland, but also
to have portions of it in different stages of growth. A small patch of
ground covered with young sprouts furnishes a desirable breeding place for
such birds as the indigo bird, brown thrasher, towhee and several warblers,
all of which may be very useful in adjoining woodland. If each farm,
wooded or otherwise, could be ideally situated and cultivated, with the pro-
tection and accommodation of birds always in view, it is doubtful if paris
green and other insecticides would lind a ready market in the commonwealth,
e.xcept, perhaps, in such cases as that of the gypsy moth, where a man dis-
turbs the balance of nature by introducing a new pest from a foreign shore.

RK.M EDI AL M EASIJ RE.S

The conditions under which trees grow along our streets and in our
parks are so very different from those obtaining in natures that methods of
value in one place coukl not be tolerated in the other. The comparatively
high value of individual trees in streets and parks warrants much larger
expenditures or more labor than could he a<l\ised in the forest.
Street and park trees

The following paragraphs apply in particular to the more highly prized
trees of our roadsides, lawns and parks and the recommendations are not
intended for the forester.

Methods against biting and sucking insects. Practical considerations
compel the recognition of two classes of insects, the biting or devouring and
the sucking species. The work of the former is characterized by the
removal of more or less tissue from the part attacked, while the latter never
do thi.s, though they frequently cause wilting and discoloring in the imme-
diate vicinity of the injury. (Generally speaking, biting insects can be con-
trolled by spraying infested ])lanls with arsenate of leail, ])aris greeii, london

INSECTS AFFECTIXG PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 35

purple or other arsenical poisons. The aim of such treatment is to cover
the plant so thoroughly with the substances used that it will be practically
impossible for the pest to feed without also consuming the deadly insecti-
cide. Experiments have shown more than once that caterpillars will not
feed on foliage sprayed with jjoison till forced to do so by hunger, while
those placed on untreated leaves, with all other conditions the same, mani-
fest no such hesitanc)-. Thus it is pretty safe to assume that insects will
not eat poisoned leaves unless obliged to do so or go hungry, and that only
the most thorough spraying will produce satisfactory results. Measures of
value against leaf devourers may not have the slightest effect on those spe-
cies which obtain their nourishment by sucking, through a slender beak, the
fluids from the underlying plant tissues. Particles of paris green or other
such poison lying on the surface of the plant will not affect them and as it
is practically impossible to so change the vegetable fluids that an insect will
not or can not feed upon theni and yet not damage the plant, we must
depend to a great extent on contact insecticides in fighting these pests.
The most satisfactory method of killing such insects as aphids or plant lice,
scale insects, etc. is by spra)-ing them with kerosene emulsion, whale oil
soap solution or similar substances, which operate either by closing or
choking the breathing pores or spiracles along the sides of the insect or
they may exert a paralyzing influence through these orifices. The applica-
tions must be made directly to the insects themselves and the effectiveness
of the treatment will be proportional to the number actually hit. In short,
when fighting leaf-devouring insects, aim to cover the portions of the plant
liable to attack with some arsenical poison, while in controlling sucking
forms, it is essential to throw a substance, which will kill by contact, on
the insects themselves.

.The foregoing are general directions subject to many modifications.

Some pests are very resistant to poisons and require large doses before suc-

. cumbing, init as a rule the trouble is more apt to be lack of thoroughness in

the treatment than weakness of the insecticide. Many biting insects, like

leaf miners, twig, bark and wood borers operate in places where it is imprac-

36 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

ticabl'j to put the poison, (^tlicrs feed iinderL,^rouiul on roots and must be
foui^ht in special ways. Suckini; insects also present e.\cei)lional ditticulties.
.Some are cased with so resistant armor that it is nearly impossible to kill
them with substances that will not at the same time injure the plant. The
attacks of many i)lant lice cause the leaves to curl so that it is very difficult
to hit them with a spray. .Small leaf hoppers sometimes occur in such lart^^e
numbers that, owing to their activity and resistance to insecticides, they are
very difficult to control. Olht^rs, like bitiny^ forms, may work brnc-ath the
surface of the soil, and are therefore nearly inaccessible. Study has shown
that in the case of almost every injurious insect there is some point in its
life history wh^re it is comparatively easy to keep the pest in check. .\
little difference in cultural methods will sometimes accomplish much. As a
general rule, the wholesale destruction of insect life by the use of deadly
sprays is to bcavoidixl. Prevention is the most successful nu^thod of antici-
pating insect depredations. That is, avoid, so far as possible, offering con-
ditions favorable for the develoi)ment of insects in large numbers. Sup-
pression and control, rather than extermination, should be the aim. The
latter is impossiljle, generalh' speaking, while the former is fre<|uently our
only hope.

C/sc/css roncdics. .Avoid jjatenl remedial preparations, six-cially tht)se
that are advertised to kill most, if not all insects, and act as a fertilizer in
addition. A large corps of trained workers in e.xperiment stations and other
public positions are at present engagc-d in searching for new insecticides
and in determining the best methods of ai)|)lying them. kt-commendations
from such -sources can usually be relied on. .Some of the prejjarations sold
in the markets are undoubtedl)- of value, but they almost invariably owe
their efficacy to well known substances and not to secret compounds.
The great objection to this class of insecticides is that the consumer pays
several times the value of the article, Ijecause it is in a disguised form, ami
he is usually ignorant of its nature. There are other so called remedies
which are totally worthless, having no intrinsic vahu; of themselves. One
of the most persistently advertised of these is the old trick of plugging a

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODKANIJ TREES 2)7

tree with sulfur or other substance in order to render tlie sap distasteful to
insects of all kinds. This is a fascinating; theor\-, but has absolutely no
basis in fact. The safest way is to disregard all innovations till they have
been duly tested at experiment stations or are recommended by well known
authorities.

Xccd of experiment. The following formulas comprise what are regarded
as the most reliable, but must be modified under varying conditions, to
meet tlie demantls of the occasion. It should be borne in mind that in
many cases it is not so much the insecticide used as the manner of its
application, though in some cases the difference is due to a variation in
composition.

Foriiiiilas for arsenical preparations. Arsenate of lead ma)- be pre-
pared as follows : Dissolve i i ounces of acetate of lead (sugar of lead) in
four quarts of water and four ounces of arsenate of soda ( 50^'' purity ) in
two quarts of water, each lot in a wooden pail,and then add the solutions to
the required amount of water, which for most leaf-eating insects will be
about 50 gallons. This substance can be used in much greater strength
without danger of injuring the plants, provided it is properly prepared, and
though this poison does not act so rapidly as paris green and its allies,
it possesses superior adhesive powers, can be applied in much greater cjuan-
tities and its white color renders its detection on foliage very easy. It is of
special value against the elm leaf beetle because of its adhesiveness — it fre-
quently remains on the foliage nearly an entire season in spite of many
rains — and for this insect it is better to use the amounts given above in but
30 gallons of water. This poison has also been placed on the murket in a
paste form ready for dilution with water. Thus prepared it has all tlu- gooil
properties of the freshly made material and may be used with confidence.
The crystalline arsenate of lead can not be recommended as it is heavier
and does not adhere to the foliage as well as the other form.

Paris green or london purple, and also certain other arsenical prepara-
tions, are used with great success in combating leaf feeders. One pound
of either of these poisons to 100 to 150 gallons of water is the [jroiiortion

38 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

usually advised. It is also well to employ an equal amount of recently
slaked lime (mix with considerable water ami strain before adding) in order
to lessen the danger of burning the foliage. It is essential that either of
the above mi.\tures be kept well stirred in order to secure uniform results,
as the latter named poisons, in jjarticular, sink rapidly to the bottom of the
tank.

FofDiitlas for co)itact ntsciiicidcs. Kerosene emulsion is one of the
most important contact insecticides, that is, ihost' which must be actually
thrown on the insect in order to secure; results. It may be prepared as fol-
lows : dissolve one half pound of hartl soap in a gallon of boiling water
and while it is still hot add two gallons of kerosene, and emulsify either by
stirring rapidly or by repeatedly forcing it through a pump and fine nozzle.
A white, uniform creamy mass which does not break up into oil and water
should be obtained and this can then readily be diluted with water, the
usual amount being nine parts water to one of the emulsion. A sour milk
emulsion should be used in liiiKtstone regions, two gallons of kerosene to
one gallon of sour milk, emulsify as described above and dilute The
lO/? mechanical kerosene emulsion can be used in a similar manner, pro-
vided the pump can be depended on to give reliable proportions, which is
not often the case. One pound of whale oil soap to four gallons of water
is the strongest that can be used safely on foliage and one pound to six gal-
lons is usually as effectual as the kerosene emulsion for similar purposes.

The above formulas are to be used on trees in foliage and can be
depended on to kill only the more tender insects. The abundance of cer-
tain scale insects in recent years has shown the need of something more
effective and what are known as winter washes have been devised. These
are more penetrating corrosive or alkaline substances which can be applied
with safety to trees onl\' while they are dormant, and are therefore more fatal
to insect life. The whale oil soap solution, 2 pounds to a gallon, comes
under this head and it may be ap])lied cither in the fall or spring for
the destruction of certain scaU; insects. It has been used ver\- success-
fully against the .San Jose scale, A s p i tl i o t u s perniciosus Comst.

INSECTS AFFECTIXG PARK AND WOODLAXD TREES 39

This material has been found injurious to fruit buds of peach when applied
in the fall, and it is very likely that it might kill the more tender buds of
some other trees when used in similar way. Early spring applications, how-
ever, do not affect buds of our truit trees and this is probabl)' true of orna-
mentals. This soap appears to be giving way to the more effective and
much cheaper lime-sulfur washes.

The lime-sulfur wash, or as it is more generally known, the lime-sulfur-
salt wash is rapidly becoming a favorite remedy for scale insects in the
Eastern states. It may be prepared in a number of different ways with
very diverse proportions of the various ingredients, and still be effec-
tual. An old and very good formula consists of 40 lb lime, 20 lb sulfur
and 15 lb of ordinary salt to 60 gal. of water. Another calls for 15 lb
each of lime, salt and sulfur to 50 gal. water. Later experiments have
shown that these can probably be modified to considerable advantage and
the salt omitted. A very satisfactory combination is made by using 20 lb
lime and 15 lb sulfur to 50 gal. of water. The lime should be added to a
little hot water in a kettle, and as soon as slaking begins, put in the sulfur
and boil vigorously for at least 30 minutes, stirring constantly in order to
get a smooth mixture. Combination between the lime and sulfur is facili-
tated by the use of an alkali such as caustic soda, and recent experiments
have shown that sal soda, 10 lb to the above named amounts, makes a very
good wash and obviates the necessity of boiling. Several pails of hot water
are put into a barrel, the lime is added, quickly followed by the sulfur, then
the sal soda, and the entire mixture is stirred vigorously till the reaction
has ceased sufficiently so as to allow the covering of the barrel with burlap,
and the mixture is then allowed to stand for at least 30 minutes, strained
and diluted with cold water to the requisite amount. It is sometimes neces-
sary to add a little cold water to prevent the compound from boiling over
and care should be taken not to stir so much as to hinder the chemical reac-
tion. This latter formula, while very promising, is still in the experimental
stage.

Fumii^ation. Scale insects can also be controlled very successfully by

40 NEW VOKK STATE MUSEUM

fiimi^atidii with hydrocyanic acid <jfas. Tiiis treatment should be jriven
in the winter time when the trees are dormant and is of particular value
where a lars^'^e number of small trees must be treated. The tents necessary
for fumiL;ati()n are too expensixe for moderate or lars^e size trees. The proc-
ess consists in covering the tree with a canvas tent and generating the gas
underneath it by applying diluted sulfuric acid to potassium cyanid. This
method is extensively used in California on citrus trees and has been
employed to some extent in the east. There are a number of different
tents which have been designed for this purpose by various inv'estigators,
and those wishing to treat their trees may find it ail\"antageous to consult
Professor Johnson's Fii)iiigatio)i Mctkods.'^ Those who have only a few
trees and wish to employ the gas in a small way may find the following
directions of service. The trees should be exposed to the action of the gas
for 35 minutes at least, and one ounce of the cyanid (98;^' purity) should be
used to every 75 cubic feet of space together with an equal amount, by
li([uid measure, of the best commercial sulfuric acid (siiecific gravity 1.83)
aud three times that amount of water. Professor Johnson has advised using
I ^^ ounces of acid to 2'^^ ounces of water to each ounce of cyanid. The
cyanid should be i)laced in an earthenware crock near the trunk of the tree,
as distant as possible from the tent, ami when everything has been prepared,
the diluted acid (which is prepared by turning the acid slowly into the water,
stirring constantly in the meantime) should be emptied into the crock con-
taining the necessary amount of cyanid and the tent quickly made tight all
around. These materials are extremely dangerous to handle, the acid will
burn almost anything and causes \v.x\ bad sores, while the c\anid is one of
the most deadly poisons known. The fumigated trees should be covered
with a tight tent which is usually made of 8 ounce cotton ducking thor-
oughly coated with boiletl linseed oil, ])aint or otht:r matt-rial in order to
make it gas tight. The tent may be bell-shaped or rectangular and sup-
ported by a frame or may even consist of a large sheet thrown over the
tree. The form supported by the frame is the better because of the ease
'Orange Judd Co. 1902.

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 41

with which the cubic contents may be ciUcuhUed. Sc\eral box tents covered
with canvas or even rootin^r paper have been devised. These are provided
with frames and either constructed with a tlexible hood so tliat they can be
dropped entire over trees or else with a rt-mo\able sicK; which can be quickly
and tightl\- clamped to the frame.

Directions for sproyiiio. In order to spra)- trees successfully, certain
rules must be observeil. Appl_\- the poison at the time the insects begin to
feed and where the\- must eat it if the tree is attacketl. Karly si)raving not
only prevents much injury to foliage but it is likely to l)e fully as effective
because young caterpillars as a rule succumb more easily to poisons. In the
case of certain insects, it is best to throw the spray on the under surface of
the leaves so far as possible, as some young cateri^llars and elm leaf beetle
grubs in particular, prefer the tender lower epidermis. Do thorough work,
that is, try to cover ever\- leaf with the mixture and spray till the tree begins
to drip, but no more. The finer the spray, the better, as a more even distri-
bution is insured. The poisonous mixture must be kept agitated while
spraying is in progress. Good work can be accomplish(>d with haml
pumps, though a power spraying apparatus is the best ami plent\' of hose is
essential, as a fine spray can not be thrown far and it is therefore usually
necessary to do more or less climbing. Remember that very much depends
on the man at the nozzle and insist on having one who can be relied on.
It is the poorest econoni)' possilile to [uit a cheap man in this responsible
and somewhat disagreeable position. It is comparative!)' easy to give
directions but the man who faithfully and intelligently carries them out is
not often found, and he who will temper his work with judgment is a rarity.

Losi of spraying trees. .Se\'eral years ago we took some pains to ascer-
tain the precise cost of spraying in the hope of encouraging those to
whom the expense seems a serious item, and it is jjleasant to record that
it is much lower than had at first Ijeen sujjposed. I)r .Smith, of the \ew
Jersey agricultural experiment station, kindl\- supplied the following data in
1898. The elms on the college campus at Xew Brunswick are 50 to 75
feet high and were sprayed at odd times by the janitors, about an iiour

42 NEW YORK STATE MUSEL'M

being rccjiiircd by two men with force pump, tank and ladders to treat one
tree. The poison necessary for each spraying was worth about 6c. It will
thus be seen that the cost for each tree would be between 36c and 50c, vary-
ing with the price of labor. In New Brunswick, N. J., the trees were
sprayed at a contract price of $1 for the season, the understanding being
that they were to receive three treatments if necessary. The contractor
prepared the outfit, furnislied the material, did the spraying at the price
mentioned and had a neat margin remaining.

The cost of spraying elms in Albany in 1898, aside from wear and tear
of the apparatu.s, was about 15c a trei! for each spraying. This average was
based on one or two days work and probably would not hold for the season.
It is very likely that it would have paid to give each tree a little more time,
which would have brought the average cost up somewhat. The elms of
Albany range from 20 to about 70 feet in hight, though most of them are
over 50.

The average cost of one spraying in Albany in 1900 was about 22c a
tree. The spraying was done with apjjaratus to be described later, and
under civil service regulations, which recpiire men to work but eight hours a
day. Two power spraying outfits under one foreman's direction constituted
the force. It would be possible in pri\ale work to reduce the force some-
what and have one man serve both as motorman and driver. A little more
selection could also be exercisetl and [lossibly more efficient men secured
than c^n usualK' be obtained for such work luuKr cl\il service regidations.

Mr 11. W. (iordinier of Troy fouml that in contract work in the village
of Lansingburg, where he sprayed all the trees, the average cost a tree for
each spraying was 23c. This figure, however, was raised considerabl\- in his
work in Troy where the trees were s])rayed at the expense of ])ri\ate par-
ties and there was necessarily much running hither and thither; under these
conditions it ranged from 50c to 60c a tree, the cost depending on the size
ami the number in one locality. Large maples have been sprayed at a cost
of onl\- 171^ cents per application, as stated below.

The saving in cost shown by the above figures, not to mention the

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 43

greater benefit to the public, particularly in the poorer sections of a city
where shade trees are most needed and where they are usually neglected, is
a strong argument in favor of such spraying operations being done by vil-
lages and municipalities. The more general and thorough the work, the
more satisfactory are the results.

Proper apparatus. In order to do this work successfully one must
possess a force pump capable of throwing a stream some distance, a num-
ber of feet of hose and a nozzle that will discharge a rather fine spray.
There must also be something to hold the poisonous mixture and a ladder
facilitates the work of application greatly.

One of the best arrangements for hand work is most prol)ably found in
a spraying outfit on wheels that can be readily moved from place; to place
[pi. 21]. In most cases this takes the form of a box or barrel to which a
force pump is firmly attached, and is either provided with wheels or designed
to be placed in a wagon. It is necessary to have 25 to 50 or more feet of
^ or ^ inch hose when spraying tall trees, while the addition of a 10 to
25 foot metal extension adds materially to the value of the apparatus. It
is essential to have a nozzle that will produce a fine spray, not clog, and
which can be quickly adjusted to throw a coarse spray some distance if
desirable. .Such an outfit is of great service to any individual having con-
siderable spraying to do and it could undoubtedly be used to advantage by
those desiring to make a business of spraying in a small way, as for example
the treating of trees here and there for those in cities wishing their trees
sprayed and not willing to purchase the necessary apparatus.

In the extended work against insects, specially the elm leaf beetle, con-
ducted by cities and villages, it is desirable to have apparatus that will
admit of more rapid work. This at first led to the refitting of retired fire
engines and the designing of more or less cumbersome outfits for the pur-
pose. In all cases these makeshifts have been successful, though they are
not so satisfactory in operation as those specially adapted to the purpose.
One of the best forms of apparatus yet designed for spraying trees is that
constructed under the direction of Dr E. R. Southwick. entomologist of the

44

NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

(Icpartinciit of public i)arks of the city of New York. This is the form used
in Albany. 1 he whole outfit is represented on plate 21. It consists of a
Daimler ^'■asoline motor operating a Gould force jiump. The motor and
pump, weighing but 300 pounds, can be placed in the l)ottom of a spring
wagon along with the 100 gallon lank containing the poisonous mixture.
This motor has the advantage of l>eing almost noisi-less in operati(jn and is
scarcely noticed by passing horses. It is ver)- inexpensive to op(!rate, as a
gallon of gasoline, is sufficient for a day, and it rc(|uirrs so little attention
that a tyro can nm it. The smallest size Gould thn-e-piston |)um]) is the
one used with ihc motor, though Dr .Southwick now recommends a larger
one in order to utilize the power more fully. A complete power spraying
outfit, aside from horse and wagon, should not cost over $500, the price
naturally varying with market conditions and (piality of materials used.
I'^our lines of hose can easily be supplicnl, though in most places in Albany
not more than two can be used to advantage.

Some other apparatus in addition to that usuall\- suijplit'il with s|)ra\ing
outfits is necessary. Several ladders or some convenient arrangement for
getting up into trees is almost essential unless th(; spra\ing wagon has one
of the elevating platforms such as arc used l)y electric car companies on
repair outfits. Two power s|)raying outlits constructed for the village of
Saratoga in 1899 were provitleil with these ele\aling towers and they were
found to be very effective and economical. The cost of spraying for the
forest tent caterpillar which, by the way, need not be done so carefull)- as
for the elm leaf beetle, was but i 7'4C a tree, and considerable of this saving
was attributed to the elevating towers. In this instance 5667 large maple
trees were spra\cd and practicalK' all in the \-illage were treated, thus enab-
ling the operators to save time in every possible manner.

Haiid collcclhis;, etc. Hand collecting appears very slow, labf)rious,
and not at all ada|)led to prest-nt conditions. This is true in a great many
instances and yet there 'are cases where hand picking is one of the most eco-
nomical methods of controlling certain injurious species. The white marked
tussock moth, 1 1 e m e r o c a m j) a leu co stigma Abb. tH; Sm., is a form

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 45

which can be controlled as rcadil)- 1)\' collecting' its white egg masses as by
spraying-. These latter are easily gathered, and the tree once cleaned, will
remain so for some time, or until the caterpillars can make their way from
adjacent trees. Several cities in New York .State have found it an exceed-
ingly good investment to ])ay children a nominal amount for collecting the
egg masses. The weakness of this method is that it is. apt to be spasmodic
and the rewards are offered only during times when the caterpillars are
exceptionall)- injurious, hence the insect is allowed to increase at intervals
and periodically inflicts considerable damage. The city of New York pays
an entomologist connected with the park department, who makes a practice
of collecting the egg masses of this insect. This sh.ould be done in other
cities where this species is a pest. This method can also be applied in a
measure to the collection of the cocoons of our larger moths, such as the
promethea moth, Callosaniia proniethea Drury and the C\nthia
moth, P h i 1 o s a m i a c y n t h i a Drury and others.

Borers. Hand labor is practically the only method of dealing with
certain borers. Dr E. H. Southwickof New York city has met with consitl-
erable success in controlling the notorious leopard moth, Zeuzera pyrina
Linn., a species which has become well distributed throughout that city and
which infests practically all kinds of trees. His nu'n inject carbon ijisul-
phid, carried in an engineer's oil can, into all holes which give any indication
of being inhabited. The orifices are then closed with putty and other scars
on the trees are carefully treatetl. This method has also been a])|)lied with
a little variation in details in the case of the carpenter worm, P r i o n ox y s-
t us r o b i n i ae Peck, in the Buffalo parks by the late M. F. Adams, who
preferred to stop the entrances with soap.

Prevention of attack by the application of a deterrent wash is fre-
quently advised against these insects. The treatment consists in applying
a wash to parts liable to attack just before the (;gg-laying jjeriod, for the
purpose of driving the females away before they deposit eggs. One of the
best formulas is the following: i pt. of crude carbolic acid {yi pt. refined), i
gal. soft soap, thin with i gal. hot water, stir in acid, let it set over night, then

^6 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

add 8 g^al. soft water. Or to a saturated solution of washing soda atld soft
soap to make a thick paint ; tiiis is improved by i pt. of crude carbohc acid
and y^ lb paris green to lo gal. of wash. Or in 6 gal. of saturated solu-
tion of washing soda, dissolve i gal. of soft soap, add i pt. of carbolic acid,
mix thoroughly, slack enough lime in 4 gal. of water, so that when atldcd, a
thick whitewash will result, then add ^ lb of paris green, mix thoroughly.
The latter is probably the best. Valuable only to prevent egg-laying on
bark.

SELECTION AM) PLANTING Ol' TREES

.Sometiiing can be done along this line, \\\ the case of shade trees,
toward preventing serious depreciations by some pests. Rapidly growing
trees have vigor enough to withstand the attacks of some insects and
apparently they are not able to thrive on such trees. This result can be
obtainetl only by providing the right conditions. Trees should be set in
congenial soil and ]ilaced where they will have no difficulty in securing an
adequate amount of nourishment, water and sufficient light. Requisite
space shouUl be provided or crowding, followed by lowered vitality and
insect attack will probably result.

The abundance of serious insect enemies in the eastern Unitt;d States
makes it advisal)le to consitler the rc^sistance of certain trees to insect
injury before setting them out. Some are very subject to such attacks and
while there are other important factors to be taken into account, this should
not be overlooked. I)r L. O. llowardin connection with some estimates
prepared by l)r H. E. Fernow, then chief of the division of forestry in the
United States Department of Agriculture, prepared a rating representing
the comjjarativc resistance of nur more important shade trees to insect
enemies. Dr Howard, as entomologist of the federal government, necessa-
rily considered the value of these species in all parts of the country', and
the following is a revision of a local comparative rating of our more impor-
tant shade trees prepared bv the writer at the request of Mr I-'rederick
.Shqnnard of Yonkers N. \' . It varies little from a similar estimate pre-
pared liy Or 1 loward, and has b(>en modified to represent more nearly our

INSECTS AFFECTIXr, I'ARK AND WOODLAND TREES 47

estimate of the relative resistance of these trees to insect attack in New
York State, specially in the Hudson river valley. The figure 3 has been
placed opposite trees which are practically immune from insect injury, 2.5
indicates some damage. Trees having one somewhat serious enemy are
rated at 2, and those having at least one notorious insect pest at 1.5.
Greater likelihood of injuries is indicated by i and still more by .5. The
species are arranged according to the comparative injury and the list follows :

Tulip tree 3 R^d maple ----- 2

*Tree of Heaven - - - 3 Honey locust - - - - 2

Hardy catalpa - - - - 3 European linden - - - 1.5

Gino-ko ------ 3 American linden - - - 1.5

Red oak ------ 2.5 Horse-chestnut - - - - 1.5

Scarlet oak- - - - - 2.5 Soft or silver maple - - 1.5

Yellow oak ----- 2.5 American elm - - - - i

Oriental plane tree - - 2.5 *Hackberry ----- i

American plane tree - - 2.5 European elm - - - - .5

Sycamore maple - - - 2.5 Scotch elm ----- .5

Norway maple - - - - 2 Cottonwood ----- .5

Sugar maple - - - - 2 Balm of Gilead - - - .5

White oak ----- 2 Black locust ----- .5

■ Bur oak ------ 2

Those that are starred have been seen only in parks or in such small
numbers that the rating can be regarded as provisional only.

Massing of trees. It is not only advantageous to select trees possessing
relative immunity from insect enemies but it is also advisable to avoid plant-
ing too many of one variety together. It is a well recognized principle
among agriculturists that large areas devoted to a single crop, specially for
a series of years, increase the danger from insect enemies and the same
applies in the case of shade trees set in parks and along our streets. It would
be much better could different varieties be alternated on the same street or
at least set in small groups, so that in case a few became badly infested by
such a species as the white marked tussock moth, Hemerocampa

48 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

1 c II c s t i i,mi a Abb. & Sm., or a scale insect like the elm bark louse,
Gossyparia spuria .Mod., the pest would experience difficulty in
fintlinj;' other trees to its liking. An alternation such as sugar and soft
maples is very desirable because while the former finds a serious enemy in
the forest tent caterpillar, Malacosoma disstria Iliibn., the latt(,T is
comparatively e.\empt from its attacks, and wandering caterpillars would
therefore not find an abundance of food near at hand, as would be the case
where an entire row was composed of hard maples. Majjles and elms alter-
nated would prove of service in checking the rapiil distribution of such a
species as the elm leaf beetle, (". a 1 e r u c e 1 1 a luteola Miiil., and
would be an advantge even in the case of an outbreak of the spiny elm cater-
pillar, I^uvanessa antiopa Linn. A number of other instances could
be mentioned. Care should be taken in setting trees not onl\' to have
species side by side which are rarely affected by the same insect enemies,
but also varieties which will grow harmoniously and afford a pleasing
combination.

The following table of some of the principal insect enemies of our shade
trees should prove of considerable service in avoiding undesirabh; combina-
tion from the standpoint of the economic entomologist.

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES

49

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50 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

MORE IMPORTANT SHADE TREE PESTS
It is exceedingly difficult to draw a sharp line between insects of prime
economic importance and others. An attempt has been made to do this
simply for the purjiosc of making the contents of this work more accessible
to the general reader. Some of the species listed under this head could
almost with e<iual propriet}' i)c included with those affecting forest trees,
and as a matter of fact no sharp line can be drawn between the two, though
there are insects which are much more destructive by reason of their depre-
dations upon certain forest trees used to adorn our streets and parks rather
than because of their injuries to the same species in a wild state.

DESTKICTIVK liORKRS

This includes a number of borers affecting some of our more valuable
shade trees, and the different species may be identified by aid of the follow-
ing tabular statement.

Key to destructive borers
Affecting living sugar mai)le.s only, making liroad, shallow galleries in sapwood just under
the bark; a large, fleshy, legless grub

Sugar maple borer, P 1 a g i o n o t u s s p e c i o s u s, ]). 5 1
Affecting hard and soft maples, causing deformities in the trunk and many small, brown-
ish, ])owdery borings about the ])laces injured . . . Maple sesian, S e s i a a c e r n i, p. 56
Boring in small twigs of maple and oaks, causing the tips of the branches to fall, the broken
ends having a large proportion smoothly cut

Maple and oak twig ])runer, E 1 a p h i d i o n v i 1 1 o s u m, p. 59
Diseased or nearly dead maple, elm and other trees having medium, pencil-sized borings,
with frequently many galleries coming out at nearly right angles to the bark

Pigeon treme.x, T r e m e x coin m b a, p. 61
A dark Ijrown or black, rather stout, rylindric beetle about y^ inch long makes circular
sometimes spiral galleries in the roots of underground stems of sugar maple, huckle-
berry and a number of shrubs

Sugar maple timber beetle, C o r t h y 1 u s p u n c t a t i s s i m u s, p. 65
American elms with dead and dying limbs, usually with the sapwood badly scored by

rather large, flat, legless borers Elm borer, S a p e r d a t r i d e n t a t a, ]). 67

A small, reddish beetle about yi of an inch long and prettily marked with three yel-
low, nearly transverse lines on each wing cover, may be bred from wood infested
by the elm borer X e o c 1 y t u s e r y t h r o c e p h a 1 u s, p. 7 1

INSECTS AFFECTI.N'G PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 5 1

American elms having much tiie same character as mentioned above, but with short,
curled, legless grubs in the smaller liml)s

Black elm snout beetle, M a g d a 1 i s b a r b i t a, p. 73
The reddish elm snout beetle, M a g d a 1 i s a r m i c o 1 1 i s is frequently associated with

the above p. 74

Dead limbs projecting above leafy branches or broken and hanging in the midst of other-
wise healthy trees Leopard moth, Z e u z e r a pyrin a, p. 75

Very large, round, irregular borings in the trunk of different kinds of oak, maple and

locust Carpenter worm, P r i o n o x y s t u s r o 1) i n i a e, ]>. 79

A legless, flattened, white grub boring at the very base of thornappie, mountain ash, shad-
bush and fruit trees Round-headed apple borer, S a p e r d a c a n d i d a, p. 84

A large-headed, flattened, legless, white grub making shallow galleries in various trees

Flat-headed borer, C h r y s o b o t h r i s f e m o r a t a, p. 86
Dead stumps or timbers in houses etc. may be irregularly mined by ants

White ants, T e r m e s f 1 a v i p e s, p. 87
Large black carpenter ant, C a m p o n o t u s h e r c u 1 a n e u s, p. 90
Lindens frequently have large, irregular galleries at the base of the tree

Linden borer, S a p e r d a v e s t i t a, p. 91
Ash trees sometimes have moderate-sized galleries in the trunks, the work of a white,

sparsely haired caterpillar Ash borer, P o d o s e s ia f r a x i n a, p. 92

Our common native black locust is sometimes badly riddled by moderate-sized galleries.

Locust borer, C y 1 1 e n e r o b i n i a e, p. 93
Very large galleries in this tree

Carpenter worm, Prionoxystus robiniae, p. 79

Poplars are very subject to the attack of a legless, white grub which makes large, irregular
galleries, and in midsummer piles of excelsiorlike shavings may be seen at the base of
infested trees Poplar borer, S a p e r d a c a 1 c a rat a, p. 98

Willows and poplars are frequently severely injured by medium-sized, transverse galleries
. usually at the base Mottled willow borer, C r y p t o rh y n c h u s 1 a p a t h i, p. 100

Lilac stems are frequently tunneled by a white, sparsely haired cateri)illar, the branches
above wilting in midsummer Lilac borer, Podosesia syringae, p. 104

Sugar maple borer
Plagionotus spcciosiis Say
Dead limbs among leafy branches or transverse ridges and dead areas on bran<:hes or
trunks of sugar maples are the most characteristic signs of the work of the large tleshy,
footless grub belonging to this species.

Sugar maples along the roadsides in the State of New York probably
have no more serious insect enemy than this pernicious borer. I he attacks

52

NEW YORK STATE ML'SEl'.M

of other insects on our maples, specially the depredations of the so called
maple worm or forest tent caterpillar, Malacosoma disstria Hiihn.,
are from time to time pictured in most j^dowing colors, and while these other
pests undoubtedly cause much injury, the fact remains that the sugar maple
borer is quietly and unobtrusively carrying on its deadly work and in a
series of years probably kills more of these popular shade trees than any
other insect pest. In almost every city and village where sugar maples
adorn the roadsides, evidences of the work of this borer are very apparent
and in many of these places dead or nearly ruined trees are by no means
scarce. The unthrifty condition of these maples is frequently attributed to
drought, fungous diseases, leaking gas, pavements impervious to water, etc.,
whereas, in fact, the true depredators are gnawing within the trees.

Character of the injury. Unlike many borers, this insect attacks trees
in full vigor. The powerful, legless grub confines its operations largely to
the inner bark and sapwood, and as it runs a burrow several feet long in one
season, and as one borer will frequently work transversely half around a tree
some 1 8 inches in diameter, the dangerous character of this pest is at once
apparent. The bark over the burrow, be it either a longitudinal or a trans-
verse one, dies and the growing tissues forming underneath in the natural
process of healing push the dead bark out, cause it to break ami in the
course of a year or two an ugly, naked scar is produced. A large patch of
bark may be killed by several borers working near each other or possibly
by one doubling back and forth, and the result is a large, unsightly area of
e.xposed wood. The injury produced by a transverse burrow is shown at
figure 2, and a blasted area resulting from the doubling of a borer or of the
work of several near together is shown at figure 3. Two or three borers in
the same trunk are very likely to nearly girdle a tree, if they do not kill
it outright. Infested maples frequently have one or more large branches
killed by this ])est. The base of the limb is girdled in the same way as the
trunk, the first intimation of trouble in this manner usually being a sudden
wilting of the foliage, followed by the leaves drying up and falling. I his
borer displays a marked preference for the base of large limbs and
adjacent portions of the trunk.

INSECTS AFFECTIXG PARK AND WOODLAND TREES

53

Description. The parent insect is a beautiful stout beetle about one
inch long. It is black, brilliantly marked with yellow, as represented at
figure 4 of plate 2. The borer or larva is a whitish, flattened, footless grub
with brownish mouth parts. .Small ones |pl. 2, fig. 2], about yi inch loner,
are found in September just under the bark and come from eggs laid the
same season. The nearly full grown borer [pi. 2, fig. 3] is about 2 inches

.1 •iiViK

A Am

1 h

-> Injury produced b> i
verse burrow in a sugar
ab.nit i3 inches in di;

long, white, with some rosy tints and in other respects closely resembles the
smaller ones.

Life history and habits. The parent insects or beetles occur from the
latter part of June till into August. Most of the eggs are probably laid dur-
ing the latter two mcMiths. The place of oviposition [ pi. 2, fig. i, \a\ ma}' be
recognized by the irregular discoloration of the bark, caused in part by the
sap flowing from the wound and partly from the expelled frass or excrement,
the latter often hanging in small masses from the point of entrance. We

54

NEW YORK STATE ML'SEUM

have found burrows about 30 feet from the ground, but most of them occur
in the trunk or near the base of the larger limbs. The latter seems to be a
favorite place for the deposition of eggs. The young borer passes the win-
ter in a rather shallow excavation in the sapwood, the following spring-
renewing operations with increased vigor. The boring of the second season
is largely just under the bark, the burrows being about ^i inch in width and
1^ inch in depth, and running in almost an)- direction, though usual!)- longi-
tudinally or obliquely upward and partly around the tree. Sometime during
its life, probably in the second fall when the borer is about 16 months old,
a deep burrow is made, usually penetrating about 4 inches in an upward,
oblique direction toward the heart of the tree and then
running some distance parallel with the grain of the wood,
as represented in figure 4, which- was drawn from a photo-
graph. The larva transforms to a pupa and from that to a
beetle at tlie entl of this deep burrow, the beautiful adult
emerging from the trunk tlirough an ova! hole | pi. 2, fig. 5 ]
about y% by Ss inch in diameter.

The only natural enemies observed preying on this
insect are woodpeckers. I)r Packard records having seen
them at work. Mr A. \\. Kirkland has seen the hairy
woodpecker, the downy woodpecker and the flicker feeding
on white larvae taken from l)eneath the bark of infestetl

I'lJ'llllJll t"-'-^-
\ I j-f '';l? ■ li'JI Associated insects. .As ])reviousl\- pointed out, the

Fig.4 Deep burrow in suofar niaole borer attacks trees in iheir prime. It is well

which lh= grub irans- '^ ' '

forms to th.. beetle knowu tostudeutsof nature that an enfeebled jilant invites

insect injury by presenting fav(^ra])le conditions for their mullij)Iication.
Trees suffering to any e.xtent from the attack of the sugar maple borer are
usually infested with the pigeon treme.x, Tremex columba Linn., a
species which assists materially in the destruction begun by the l)eetle and
which is noticed on page 59.

Remedies. \'crv badlv infested trees should be cut and burned before

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 55

the following- |une in order to prevent the maturing of any insects they
may contain. It may be possible to prevent oviposition if the trunks of
shade trees are treated early in June with the carbolic soap wash described
on another page. This is simply a deterrent and is employed to render the
trunks so distasteful that the insects will not attempt to deposit eggs therein.
The most successful method of checking this insect, in case of valued trees,
is by careful eNaminations each fall and spring for characteristic signs of
borings. These are familiarly known as sawdust, and small comminuted
particles of wood or bark at the base of the tree or in bark crevices should
lead to a careful examination for their source. It will usually be found in a
burrow near the base of the limbs or in the adjacent trunk, and wherever
such injury occurs the borers should be carefully dug out, even though it
means much cutting, because the borers make extensive drafts on the sap
of the tree, on which they appear to live to a considerable extent. The
galleries are usually under perfectly smooth, apparently healthy bark and
within I4 to >< an inch of the surface. They should be followed carefully,
and if a wire is used it may be possible to trace the gallery by cutting in
here and there without e.xposing its entire length, something of particular
importance when the boring has a transverse or oblique direction. It
should in any case be followed to its end and the offender destroyed. This
may seem like an extreme recommendation, but it should be remembered
that if the borer is not killed, the nefarious work will continue and much
more injury probably result than from the cutting, since in most instances
the bark immediately over the gallery soon dies and after a term of years
we have exposed wood and subsequent decay. The writer has seen a case
where extensive borings by this insect were carefully cut out and the grubs
killed. Several of the galleries had an oblique direction and it looked as
though the cutting would cause much injury to the tree, which was in a
sickly condition and the owner feared it was going to die. It is sufficient
to state that the tree began to recover immediately after the operation and
nearly three years later was the picture of health (though not so large as
uninjured associates) in spite of the severe scars left after exposing the gal-

56 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

leries \siy pi. 22, 23]. One of these galleries was partly transverse, extend-
ing about j/4. of the distance around the trunk. This injury could probably
be helped by bridge grafting. In any event it is advisable to cover such
wounds with grafting wa.x or even till the galleries with mortar, grafting
wax, or some other material to protect the wood from the elements. Occa-
sionall)' much digging can be saved by injecting a little carbon bisulfid into
an inhabited gallery, but the objection to this procedure is that one can
never be certain of destroying the grub. We consider it better to expose
the gallery far enough, so that a sharp wire can be inserted and the borer
killed. A wound or two with such an instrument means its death and there
is no necessity of securing the grub itself.

Wounds made either by the borer or by a person looking for it, should
be cleaned and plastered with a cement of fresh cow dung and lime, in
order to hasten their healing.

In sugar maple groves, Mr Kirklantl advises that the underbrush be left
as much as possible, as he has observed that the clearing up of the shrubbery
has repeatedly been followed by severe injury from this borer. The beetles
are known to be sun-loving insects and it is very probable that they would
place their eggs where the conditions were most attractive.

Bibliography
1896 Lintner, J. A. Ins. N. V. i2ih Rti.'i, p. 238-48

1898 Felt, E. P. !• ish, Game and For. Com. X. V. 4th Rcp't, p. 386-92

1899 N. \. State Auric. Sol. Trans. 39:277-78

Maple sesian
Sfs/a accriii Clem.

Deformed and frequently enlarged trunks of maples showing brownish powdery
borings near the surface, with here and there a small circular orifice, indicate the work of
this insect.

The riddling of new tissues around healing wountls on maples is usually
the work of this borer. The round holes through the injured bark and the
brownish, powdery borings are very characteristic of this caterpillar. It
has a special fondness for the tissues growing over wounds, though occa-

INSECTS AFFECTIXG PARK AXD WOODLAXD TREES 57

sionally it may be found operating- on comjjarativeh- smooth trunks. It
is generally distributed over the State and evidences of its work occur in
many localities. Trees wounded from any cause find great difficulty in the
comparatively simple process of covering exposed wood with bark, after
being attacked by this insect. Thus relatively insignificant wounds result
in scars constantly increasing in size and finally in a badly disfigured, gnarled
maple. These creatures, when abundant, may nearly girdle a tree. Very
serious com.plaints regarding this pest have been made in Michigan, Mis-
souri, and even in Buffalo N. Y., and it has been stated that this borer
annual!)' causes mucli damage to hard maples. The distribution of this
insect has been given by Mr Beutenmuller as Canada, New England and
Middle States and westward to Nebraska.

Description. These beautiful, wasplike, red-tailed moths | [)!. 4, fig. i6j
are not often seen by the casual observer. .\n infested tree frequently
presents the appearance represented on plate 4. Near a partly healed
wound there may be found a number of round holes [pi. 4, fig. 12 | and con-
siderable brownish, powdery matter [pi. 4, fig. i 7J, the excrement or frass of
the borers. Empty pupal cases may frequently be seen in early fall pro-
jecting from the trunk as represented at plate 4, figure 14. On cutting into
the injured wood, a whitish, brown-headed caterpillar [pi. 4, fig. 18) about
^ inch long may be found in the latter part of the summer. In the early
spring the silken frass-covered cocoons [pi. 4, fig. 15] occur in the burrows.

Life history and habits. The moths are most abundant at Buffalo N. Y.,
from May 20 to June 15, according to the observations of the late Dr D. .S.
Kellicott. The males have been seen by Mr L. H. Joutel flying up and
down the trunks of infested trees looking for a partner in much the same
way as do the males of the lunate long sting, T h a 1 e s s a 1 u n a t o r Fabr.
The eggs are deposited on the bark of both soft and sugar maples, the
female preferring as a rule to place them on roughened areas, specially in
the vicinity of wounds, if one may judge from the injury inflicted. The
eggs soon hatch and the young borers commence operations in the bark and
sapwood. In the fall most o( the caterpillars are about '2 inch long and

58 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

can easily be found in their burrows. The cavities made by the borers are
nearly filled with frass. The caterpillar completes its growth in the spring,
eats its way nearly through the bark | pi. 4, fig. 13], then retires into its
burrow, spins a loose silken cocoon and changes to a jjupa. Shortly before
the adult emerges, the pupa works its way partly out of the burrow, ruptur-
ing the thin piece of bark covering the outlet of its retreat in the operation,
and the moth escapes, leaving the pupal case; as represented on plate 4,
figure 14.

This pest attacks both hard and soft maples. In some localities it is
reported as most injurious to the former, in others to the latter. In Albany
its work is most evident on soft maples. Woodpeckers are efficient aids in
keeping this pest in check in forests, according to the late Dr Kellicott.

Remedies. As the parent moth shows a marked inclination to deposit
eggs on rough bark, the trees should be protected from injury by horses,
boys and other agencies and the trunks kept as smooth as possible. The
caterpillars bore near the surface and are easily dug out and destroyed.
Infested trees should be inspected the latter part of the summer and the
borers killed. The wounds in the trees should be carefully covered with
grafting wax, paint or other protective substance. A plaster made of fresh
cow dung and lime has been used for this purpose with e.xcellent results.
The deposition of eggs could probably be prevented to considerable extent
by treating the trunks of the trees about the middle of May with a wash
prepared as follows: thin i gal. of soft soap with an equal amount of hot
water and stir in 1 pi. of crude carbolic acid (^ pt. refined), let it set over
night and then add 8 gal. of soft water. A])ply thoroughly to the trunk,
specially about all crevices and wounds, from the ground to about 6 or 8
feet high, and renew if necessary before the middle of June.

Bibliography
1898 Felt, E. P. Fish, Game and For. Com. N. Y. 4th Rep't, p. 384-85

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 59

Maple and oak twig pruner
Elapliidion villflsuni I^'ahr.

Small, cleanly cut twigs of oak or maple falling during the summer are signs of this
insect's work.

This insect probab'y attracts more attention tlian any other species
causing the same amount of damage. As a general rule it is not very inju-
rious, except possibly to shade trees on lawns and along roadsides where
symmetry and beauty are very desirable. Aside from damage to the trees,
the falling twigs are a source of annoyance and form the one sign of the
insect's presence most commonly noted.

Description. This species, like some others, is most easily recognized
in connection with its work. A fallen twig is found to have its larger end
nearly eaten off, as represented on plate 2, the cutting being nearly as
smooth as that of a sharp chisel. The central burrow is plugged with saw-
dust and if the twig be whittled, a large proportion of its interior will be
found eaten away and somewhere in the burrow there is usually a whitish
grub with brown jaws [pi. 2, fig. 7], our carpenter.- The beetle is a rather
slender, grayish brown insect [pi. 2, fig. gj.

Life history and habits. The adult is said to deposit an egg in July
in one of the smaller twigs. The young larva feeds for a time on the
softer tissues under the bark, packing its burrow with castings and working
toward the base of the twig. Later it bores along the center of the limb,
making a more or less oval channel. In the early fall our borer ([uietly eats
away a large portion of the woody fiber, plugs the end of its burrow with
castings and waits for a high wind to break off the nearly severed branch.
In this manner the larva reaches the ground in safety. Late in the fall or
in the early spring the change to the pupa takes place and the transforma-
tion to the perfect insect occurs in the spring, the beetles emerging from
the limbs in June and continuing abroad till September. Occasionally the
insect completes its changes in the portion of the limb remaining on the
tree ; it as a rule drops with the severed branch.

The reason for cutting off the limbs has been accounted for in different

6o XEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

ways by several writers. Professor Peck tlioui^ht it was cut so as to p(;rniit
of the insect's retreat beinij kept moist, as it would be if it lay on the
ground amid leaves and snow. This can hardly be the reason since it
is well known that this species is easily reared from very dry limbs. Mr
Chittenden has suggested the following, which appears to us to be the
most reasonable e.xplanation. He states that most of the larvae in hard
wood cut thfir way nt-arly out Ijcforc the final transformations take place.
The small portion of the bark remaining is left to protect the insect from
birds and other enemies. There are some species that have well developed,
strong mandibles in the ailult condition and these can make their way through
solid wood, as for e.\ample Monohammus. Many others, and among them
this species, are not thus favored and they would be utterly unable with
their weaker mouth parts to make their way through solid wood. These
e.\it channels are very frequently run at an angle to the axis of the wood, as
is well known, and since this twig girdler works in such small limbs that this
method of escape would he iinpracticablr, llu- cutting otf of the limb ami
plugging of the free end with borings seems to be the easiest and most
natural way of getting around the difficulty. I)r P'itch gives considerable
space to discussing the infallii)ilit\- of this larva in cutting ott the limi)s but
such is hardly borne out by facts. Mr Chittenden states that this can
hardly be true and cites Dr P'itch who olisi-rved that at least ^^ of the fallen
liml)s contain(;d no grub aiul an examination of these showed that the insect
must have perished ap the time the limb was se\ered or before it had e.xca-
vated any burrow upward in its center.

The life cycle of this species is jirobabh' completed under natural con-
ditions in one year, though when breeding in dry twigs the period may
be considerably extended. Dr Hamilton states that in some cases 3 anil
prol)al)ly 4 years are retpiired to complete the life cycle, and the writer is
inclined to agree with Mr Chittenden in accounting for this extended
period by the retarding influence of undue drying which may easily obtain
in breeding cages. The writer has reared a number of the beetles and
failed to observe anv such urolonijcd life cvcle.

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 6 1

Natural enemies. Mr F. H. Mosher, as stated hy Mr Kirkland, records
the downy woodpecker, the blue jay and the chickadee as preying on this
borer. Mr Kirkland adds to this Hst a spider, T h e r i d i u m t e p i d a r i o-
ru m C. Koch, which he found feeding on the beetles.

Food plants. This twig pruner not only attacks maple and oak, two of
its favorite food plants, but has also been recorded from a number of others.
A few of the more important are: apple, pear, plum, peach, grape, quince,
orange, osage orange, hickory, chestnut, locust, sassafras and sumac.

Remedies. The fallen branches usually contain the larva and should
therefore be collected and burned sometime during the winter.

Bibliography
189J Lintner, J. A. Ins. N. Y. 9th Rep't, p. 357-61

189S Chittenden, F. H. U. S. Dep't Agric Div. Ent. Bui. 18, n. s. p. 35-37
189S Felt, E. P. Fish, For. and Game Com. X. Y. 4th Rep't \>. 392-93

Pigeon tremex
Trciuex colimiba Linn.

A number of round holes, the size of a medium lead pencil, in the diseased trunk of
maple, elm and other trees are tiuite characteristic of this insect's presence. The large
grub works near the center of the trunk and may be recognized by its prominent spine "on
the posterior extremity.

This interesting insect attacks a number of forest and shade trees, but
so far as observed, its operations are confined almost entirely to diseased or
dying trees. It is a very common insect in or about Albany where it breeds
in the elms which have been weakened by successive attacks of the elm leaf
beetle, Galerucella luteola Miill., and it also occurs in many sugar
maples which have been seriously injured by the sugar maple borer,
P 1 a g i o n o t u s s p e c i o s u s Sa}-.

Description. The pigeon treme.x is a magnificent four-wingctl [\\ about
2 inches long, a wing spread of 21% inches and with a prominent horn at the
extremity of the abdomen. This latter appendage give rise to the common
name of horn tail, which is frequently applied to this insect and its allies.
This species may be recognized b\- its cylindric dark brown abdomen with

.62

NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

yellowish markiiii^s as seen in fiu;urc 5. Tlic larva or grub producing the
pigeon tremex may be recognized by its cylindric form, the possession of
6 legs on the three anterior segments ami I)y the ]>r()mincnt horn at its
caudal extremity.

Life history and habits. \'cry litth- has been n-corded concerning the
life history and habits of this conspicuous insect. The adults make their
way out of the trunk through a hole about the size of a common lead

fig- 5 Pigeon tremex: <i-larva showing the Thalcss.i larva fastened to its
sitle ; ^— head of Larva ; £■— pupa of female; (/—male pupa; ^— adult female
— all sliRhtly cnlarRed. (After Riley, Ins. Life, i, U. S. Dep't Agric.)

pencil, and during the summer months they are fre([uentl\ found on diseased
maples and elms, sometimes with thi! stout o\ipositor bent at right angles
to the body as the female inserts it with a wriggling motion. .She is often
unable to withdraw her o\-ipositor and ])erishes on the tree. Occasionall)',
the remains of a consitlcrable number ma\' be found about a single trunk.
A number of eggs are a])parentl)' deposited near together as the writer has
uncovered groups of \'oung larvae (juite near each other. It is also well
known that this species usually occurs in some numbers, if at all, in an
infested tree. The eggs have been described by Harris as oblong oval,

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 63

pointed at each end and rather less than V2,, of an inch in len^^th. It is
very probable that the life cycle is completed within 12 months, thongh no
observations on this point have been recorded to our kno\vledt,^e.

Parasites. This large borer is a common prey of an exceedingly
interesting parasite known as the lunate long sting, T h a 1 c s s a 1 u n a t o r
Fabr., which is a slender brown and yellow, wasplike insect about i ^ inches
long and with a delicate tail or ovipositor about 3 inches long, whence its
common name of long sting. This beneficial parasite is very conspicuous
and may be frequently seen with its long ovipositor arched over the back
and the membrane of the terminal segments of its abdomen distended as
it forces its slender tool deep in the wood, in an effort to place its eggs in
the vicinity of a borer. The male is a much smaller insect than the female.
On splitting open a log containing numerous larvae, the white legless mag-
gots of this parasite may be found with mouth parts inserted and sucking
the life fluids of its hapless prey. These parasites emerge from the trunk
of the tree through holes of a slightly smaller size than a common lead
pencil. The various stages of this insect are well shown in figure 6.

Food plants. This insect works more commonly in maples and elms in
New York, probably because there are more of these trees offering condi-
tions favorable for its development. It has also been recorded as attacking
apple, pear, beech, oak and sycamore.

Distribution. This species has been recorded from Canada, and the
northern Middle States and Missouri by Norton.

Reinedial measures. This insect is so rarely injurious in the United
States that active remedial measures will hardly ever be needed. It should
suffice in most instances if the trees are kept in vigorous condition. It is
also advisable on the score of economy and beauty, if on no other account,
to cut and burn all trees badly infested by this insect.

Bibliography
1862 Harris, T. W. Insects Injurious to Vegetation. Ed. 3, p. 536-3S
1890 Packard, A. S. U. S. Ent. Com. 5th Rep't, p. 379-'^ ■
1898 Felt, E. P. Fish, Game and For. Com. N. Y. 4th Rep't, p. 389-9°

64

NKW YORK STATE MUSEUM

Fig. 6 The lun.itc lonu su..g. Th^lcssa lunator: «-l:,rv.> , , ,.,i^- >,.^^„ uf head ; .--pupa;
</-tip o( pupal oiipositor showiiif; the pans ; f -female ; /-side view of female abdomen;
jr-maic; «-anal extremity of male, enlarged. (Riley, Ins. Lite, I. U. S. Dep't Agric.)

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES

65

Sugar maple timber beetle

Corthxliis pumiatissimui Zimm.
A dark brown or blaik, ratht-r stout, cylindric beetle aliout \k incli long, makes cir-
cular sometimes sijiral galleries in the roots of underground stems of sugar maple, huckle-
berry and a number of shrubs.

This species was met with by Dr C. H. Merriam in 1882, at Avhich time
it caused very serious injuries to the undergrowth of sugar maples in Lewis
county. New York. He states that a large per cent of the young trees
appeared to be dying, the leaves drooped, withered and finally shriveled and
dried, though they still clung to the branches. The majority of the trees
affected were from x jf, to about 3,'s inch in diameter and averaged from 3 to
6 feet in hight. On pulling up the affected trees they almost invariably
broke off at the level of the ground, and the ruptured portion showed that
it was perforated both vertically and horizontally by the peculiar channels
of this wood borer. During September and October Dr Merriam was
surprised to find that fully lO/'J of the apparently healthy young maples were
infested, by this beetle, and he concluded that they would all die during the
coming winter or next spring, so that hundreds of thousands of young trees
in Lewis county perished from the ravages of this borer during the summer
of 1882.

Description. The beetle is a dark brown or black,
cylindric, rather stout insect about ]/% inch long. It
may be recognized on comparison with figure 7 and
particularly by its characteristic work shown at figure 9.
The galleries of this insect consist of a series of circular,
nearly horizontal borings just within the sajnYOod of the
affected tree. The different galleries are connected
either by vertical or nearly vertical passages as illus-
trated in figure 9.

Life history. The life history of this insect in 'fis'^sim'u" (After Hubblrdi
huckleberry, has been carefully studied by Dr Schwarz. h^,. '^, I'^l p.'^jj''

66

NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

He States that the entrance hole leads into a circular gallery, the far-
thest end of which is always a little above or below the point of
attack. From this circular burrow a varying number of straight, short

galleries lead perpendicularly either upward
or downward. Sometimes the beetle exca-
vates below from the point of entrance
antl at other times above; in some cases
there may be as many as three circular
galleries one above the other, and in almost
every instance they are at or below the
surface of the ground. l)r Schwarz calls
attention to a novel feature in that this

FiR. 8 Ambrosia of C o r l h y 1 ii s p u n c l a t i s- . . . , ,

simus. A detached dumb-bell-shaped pair of msect sometuues constructs a straight gal-

cells. creatly enlarged. (Afler Hubbard, U. S. , , , , 1 ^ f ^1

Dep't Agric. Div. Ent. Bui. 7, n. s. p. gj) leT}' through the core or heart ot the root,

beginning at the top of the honeycombed portion and carrying it upward,
sometimes above the surface of the soil. This is believed to be a
hibernating gallery which the insects make in order to
.secure a dry place, where they can spend the winter.
The small tliaincter of huckleberry roots as compared
with those of maple, makes it very difficult for the
insect to follow the usual plan, and as a consequence
the galleries are more or less irregular, having wind-
ings similar to those of a corkscrew. The circular
galleries in any event have opening from them a
number of shorter brood chambers or grooves in which
the young are reared.

This species, like other timber beetles, feeds on
ambrosia, a fungus grown in the galleries. IMr Hub- ''"f^

bard states that this fungus consists of a confused mass (After" Hubba'rTu "s'"^""

punct
cleberry
er Hubb

of rather large conidia heaped together like fish roe. p.\")' ^"^ ^"'' '^"'•'•"■*-
He states that the cells lose some of their spheric shape by pressure. The
general form and structure of this fungus is illustrated at figure 8.

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 6/

Dr Schwarz states that this species is quite local in habitat and
apparently has a decided preference for shaded localities where the plants
grow on a decayed log, or where the soil is covered with a thick layer of
leaves. He believes that this species is largely subterranean in habit, since
it is rarely met with except in its food plant, and he has observed that the
beetles appear to be perfectly at home in the soil, digging through it with
astonishing rajjidity. All stages of this insect were met with !))• I)r Hop-
kins Aug. iS, in Wisconsin.

Food plants. This insect was first discovered on sugar maple and later
found in considerable numbers in huckleberry roots, Gaylussacia
resinosa. Dr Schwarz states that he failed to find it in the two allied
species, \' a c c i n i u m s t a m i n e u m and V. c o r \- m b o s u m. Dr Hop-
kins further records numerous hazel, sassafras and species of dogwood at
Dells Wis., which had been killed or were dying from the attacks of this
timber beetle, and adds that he has met with specimens in living sassa-
fras saplings over 2 inches in diameter, near Morgantown, two annual
growths having been formed over the entrance, showing that this species
does not always kill its food plant. Dr Hopkins has also taken this
species in water beech, C a r p i n u s c a r o 1 i n i a n a and ironwood, O s t r y a

\' i r g i n i c a.

Bibliography

1890 Packard, A. S. U. S. Rnt. Com. sth Rep't, p. 389-90

Elm borer

Sapcrda tridentata Olivier

The unthrifty condition indicated hy dead limbs or by dying limbs and diseased or

dying areas of bark on tlie trunk of American elms is the most frequent -sign of the

presence of this insect. Most of the injury is caused by the white footless grul)s working

under the bark.

This beetle is sometimes as injurious to the beautiful white elm as the
sugar maple borer, PI agio not us speciosus Say, is to the sugar
maple, and in places where this elm pest has become well established even
greater damage may result from its attacks. This is probably due to the

68 • NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

greater prolificacy of the elm pest, which sometimes occurs abundantly
beneath the bark, while the maple borer is usually present in much smaller
numbers. The infested elms are also attacked by other insects, as will be
shown in a subsequent para;4rai)h, and the ultimate result is very disastrous
to the trees.

Early history. The earliest record of injury b\- this insect is that given
by I)r Harris' in his report on insects injurious to vegetation. He states
that the trees on Boston common were found to have suffered considerably
from the ravages of this insect, several of them had already been cut down as
past recovery ; others were in a dying state, and that all of them were more
or less affected with disease or premature decay. Prof. S. A. Forbes,^ state
entomologist of Illinois, records the rapid progress which this pest has made
among the elm trees within the last two or three years. He states that it
seems e.xtremely likely that it will totally e.xterminate the elms unless it be
checked by general action. Dr J. A. Lintner, late state entomologist of New
York, in writing of this insect in 1893, characterized it as being destructive
throughout the state, and as one worthy of serious attention, if it were to
be prevented from causing serious injury. Prof. H. Garman, entomologist
of the Kentucky Agricultural E.xperiment .Station, records a case of .seri-
ous injury by this pest to elms at Prankfort. Several trees were diseased
and a number of other valuable elms dying ; those affected being among
the largest and finest in the State. A more recent outbreak at Berlin Mass.
was brought to the writer's attention in 1898. Several rows of young elms
were seriously injured by this insect, the associated 1\I a g d a 1 i s a r m i c o 1-
lis Say and I\I. barbita Say, and a number of trees were killed \sce
pi. 26J. It is probable that the two latter species were not unimportant
factors in making the trouble, though the elm borers were generally
present, and und()ul)tcilly caused considerable injvu-y. More recently, Prof.
A. F. Burgess has recorded serious damage by this insect to the elms of
Columbus O.

1862 Harris, T. W. Insects Injurious to Vegetation. Ed. 3, p. 111-13
'1881; Forbes, S. A. 111. State Ent. 14th Rep't, p. 11 2-14

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 69

Distribution. This species has been recorded from the following- locali-
ties : Canada, Vermont, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio,
Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa. It has in all probability a general
distribution at least throughout the northeastern United States.

Characteristics of attack. It is difficult to detect this insect till it has
become well established and the first signs are usually seen in the lighter,
thinner foliage followed by a limb dying here and there. Soon indications
of boring are apparent in the dark sawdust collected in crevices of the bark
and after the attack has progressed for some time, large portions of the
bark can be easily pulled from the tree, revealing a condition beneath very
much like that represented at figure 3 on plate 3. The inner bark and
sapwood are sometimes badly scored [pi. 27], and if the work has not
gone too far, numerous whitish, flattened, legless grubs may be found in the
channels they have eaten out. Mr L. H. Joutel is of the opinion that this
species normally works in dead or badly diseased tissues and from them
may invade the living bark. This is undoubtedly trut; in some cases, at
least, and in others it certainly appears as though this species was the prime
cause of the trouble. The observations of Mr M. F". Adams on a large
number of injured trees in the vicinity of Buffalo led him to blame the
primary injiu'y on this species.

Description. The parent insect is a modest gray beetle about y^. inch
long and marked with red lines and black spots, as shown at figure 4 of
plate 3. The specimen represented is an unusually well colored individual,
the dotting with black and portions of the red lines being frequently quite
indistinct. The flattened, legless, whitish grub is shown curled in its
burrow at figure i and the same extended at figure \a. The pupa, within
its elongated pupal cell, is represented at figure 2. It is yellowish white,
about ^ inch long, and with slender antennae curled along either side and
bent back over the breast.

Life history. The time necessary for this insect to complete its life
cycle is unknown but after rearing it seems probable that it is one and
perhaps two years. The larvae that are to transform to beetles in one

70 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

season change to pupae sometime about the middle of May or earher,
and the beetles begin to appear the latter part of that month and con-
tinue to emerge for some time, examples having been taken as late as
Aug 24. The eggs are deposited on the bark in June, according to the
observations of I)r Fitch, but it woultl seem very probable that oviposition
may occur much later, as the beetles are abroad till into August. The
attack usually begins at the base of the tree. The young grub works its
way under tlie bark ami begins feeding on the tissues, making a serpen-
tine burrow. The boring increases in size with the growth of the larva and
in the course of time the tree may be completely girdled and then it must
soon die. I)r Packard, writing in 1870, calls attention to finding three sizes
of larvae and the writer has fo.und it comparatively easy to separate those
taken from a badly infested piece of limb in a similar manner.

Food plants. This insect a])pears to infest the white elm almost exclu-
sively, though Ur hitch records it as breeding in the slipper)' elm. No
indications of its attacking either the English or .Scotch elms have been
seen in All)any. There is a record of this species having been rearetl from
ma[jle, but it wouKl seem that the infestation must have been accidental.

Associated insects. Two species of curculionid or snout beetles may
frequently be observed ■\vt>rking in elms attacked by this pest, but they
appear to follow and not to initiate an attack. M ag d a 1 i s a r m i c o 1 1 i s
Say and M. barb i t a .Say are both small beetles a little over '^ inch long,
the former reddish, and the other Ijlack |])1. 3, fig. 5, 6, Get \ and are
treated of on pages 71-73. The cocoons of a parasite, M e Ian obr aeon
simplex Cress., occurred in numbers under the ixirk where Saperda lar-
vae were abundant, on which the ichneumon ]jreys.

Another ally of .Saperda, Neoclytus erythrocephalus Fabr.,
is less common than the two species of Magdalis. This is a small reddish
beetle about 3/^ inch long and jirettily marked with three yellowish, nearly
transverse lines on each wing cover. It usually follows Saperda attack in
much the same way as does Magdalis.

Remedies. Hadlv infested trees sliould lie cut and burned liefore the

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 7 1

beetles have had an opportunity to emerge in the spring, that is before the
latter part of May, in the latitude of New York. And in a like manner
infested portions of others should be cut away and burned. This latter
treatment was given a lot of 1500 elms at Buffalo X. \., by Mr M. V.
Adams, who reports that the trees were benefited in a most gratifymg
manner.

Protecting the trees during the period of oviposition with a carbolic
acid wash has been frequently recommended but it is of doubtful utility.
Where this insect is very abundant and its injuries correspondingly serious,
it would do no harm to try the effects of a wash. One of the best may be
prepared as follows : thin a gallon of soft soap with an equal amount of hot
water and then stir in i pt. of crude carbolic acid, or j4 pt. of the refined,
and allow it to set over night. The ncNt day add 8 gal. of soft water and
apply to the parts to be protected, which in the case of this insect would be
the trunk and base of the lower limbs. The bark should be kept moist
with this substance from the latter part of May through to the end of July.

Removing portions of the bark has also been recommended. The
badly infested portion should be cut away and the grubs destroyed and
where a few are working in living bark, it might be well to remove the
upper layers till the grubs are nearly exposed and then brush over the
shaven surface with strong kerosene emulsion or whale oil soap solution,
finally covering the wound with a paste formed of a mixture of fresh cow
dung and lime or with a coat of cheap, red paint.

Bibliography
1896 Lintner, J. A. Ins. X. Y. 12th Rep't, p. 243-48
1899 Felt, E. P. N. Y. State Agric. Soc. Trans. 59: 278-79
iggc, Fish. Game and For. Com. 5th Rep'i, p. 371-75

Neoclytus erythrocephalus Fabr.
A small reddish beetle about H i'^-h long and prettily marked with three yellow,
nearly transverse lines on each wing cover, is rather frequently bred from elm, hickory,
and some other woods affected by borers.

72 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

This species is probably not injurious as a rule, though the larvae
undoubtedly hasten decay by running their galleries in dead and dying
wood. It is often associated with the much more injurious elm borer,

5 a ]) e r d a tridentata Oliv., and probably follows this species. It has
been bred by Dr Lintner, from elms infested by Saperda, 1 1 examples
emerging between April 29 and May 12, from a piece 3 inches long and

6 inches in diameter, and more were obtained from other sections on June 23,
and thereafter to July i. He has also reared it from hickory, locust and
pear twigs infested with Xyleborus dispar Fabr. Dr LeConte has
reared it from hickory logs infested by S i n o x y 1 o n b a s i 1 a r e Say., and
states that its borings are much coarser than the last named species, and
that it exhibits a decided preference for the softer portions of the wood.
The exit gallery of the adult may be distinguished from that of Sinoxylon,
according to him, by its gradually approaching the surface instead of at
right angles as in the case of the latter. Mr Chittenden regards this insect
as having no favorite food plant, since he has obtained numerous specimens
in about equal abundance, from trunk and branch of C o r n u s f 1 o r i d u s,
tulip (L i r i o d e n d r o n tulipifera), locust (Rol)inia pseud aca-
cia), Cercis canadensis, hickory and grapevine. He has observed
the adults common on appletrees, usually pairing and in such abundance
that there was little doubt but what they bred in the trees. The beetles
occur in Washington from the last of April till toward the end of July.
Individuals were reared by him from locust twigs kept indoors two years.
He states that the larval galleries are very extensive in dogwood, the young
evidently ])assing a considerable portion of its time under the hark, after-
ward penetrating the solid wood, which is still more extensively bored.
The pupal cell is often in the center of a large twig, and the exit is exca-
vated before the final transformations occur.

We have bred this insect several times from elm limbs infested by the
elm snout beetles, M a g d a 1 i s a r m i c o 1 1 i s Say., and M. b a r b i t a Say.,
and Mr Hubbard has had a similar experience. Dr Riley records finding a
a trravid female near the root of a rosebush at Washini^ton, and Mr Adams

IXSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 73

Tolman of Concord, states that he took two specimens on pine. We are
inclined to beHeve that this latter was merely an accidental occurrence. A
small parasite, Bracon agrilli Ashm., has been reared from cocoons,
frequently occurring in the galleries and pupal chambers made by this insect
in hickory.

Black elm snout beetle
J/ao(/a//s barbita Say

Dying or dead limbs with the inner bark infested by short, white, curved, legless
grubs, or with the outer bark showing circular exit holes, are usually caused by the work
of this little black beetle.

This small insect represented on plate 3, figure 6, is only about Y^
inch long, and together with the closely allied jM. a rm i c o 1 1 i s Say., has
been reared from elm in considerable numbers. The adult of this species
is easily recognized by its jet-black color in connection with its occurrence
in elm. The difference between the other stages of this and related forms,
if any, are very slight. The method of work of this species is shown on
plate 3.

Life history. The larvae of this beetle transform to pupae in May, and
adults begin to appear, according to Mr M. F. Adams of Buffalo, about the
2ist, and from the 23d to the 30th, he obtained them in large numbers, a
few emerging as late as June 9. The beetles feed to some extent on the
foliage, as the writer took a specimen on the underside of a young elm leaf
where it had skeletonized a small patch. This species apparently requires
but one year to complete its life cycle. The burrows of the grubs are about
ii^ inches long, running generally with the grain, and are confined very
largely to the inner layers of the bark. The final transformations to the
adult occur in oval cells just beneath its surface.

Food habits. This insect has been recorded by Mr W. H. Harrington,
as feeding on the bark of dead or felled hickories. He states that the
grubs live in great numbers between the bark and wood. Dr J. B. Smith,
state entomologist of New Jersey, records it froin shell bark hickory and as
breedin<^r in fallen hickories. It seems very probable that the above reports

74 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

are based on mistaken determinations, and that in reality they belong to a
very similar species, M. olyra Hbst. This elm borer was reared b)- us
in abundance from American elms growing at Berlin Mass., and in small
numbers by Mr M. F. Adams and the writer, from American elms in the
vicinity of Buffalo. These insects enter trees very shortly after injury, and
there are facts which go far toward showing that occasionally they may
attack trees in practically normal condition. It is sometimes very difficult
to decide \vhether this species or the elm borer, Saperda trident a ta
Oliv., is the primary cause of the death of shade trees. It seems probable
that in most cases at least, the elms became sickly before being seriously
injured by either insect.

Distribution. The e.xistence of this species in Canada, Pennsylvania,
Georgia and South Dakota, has been recorded by Dr Horn, and the records
given above show that it occurs in Mas.sachusetts, New York and New
Jersey. This species probably has a somewhat general distribution over
the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada.

Parasites. Several species were reared from trees badly infested by
this borer, and smaller numbers of M. armicollis Say and by Sap-
e r tl a t r i d e n t a t a ()li\-. The following parasites were in all probability
oljtained from this borer: Hrachistes magdalis Cress., Entelus
o n e r a t i b'itch, .S m i c r a m i c r o g a s t e r .Say, a pteromalid and a small
fly, L i m o s i n a c r a s s i m a n a Hal., all being determined by Messrs
Ashmead and Coquillett through the courtesy of Dr Howard.

Remedial measures. The most effective method of checking the devas-
tations of this insect and its allies, is found in cutting the infested limbs
and burning them before the appearance of the i)eetles in May. Thorough
work along this line will so reduce the numbers of the insect that they will
cause very little or no trouble. Prof. Pettit has suggested that in the case
of valuable shade trees, it might be well to cut poles of green elm and set
them nearby for the purpose of attracting the beetles. These poles should
be set the last of May and removed and burned sometime in July, provided

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 75

they are infested by the yrubs. This method has been successfully employed
in Germany, for the control of beetles possessing similar habits.

Bibliography
1899 Felt, E. P. Fish. Game and For. Com. 5th Rop't. p. 374

1899 Pettit, R. H. Mich. Agric. Exp. Sta. Hul. 175, p. .^62-63

1900 Felt, E. P. X. Y. State Mus. Kul. 37, p. 22

Reddish elm snout beetle

Maoda/is ariii/cfl/Iis Say

This beetle may be distinguished from the preceding by its reddish
color. It has been reared in small numbers by the writer from American elms
growing at Berlin Mass., and in larger numbers from the same wood received
through Mr M. F. Adams of Buffalo. It has also been obtained from elms
by several other entomologists. Dr Horn states that this form occurs with
the preceding and this accords with experience of other entomologists. Its
life history, so far as known, is practically the same as that of M. barbi t a
Say, and the remedial measures of value against the preceding species would
doubtless prove of equal service in the case of this insect.

Leopard moth
Zetizcra pyrina Fabr.

Dead limbs, projecting above leafy branches or broken and hanging in the midst of
otherwise healthy trees are the most conspicuous signs of this insect's work.

Dead limbs may frequently be seen projecting above the leafy masses
of many trees in New York city and vicinity. These and the sudden wilt-
ing of living ones are, in many cases, the effects of the destructive work
of^he leopard moth caterpillar. This is probably the worst insect enemy
of shade trees in the vicinity of New York city. It not only bores in slen-
der twigs, but as the caterpillar increases in size, it enters larger limbs and
before attaining its growth frequently intlicts serious injury on the trunk.

Description. This insect is most easily recognized in connection with
its work. Boring within the smaller twigs, there may be found a pinkish or
white caterpillar\bout -> « inch long, with numerous well defined, darker

76 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

spots or tubercles on its body, a brown head and thoracic shield and an anal
shield of nearly the same color. Short hairs grow from the tubercles and
are also found about the head and posterior extremity. The burrows in
the larger limbs and trunk may contain caterpillars over 3 inches long,
nearly white, and with larger, more distinct spots or tubercles than in the
earlier stages [pi. 4, fig. 4]. The beautiful white moths marked with blue
and black are well represented, the female, with wings, folded at 2 and the
male with them expanded at 3, on plate 4. The salmon colored eggs are
about the size of a common pin head and in captivity are deposited in a
large mass. This borer's work is shown on plates 28, 29. '

History and distribution in America. This insect is another of the bad
pests accidentally introduced within recent years. The earliest authentic
record of its presence in America is the brief note given by Jacol) Doll in
Papilio for I'^ebruary 1882, stating that he had taken a living example in a
spider's web the preceding June at Hoboken N. J. Its destructive work
was observed in 1884 by Dr K. B. Southwick in Central Park, New York
city. It was taken in 1887 at Newark N. J., and in 1889 at Arlington and
Orange N. J. Colonel Pike, in 1892, after describing the widespread rav-
ages of the insect in Brooklyn, reported it as present at Astoria, New
Rochelle, lamaica, New Lots and Flatbush, and at a later date stated that
the pest iiatl made its way to almost all parts of Long Island and had
extended into Connecticut. In 1894, l)r Soutliwick characterized this pest
as "one of the worst insects we have to contend with." Mr L. M. |outel of
New York informed me recently that this species was present at Kensico,
Westchester county, some 25 miles north of New York city. It appears to
be confined very largely to cities and villagi's and apparently tloes nf)t thrive
in the country. As this insect occurs in southern and central Lurope and
possil)ly in southern Sweden, we may expect the pest to make its way farther
north. On this account, the last American locality given has exceptional
interest, showing, as it does, that this borer is working northward. It is yet
early to state how fast the pest will s]jread. At present the rate appears to
be slow, but it will ccrtainl)' do no harm t(j keep on the watch for the appear-

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES "J

ance of the insect in new localities in the State. Searching for indications
of the borer's presence along- the Hudson River, specially in cities and vil-
lages, may result in its detection in several new localities.

Life history and habits. Moths may be taken from early June till the
latter part of September. European authorities state that the female places
her eggs in crevices of the bark in branches as well as the trunk. Since the
young caterpillars frequently enter the twigs at the base of a bud [pi. 4,
fig. I !(?], it seems quite probable that many of the oval, salmon colored eggs
may be thrust between the stem and bud or under a bud scale. Several
observers have noted the deposition of about 300 eggs by the female in con-
tinement and some writers estimate that she may deposit as many as 1000
eggs. When a young caterpillar enters a twig, it usually tunnels along the
pith, eating away the wood here and there almost to the bark. The expelled
frass at the base of the bud indicates the point of entry. As the caterpillar
works along the twig, it occasionally makes an opening for the e.xpulsion of
its frass [see pi. 4, fig. 8]. These orifices, after they have served their pur-
pose, are closed by a web of silk, as represented at figure 7 on plate 4.
This singular habit of closing these holes when no longer needed, probably
affords considerable protection from insect parasites and it would also tend
to prevent birds from finding the caterpillars so readily. The smaller twigs
frequently wilt and break as a result of the work of this borer. The latter
part of September caterpillars 3,8 inch long were found, having probably
hatched from eggs laid the latter part of the summer, and the larger borers,
about one inch long, from eggs deposited earlier in the season. These
creatures have a habit of leaving their burrows, wandering to another part
of the limb or even to other branches, and commencing operations anew.
As they increase in size, larger limbs are attacked and nearly full grown
caterpillars are frequently found in the trunk. In the larger limbs and in
the trunk, these borers make very bad work. Sometimes a caterpillar will
nearly girdle a tree with a burrow just under the bark. Frequently several
burrows run side by side, as represented in figure 10, plate 4. Many of the
caterpillars will keep gnawing away just under the bark till an irregular

•jZ NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

chamber the size of a man's hand has Ijcen made. The bark covering
these large wounds soon dies, breaks away and the following season there is
an ugly scar, as represented at figure 9, on plate 4. In a short time small
trees harl)oring several of these creatures are cpiickly girdled. Two years
are required to complete the life cycle, according to most authorities.
The first winter is passed by the small caterpillar, usually less than an inch
long, in its burrow. The seconel winter it is nearh' full grown | pi. 4. hg. 4].
The transformation to the quie.scent pupa \\)\. 4, fig. 5] takes place in the
burrow, the bark having previously been eaten nearly through by the cater-
pillar, liefore the adult ap])ears, the jnipa works itself partly out of th(j
burrow | pi. 4, fig. 6j and the moth emerges, leaving the empty pupal case
as represented at figure i, plate 4.

This pernicious borer has been recorded as attacking 83 species of
trees and shrubs. According to the observations of Dr E. B. Southwick,
entomologist to the department of public parks of New York, the elms
and maples are most subject to attack, the horse-chestnut, ()hio buckeye
( .\ e s c u 1 u s glabra), beeches, birches, dogwood, hickories, oaks, and
walnuts suffering in the order named. Almost every species of tree and
shrub in Central Park, e.Kcept evergreens, was injured to some; extent.

Remedies. Something can be accomplished by the destruction of the
rather sluggish females before eggs are deposited. This is of most value
where there are onl)- a few small trees. In localities where this insect
occurs, trees should be examined three or four times a year. The wilting
of smaller twigs and the strings of expelled frass indicate the presence of
this borer. .Smaller infested branches can be cut off and burnc-d, and as the
caterpillars leave their burrows on slight provocation, their destruction
should not be delayed long after cutting. Limbs broken off by storms
should be collected and burned, as they fretjuenth' contain caterpillars of
this pest. The borers in larger branches or in the trunks should be cut out
and destroyed whenever possible. In some cases they may be killed in
their burrows with a tlexible wire. l)r M 15. .Southwick, who has had
considerable experience in fighting the pest in Central Park, New York,

INSFXTS AFFECTIXC; PARK AXD WOODLAND TRF.ES 7g

has found that it pays to use carI)on hisulf'id on the more valuable trees.
The insecticide is carried in an oil can and when a caterpillar can be
located, the chemical is injected in the burrow and the hole sealed with
putty. The deadly fumes soon make their way to \.hc. borer and kill it with
little or no injury to the tree. As the carbon bisulfid is very volatile, its
vapor inflammable and explosive, great care must be taken to keep it from
all tire. Mr M. F. Adams of Huffalo N. Y., who has tried some experi-
ments in fighting borers, recommends the use of newly made hard soap
in the place of putty for plugging the holes after the carbon bisulfid has

been inserted.

Bibliography

1893 Lintner, J. A. Ins. N. Y. 9th Rt-p't, p. 426-27

1898 Felt, E. P. Fish. Game and For. Com. 4th Rep't, p. 380-S4

Carpenter worm

Prioitoxysfiis rohiniac Peck

A large reddish white caterpillar boring large holes in the solid wood of different
kinds of oak, ma])le and locust belongs to this species.

This insect is a serious enemy of several of our native trees, though it
rarely causes their death because its operations are confined very largely
to the heartwood. It frequently produces serious deformities and thus
renders unsightly trees which should be an ornament to the landscape.
The writer's attention was called to this insect in 1900 by Miss Mary B.
Sherman of Ogdensburg N. Y. Two pupal cases were sent June 16, with
the statement that they were projecting from the trunk of a maple tree
which was full of burrows, and July 2, a moth of this species was taken on
one of the infested trees. Examples of this insect's work were subse-
quently sent from Ogdensburg, and '3 of the section of a tree about 15
inches in diameter was riddled with the large burrows of this wood borer.
Miss Sherman stated that it was so abundant as to ruin a mnnber of fine
maples in that locality, over 20 of these caterpillars being taken from a
single trunk. About this time Mr M. F. Adams reported this insect as
quite injurious to ash trees in the parks at Buffalo, and througli his

8o NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

courtesy the writer was enabled to examine a number of trees infested
by this species.

Early history. The work of this caterpillar was first broii_i,dit to public
notice by Prof. \V. D. Peck in 1818, when the insect was briefly described,
and its injuries to locust trees in the vicinity of Cambridge Mass., recorded.
Professor Peck also states that he met with this species in black oak. Dr
Harris mentions the borer under the name of Xyleutes, ami l)r P'itch gave
a detailed account of its work in 1858. He characterizes this species as by
far the most pernicious wood-boring insect, and adds that it wounds the
trees most cruelh'. He observes that the stateliest oaks in our forest are
mined and probably ruinctl in every instance " where one of these borers
obtains lodgment in their trunks. It perforates a hole the size of a half inch
auger, large enough to admit the little finger and recpiiring 3 or 4 years for
the bark to close over it." These holes run inward to the heart of the tree,
and admit the water from every shower, which causes the wood to decay and
soon ruins the trees. Dr Riley, writing of this insect in 1870, characterizes
it as a serious enemy to the locust in Iowa, and states that it aids the locust
borer, Cyllene robiniae P'orst., in destroying locust groves through-
out the country. Prof. C. W. Johnson in 1896 records this species as very
injurious to black oak at Bellville, Mifflin co., Pa., and gives an instance of
its killing many trees in that neighborhood. This insect has also been
noticed by a number of later writers. Professor Lugger states that this
borer is not uncommon in Minnesota, and that it is frequently attracted to
electric lights. Professor Hillman records it as common in Nevada in
locust, elm and poplars. It is stated by Professor Buffum to be the species
which attacks cottonwoods in Wyoming, and Professor Gillette states that
it is confined almost exclusivel)- to cottonwoods in Colorado.

Life history and habits. The moth may be found abroad in New York
during the greater part of June, and Dr Fitch states that it occurs in the
early part of July. This species was bred June 8, igoo, from infested ash
logs received from Mr M. V. Adams of Buffalo, and many more a])|)eared
between the 20th and 2 2d, and one the 28lh. .Several moths were bred

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 8 1

from the same ash log the following spring, showing that the insect can live
for a considerable period in the dead, nearly dry tissues. This insect is
said to be a most prolific one by Dr Fitch, who obtained upwards of 300
eggs from one female within a few hours after its capture. The discharge
of this large number was followed by a reduction in the bulk of the abdo-
men of about 3-2- A good sized female was dissected by the writer who
found 269 well formed eggs and about 133 partly developed, making a total
of 402. This large number filled the entire abdominal cavity, and more
could be developed only in the case of a somewhat prolonged adult stage
during which enough food must be taken to permit the development of the
ova. Dr Fitch states that more than 1000 eggs have been found on dissec-
tion in the case of an allied European insect, and he concludes that a single
'one of these insects is capable of ruining a whole forest of oak trees. Dr
Fitch's observations led to the belief that in New York State at least this
species is more commonly met with in the oaks than in the locust, and this
conclusion is justified by the w-riter's observations in more recent years.
The eggs of this insect are apparently stuck in crevices in the tree, and in
the case of a captive female, she did not hesitate to tuck a number in
the deserted burrow of the mottled \villow borer, C r y p t o r h \- n c h u s
lapathi Linn. The eggs are covered by glutinous matter which causes
them to adhere to any surface with which they come in contact and in the
case of the captive referred to above, they were carefully packed away in
what evidently appeared to be a suitable crevice. Examination of infested
trees seems to indicate that the eggs are deposited by preference in the
vicinity of some wound or scar, and after the insect has once obtained an
entrance, this place is a favorite jwint for the deposition of eggs in later
years. Dr J. 13. .Smith expresses the opinion that the eggs are laid about
such places, and that the young larvae continue the old burrows in the
heartwood, and that in time a series of galleries may be the work of several
generations, all entering at nearly the same point. The writer's observa-
tions would appear to bear out the statement of Dr Smith. The habit of
the larva has been described by Dr Fitch as follows: it feeds at first on the

82 NEW YORK STATE MfSEUM

soft inner bark, later penetrating^ the harder sapwood and finally resorts to
the solid heartwood, residinj^ mostl)- in and around the center of the trunk,
boring the wood in a longitudinal direction, and moving backward and
forward in its burrows enlarging them as it increases in size. The entire
excavation is therefore of a nearly uniform diameter. Dr Fitch records
meeting fully grown and others but half grown in one tree, and adds that
the same oak had been extensively mined by preceding generations of this
insect, and was decayed. The writer has met -with at least two very different
sizes of larvae in one tree at the same time. Dr Fitch records the fact
that none of the caterpillars were in decaying wood, but all were working in
tissues which were still sound, and adds that the insect evidently prefers the
healthy tree. Mr L. 11. Joutel recently found two young larvae of this
species feeding on the pupae of C y 1 1 e n e r o b i n i ae Forst. and another
about to devour a pupa, indicating a willingness on the part of these cater-
pillars to vary their diet. The life cycle of this species is believed to
occupy three years, and certainly extends over two at the very least. The
transformation to the pupal state occurs in oval cells made at the extremity
of the galleries. The free end of the burrow is packed with borings | pi. 5,
fig. 6]. The appearance of the adult is preceded by the pupa working
itself along the gallery and partly out of the entrance to the burrows [pi. 5,
fig. 5]. This permits the disclosure of the moth in the open air, and
thus avoids her being injured by crawling through rough and devious gal-
leries. The duration of the pupal stage has been given by Dr iMtch as
probably two weeks or longer. See plate 30 for this borer's work.

Description. The adult insect is a magnificent, grayish moth having a
wing spread in the female of about 3 inches. Her general color is a
dark gray mottled with a very light gray, and with traces of yellowish on
the hind wings. The males are considerably smaller, with a wing spread
of about 2 inches, and they may be quickly recognized by the large orange
red marking on the hind wing. The male is darker than the female, the
forewings being a very dark gray with a few light gray mottlings. The
anterior portion of th(' hind wings is nearly black, and there is a large

IXSECTS AFFECTING PARK AXD WOODLAND TREES 83

reddish blotch covering most of the posterior portion. The abdomen is
coal-black. The male may also be recognized by its more pectinate
antennae.

The pupa is about i)4 inches in length, brownish in color, and with
the dorsal surface of the abdominal segments ornamented with conspicuous
rows of toothlike processes, as represented in plate 5, figure 6. The anterior
row on each of the segments having two is much stouter than the pos-
terior. The three terminal segments have but a single row in the
female, while in the male there is a second row on all except the last two.
This sexual character w^as first brought to attention by Dr Lintner in
his 2d report as state entomologist.

The full grown larva is a large white caterpillar about i]^ inches long.
The head is brownish, with mouth parts a very dark brown, and the well
developed thoracic shield is dark brown along its anterior margin. The
white body is frequently suffused with rose red, and bears on each segment
several minute brownish tubercles from each of which there springs a
hair. The spiracles are brownish. The young larvae resemble the nearly
matured ones very closely.

The eggs have a broadly oval form, and are about one half the size of
a grain of wheat, being Vio inch in length, and about ^ that in diameter.
They are of a dirty whitish color, with one of the ends black, and when
highly magnified, the surface is seen to be finely reticulated or marked by
rows of slightly impressed dots [pi. 5, fig. J^a].

Distribution. This insect is a rather common borer in Massachusetts,
New York and New Jersey, and has been recorded from as far south as
Te.xas. It is also regarded as quite injurious in the Western States. It
would thus appear that the insect has a general distribution in the states
east of the Rocky mountains, at least.

Food plants. The describer of this insect. Professor Peck, met with it
first in black locust, and subsequently observed the same species in black
oak. The insect is also known to attack ash and maples, which are injured
very seriously in New York at least, and in the Western States it is

84 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

rej,farcled as a dangerous enemy of cottonwood. Dr J. B. Sniitli records
this insect as workinjr in willow, poplars, and chestnut in adilition to those
t;ivcn above, and he adds that infested trees are of little value for any
other purpose than fuel. ^

Remedial measures. This moth's hahit of de|)ositinL,r ''.i^^s^'^ i'l crevices,
particularly about injuries caused by earlier attacks or possibly by other
borers, may be taken advantage of to protect trees to some extent by
keeping the trunks smooth. Rough, wounded places should be carefully
dressed and in the case of a serious injury by earlier borings, it would pay
to cement and otherwise close these points of entrance, and in some
instances the insects might be killed by injecting carbon bisulfid.

It is very possible that this could be done even after the attack has
been in progress for some years and a serious wound made. A con-
siderable amount of the insecticide should be used in such cases, and all
the orifices at the point of entrance covered and sealed with cement, putty,
or soap, so as to prevent the rapid escape of the fumes. The employment
of this insecticide might advantageously accompany the use of cement in

many cases.

Bibliography

:8i8 Peck, W. D. Mass. Agric. Rep. 5th Rf])'!, p. 67-73

1859 Fitch, Asa. Ins. N. Y. 5th Rep't, p. 4-10

1890 Packard, A. S. U. S. Em. Com. i;th Rep't, p. 53-58

1896 Johnson, C. W. Pa. Dep't .\v,r\i. Rep'i, ]>. 353-55

Round-headed apple borer

Sapcri^d iiDididii babr,

A round-headed, white, lei^less gnih infests thorn apjile, mountain ash and shadbush
as well as fruit trees, niakini; lari^e tunnels at the base of the trunk and frec|uently killing
the trees.

There is no insect so well known as this species, which has become
notorious on account of its severe injuries to fruit trees, many of which
are killed before they have been in the ground more than three or four
years, and thousands are rendered comparatively worthless when not killed
outright.

IXSECTS AFFECTIXG PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 85

Life history. The life history of this insect may be summarized as
follows. The young borer on the approach of winter, descends as near the
ground as its gallery will allow and remains inactive till the following spring,
when it renews operations, and on the approach of the second winter it is
about half grown and still living in the sapwood. The most damage is
done at tl^is period, because where four or five occur in a single tree they
almost girdle it. The next summer, when it has become
about three fourths grown, it cuts a cylindric passage
upward into the solid w'ood and having completed its
larval growth, continues this passage to the bark, some-
times cutting entirely through a tree to the opposite
side and occasionally turning back at a different angle.

. . . ' . Fig. 10 Round-headed

The injury is so severe that several borers in a tree borer, beetle

may fairly riddle its base. The upper end of the gallery is stuffed with
fine borings and the lower part filled with long wood fibers. The larva
remains unchanged in this cell through the winter, transforming to a pupa
the following spring, and the beetle appears sometime during the sum-
mer, escaping through a circular exit hole.

Distribution. This species is a common pest in southern Canada and
the Eastern, Middle and Western States. It does not appear to have been
listed from the Pacific slope.

Description. The beetle is about 3^ inch long and may be easily
recognized by its brownish color with two white bands joined at the front
and extendimr to the tip of the wing covers. The underside and front of
the head, white, and the antennae are light gray with legs lighter.

Natural enemies. A small parasite known as C e n o c o e 1 i u s p o p u-
1 a t o r Say, has been reared from this insect, and the downy woodpecker
and the great golden woodpecker have been observed in infested orchards.
These two birds and probably others are undoubtedly of considerable
value in destroying the grubs of this pernicious borer.

Remedial measures. These are practicable only in the case of highly

86 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

valued trees, and corisist in cutting out the borers or else in recourse to
protective bandages or offensive washes, the former making it impossible to
deposit eggs where the parent insect desires, and the latter rendering the
base of the trunk unattractive to the insects.

Bibliography
1904 Felt, E. P. & Joutel, L. H. X. V. State Mus. Bui. 74, p. 23-39

Common flat-headed borer

Chrysobothris ftniorata Fabr.
A somewhat in<ons[)iruous, iiietallic, grayish, flattened beetle about j4 to Y% inch
long, occurs on various trees, and its legless, flat-headed grub makes shallow galleries in
the wood.

This, thr common tlat-headc'd borrr of the appk-tree, infests a numlier
of forest trees, and the term apple borer is hardly characteristic.

Description. The beetle ranges from yi to about 5/^ inch in length,
and is of an obscur(; metallic color. It may be recognized, according to
Dr LeConte, by the serrulate margin of the last ventral .segment, the
irregular surface of the thora.x, the acute median notch of the chpeus and
its somewhat circular outline on each side. The anterior tibiae of the male
are slightly dilated at the tip and with the inner side denticulate.

The grub is a slender-bodied, legless creature, with an enormously
dilated, flatteneil head.

Life history. The beetles appear from the end to the middle of May,
and ma)' often be seen resting on the trunks of trees or flying around them
during the daytime. The eggs are deposited on the bark, probably in a
crevice. The young grub makes its way under the bark, and during its
early stages feeds on the sapwood immediately beneath. As it increases
in size, it gnaws into the more scjlid heartwood, forming somewhat dilated,
irregular flattened burrows quite distinct from the nearly cylindric ones
made by some of the long-horned borers. The winter is passed at some
deptii within the wooil. The larvae work towartl the surface in the spring.

IXSECTS AFFECTINC; PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 87

where the pupal cell is excavated and the adults emerge from the somewhat
elliptic burrow.

Food plants. This insect affects a number of trees, it having been
recorded from mountain ash, horse-chestnut, linden, box elder, beech, apple,
pear, plum, cherry, peach, oak, sycamore, chestnut, hickory and soft maple,
and we have taken specimens on spruce and hemlock.

Distribution. This species has a very wide distribution. Dr Hopkins
states that it occurs in Canada and in every state and territory in the Unit(;d
States and extends into Me.xico. He adds that the species is quite variable,
though in a large series, the specific identity of all forms is easily demon-
strated. He comments briefly on some six forms which have been
characterized.

Natural enemies. Several natural enemies have been reared from
the larvae. Dr Riley records obtaining Br aeon char us Riley and
C r y p t u s g r a 1 1 a t o r Say, besides a chalcid Hy.

Remedial measures. Comparatively little can be done for any except
the more valuable fruit and shade trees. Some protection undoubtedly
results from coating the trunk and larger limbs of the tree with a
repellant wash such as the carbolic soap wash, frequently used against the
round-headed apple borer, S a p e r d a Candida Fabr. Repeated inspec-
tions in July and August should result in the detection of the borers, and it
is then comparatively easy to dig them out before much injury has been

caused.

Bibliography

1890 Packard, A. S. U. S. Ent. Com. 5th Rep't, p. 64-69

White ants

Tcrmcs flavipcs Kollar

White, wingless antHke creatures, occurring in dead stumps or in decaying or other
timbers of houses, are familiar to most people.

This species is an enemy of timber in houses, particularly in the
Southern States, and in the North it occasionally causes considerable
injury. This pest is met with somewhat commonly in hard pine stumps

88

NliW YORK STATE ML'SEUM

and dt-ai,! trunks arc sometimes riddled by the insect. One small dead
hart! piiu- had been tunneletl by this species to the hight of 4 feet from
the t^roinul. It was a somewliat common species in decaying hard pine

•"ig. 11 T e r me s f 1 .1 v i p <
f-samc or female; rf-mal
segments and claw; a, d^
Aehc. Div. Ent. Bui. 4. n.

: (2— adult male; ^—terminal abdominal segment of s

omcwhat inflated; .--side view of abdomen of female; /-tarsus showing

re enlarged: *, c, f are greatly enL-irged. (After Marlatt. U. S. Dcp't

1896)

Stumps near Manor L. I., in 1900. The principal effect the species has
in these situations is to hasten decay, and in the forest this can hardly
be counted undesirable. Tin; insects, however, may make their way from

Fig. 12
Bui.

f I ;i V i i> e s : a ■dors.il vierf of head of winded fem.ale; /■ venir.il .ispect of
Ih parts open.greatly enlarged. (After Marlatt, U. S. Dep't Agric. Div. Ent.

decaying stumps outdoors into dwellings and their presence in such places
may be followed by serious injuries. Professor Webster has recorded this
species as quite injurious in Oiiio, not only to buildings, but also to small
trees, and the writer has received several complaints in recent years of

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 89

their annoying operations in dwellings in Alljany and vicinity. Dr A. S.

Packard has recorded this species as injuring a wounded elm tree at Salem

Mass., and Dr Hagen cites an instance where
it attacked living maple trees. He states that
three trees more than 60 feet high and 2 feet
in diameter and apparently in good condition,
eNcept for a splitting of the bark in some places,
were infested. On removing portions of the
bark, living white ants were found and proved to
belong to this species. Observations revealed

Fig .3 Tern,es fiavipes: ».dorsai tile presettceof suiall Open gangways, covered

view of newly hatched larva; ^=vcn-
tral aspect of same; t—egg, all enlarged.
(After Marlatt, U. S. Dep't Agric. Div.
Ene. Bui. 4. n. s. i8q6)

outside by the split bark,

which ran along the tree

to a hight of 30 feet or

more. There were no

old rotten stumps near

by, except on some of the

adjacent estates. The
infested trees were
remarkable for their
abnormall)- small leaves
and an examination
showed that the bark in
the vicinity of the gang-
way had been extensively
bored by these miners.
The general facts con-
cerning the life history
of this insect and the different forms the species assumes are so well known
that detailed descriptions of them in this connection seem hardly necessary.

90

NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

Bibliography

1896 Marlatt, C. L. U. S. Pcp't Agric. Div. F.nt. l!ul. 4. n. s. p. 70-76

Large black carpenter ant
Caviponotus licrcitlancus Linn.

A large black ant may be observed running in and out of diseased trees and on
examination it may be found that a considerable proportion of the interior has been
honeycombed.

These insects are ai)i)arently unabU: to enter a sound tree and only
where a wound lays bare the wood are they apt to effect an entrance. This
is specially true when the diseased area is near the ground. Plate 31,
figure 2 illustrates how thoroughly this species can honeycomb the
interior of an elm tree. The irregular method of work is probably to be
explained by the fibers of this tree interlacing so closely that there is very
little or no difference in the texture of the wood made in the different
seasons of the year. Plate 31, figure i, illustrates the work of the same
species in balsam, and it will be seen that the method of operation is
entirely different. The wood has been excavated along well defined lines,
antl that which is allowed to remain forms portions of large lamina. An
examination of the specimens revealed the fact that the ants had eaten out
the softer portion of the wood and left the harder parts formed towards the
end of the season, when growth was comparatively slow and the wood
correspondingly firmer. The work of this species in balsam was observed
by the writer in 1900 at several localities in the Adirondacks. In one or
two instances the trees were so honeycombed that they broke in heavy
winds and fell. One balsam, which at tht! time of observation, was badly
infested with Tomicus balsameus Lee, had been entered by these
ants in large numbers and their galleries continued to a hight of 4 or 5
feet, rendering that portion of the tree worthless for anything else but
firewood.

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES QI

Linden borer

Sapcrda vcstita Say

Large, irregular galleries at the base of the tree, inhabited by a white, legless borer,
are very likely the work of this sjiecies.

This insect is a rather comnion borer of the linden and is occasionally
quite injurious. It not only attacks full grown trees used for ornamental
purposes but soinetimes occurs in the nursery, where it may cause consid-
erable injur)-.

Life history. The beetles appear toward the end of the summer and
feed on the bark and leaf stems and also the larger veins on the underside
of the leaves and on the green bark of the growing shoots, often killing
the tips of the branches. The injury by them is quite noticeable when the
insects are abundant. A female may contain as many as 90 eggs, which are
deposited two or three in a place on the trunk or branches, specially about
the forks in slight incisions and punctures made for their reception with her
strong jaws. The larvae mine the bark for a distance of 6 to 8 inches froin
the place where they hatch and often penetrate the wood to a considerable
extent, according to Dr Packard, who states that this insect works at the
base of young lindens, gouging two parallel rings around the trunk and
forming annular swellings. We have seldom found the work of this species
more than 12 inches above the ground, and in our e.xperience it occurs very
largely in exposed roots and subterranean parts, though.it has been taken
from the lower limbs of large trees \scc pi. 6]. Nothing is known con-
cerning the time required to complete the life cycle.

Food plants. We doubt if this insect infests other than lindens,
though it has been recorded by some writers from poplar, elm and in apple.

Description. The beetle is black and so densely covered by an olive-
yellow pubescence, that, as a rule, only a few black spots are observable
near the middle of the wing covers [pi. 6, fig. 16].

Distribution. This species has been recorded from Canada south to
Pennsylvania and westward to Iowa. It is probably generally distributed
in the eastern United States, at least.

g2 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

Remedies. It is inipossihlc to control this insect on otlicr than
valuable trees, and for such, dij^ging out the borers, with possibly recourse
to the use of repellant washes is about all that can be done, and in the
majority of cases should afford considerable protection.

Bibliography

1904 Felt. E. P. & Joutel, L. H. X. Y. State .Mus. P.ul. 74, p. 54-58

Ash borer

Podosfs/a Jraxini Lugger
Bonni^ ash trunks, a white, sparsely haired caterpillar.

rhis species is very closely alli<tl to P. syringae and according to
Or Lugger, its descrilier, is very common in tht- prairie regions of Min-
nesota and -South Dakota. It also occurs in Montana. It seriously
injures the ash and attacks that tree when it is grown for wind-breaks.
It is so destructive that, as a general rule, the trees are unable to
attain a large size before thc'y begin to break down. All parts of the trees
are infested though the borers are more commonly found just below the
surface of the soil. The yoimg trees succumb easily while larger ones may
survive the attack for many )ears.

Description. Male. Head black between the eyes ; face dirty whitish ;
palpi dull orange, mixed with some black hairs ; collar reddish orange in
front, yellow behind. Antennae rufous. Thora.x blackish, with' the patagia
becoming yellow posteriorly ; transverse mark at base of thorax yellow.
Abdomen black, with a yellow band at the posterior end of each segment, or
the last four segments are wholly yellow, or are marked with orange at the
sides, sometimes extending almost over the whole surface of the last three.
Fore wings opaque except a short transparent and orange brown basal
streak, with the discal mark heavier, veins at base sometimes stained with
red; underside golden yellow. Hind wings transparent, margin and veins
yellowish brown, underside stained with yellow.

Female. .Similar to the male, but more robust and larger. Lxpanse :
male, 25-30 mm ; female, 30-35 mm. BcuieiiDinller

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 93

Locust borer

Cyllenc robiniac Forst.
Irregular ugly scars oi)ening into burrows about ]i inch in diameter are very com-
mon on our native black locust. This is the work of a black beetle, less than ?i inch
long, very prettily marked with golden yellow. May be found in considerable numbers
in the fall on golden-rod.

The work of this insect is very common on black locust trees in Xew
York State, and the beetle occurs in considerable numbers each year. The
species is such a pretty one that it is not infrequently submitted to the
entomologist with an inquiry as to its name and habits. Its depredations
are so serious in some sections of the .State as to mar the beauty of our
locust trees. Almost every row of any size may be recognized at a distance
by the large number of dead limbs projecting above the leafy branches, an
appearance which in most cases must be attributed to the work of this
borer. Its operations lower down, particularly in the case of small trees,
produce very unsightly scars which admit moisture and promote decay.

Early history. This species was observed by Dr Harris in Massachu-
setts, who characterizes the pest as a most destructive insect. Dr Fitch,
in 1858, states that this borer is the greatest obstacle to the cultivation of
the locust tree with which the growers have to contend. He records an
instance in the city of Utica where one of the principal thoroughfares,
early planted with locusts, had been invaded by this borer, and the mag-
nificent trees either killed outright or totally ruined. He states that
Micheaux records this species as so destructive 50 years before that many
were prevented from planting the locust. Dr Fitch adds that heretofore,
this borer appeared to have been a pest in the older settled section of our
country and that no doubt in time it will become equally destructive in the
newer 'districts. He considers this a native species though some of the
earlier writers thought it was an introduced form. It was noticed by
MrS. S. Rathvon in 1861, who records this species as one of the most
common and destructive to this tree, and incidentally he confuses this insect
with the hickory- borer, C 1 y t u s p i c t u s Drury.

94

NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

This species was noticed in 1866 by Dr Walsh who states that till 20
years before it was unknown in Illincns; shortly after it commenced its
depredations in Chicago, spread to the; south, southwest or west through
the state, sweeping the locust before it. In i860 it had destroyed most
of these trees in central Illinois, ami in 1863 it was present in immense
numbers in Rock Island, and in the two following years nearly destroyed the
locust in that section. He states that it had crossed the river into Iowa in
1865, ami in a note the following year records it from Lawrence Kan.,
where it had been observed by a correspondent in 1865.

I )r Walsh clearly distinguished between this species and the hickory
borer, Clytus pictus Drury. Dr b'itch in 1858, states in reference to
the report that the insect had not yet made its appearance west of the
Mississippi, that he had received specimens year after year from Indian
Territory west of Arkansas, and that in all probal)ility the species occurs all
over that portion of the country in which the locust grows.

This statement of Dr F"itch's is confirmed by Messrs Walsh antl Riley
receiving this borer from Omaha Xcb., in 1868. Rev. C. J. S. Bethune
writing of this insect in 1877, states that it was first recorded in Canada in
1855, ^\'lien some locust trees at Montreal were attacked and in 1862 it
began to be very destructi\e to these trees in Toronto, and was for several
years excessively abundant. He adds that it appeared in enormous num-
bers at London Can. in 1873, and at the time of writing it appeared to be
generally distributed throughout the province. Dr A. I). Hopkins states
that many trees in and about Morgantown were in 1891 nearly killed or
dead as a result of this insect's work. The bettles were brought to Prof.
M. I-". Webster in 1888 by a florist who stated that they were in a green-
house eating rose leaves and that in no case were they observed to molest
other plants. This observation has been questioned by Messrs Riley and
Howard.

Mr Phili|j Laurent has recorded injurious work by this borer in and
about Fhiladeljihia in 1893. He states that in a grove of young trees
varying from 1 to 6 inches in diameter, there was not one of them tliat did

IXSECTS AFFECTIXG PARK AXD WOODLAND TREES 95

not show the destructive work of this insect. Many of the trees were
comph'tcly honeycombed by the larvae.

Description. Tlie adult insect is cylindric and ram^r^s in len<j;-th from a
trifle over y, to about 3/j^ inch. It is a dull black color, brii^htly marked
with golden yellow, as shown in plate 5, figure 3. The antennae and legs
are a dull yellowish.

The pupa is nearly -v:^ inch long, stout, flattened, yellowish and with
the dorsum of the head and anterior six abdominal segments dotted with
irregularly arranged chitinous points. There are two clusters, one on each
side of the median line, of three to six small hooks on the dorsum of the
seventh abdominal segment. A slightly larger hook occurs behind each of
these clusters and on the posterior half there is a transverse row of about
10 hooks. The eighth segment bears a smaller transverse row of about 5
hooks. The antennae extend to the second abdominal segment and the
wings and legs are appressed to the breast.

The larva is six or seven tenths of an inch long, somew^hat flattened,
club-shaped, the thoracic segments being considerably broader than the
abdominal ones, but at the same time distinctly flattened above and below.
The head when extracted from the thorax appears almost circular and nar-
rower than the prothorax. The latter is twice broader than long, rounded
anteriorly, flattened above and below, brownish yellow, covered, especially on
the sides and below, with a short golden pubescence. A deep, longitudinal
sinuated furrow is visible on each side, a short transverse furrow crosses its
posterior end. The upper disk is inclosed between two furrows beginning
at the posterior margin, and not reaching the anterior one ; a transverse
furrow parallel to the posterior margin, separates a narrow fleshy fold. The
anterior portion of this upper disk is irregularly punctured and wrinkled,
although shining ; In some specimens it has an Indistinct,elongated, somewhat
oblique brownish spot on each side, about the middle ; the posterior portion
of the disk Is opaque, covered with dense longitudinal wrinkles, among
which a straight impressed line is apparent in the middle. The ventral side
Is Irregularly punctured on the sides, and has a depression In the middle
which is less apparent in some specimens.

The other two thoracic as well as the two first abdominal .segments
have, above and below, a transverse flattened opaque disk, limited on each
side by a furrow, and showing some Indistinct furrows on Its surface ; the
other abdominal segments have the usual protuberances, on the dorsal as
well as the ventral side, marked with wrinkles. The last segment is short

g6 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

ami divided in two halves l)y a transverse fold ; the latter half has the anal
o|)eninjx at tlie tip. All these segments are beset with short golden hairs on
the sides. There are no feet, as in the Lamii. Ostcn Sacken

The borings of this pest are very characteristic and are usually indi-
cated externally by irregular areas of exposed dead wood, more or less
riddled by galleries about '4 inch in tliameler. The inner portion of the
trunk of an infested tree is frecjuently nearly honeycombed by the larvae.
The galleries for the most part run longitudinally in the heartwood. The
galleries are terminated in some cases by a very characteristic upward
broad curve which extcntls liown to the exit hole [pi. 5].

Life history and habits. The life history and habits of this insect
have been very wc:ll descriln^d by I)r Harris as follows:

In the month of September these beetles gather on the locust trees,
where they may be seen glittering in the sunbeams with their gorgeous
livery of black velvet and gold, coursing up and down the trunks in pursuit
of their mates, or to drive away their rivals, and stopping every now and
then to salute those they meet with a rapid bowing of the shoulders, acom-
panied by a creaking sound, indicative of recognition or defiance. Having
paired, the female, attended by her partner creeps over the bark, searching
the crevices with her antennae, and dropping therein her snow white eggs,
in clusters of seven or eight together, and at intervals of five or six minutes,
till her whole stock is safely stored. The eggs are soon hatched, and the
grubs immediately burrow into the bark, devouring the soft inner substance
that suffices for their nourishment till the approach of winter, during which
they remain at rest in a torpitl state. In the spring they bore through the
sapwood, more or less deeply into the trunk, the general course of their
winding and irregular passages being in an upward direction from the place
of their entrance. For a time they cast their chips out of their holes as fast
as they are made, but after a while the passage becomes clogged and the
burrow more or less filled with the coarse and fibrous fragments of wood, to
get rid of which the grubs are often obliged to open new holes through the
bark. The seat of their operations is known by the oozing of the sap and
the drojjrjjmg of the sawdust from the holes. The bark around the part
attacked begins to swell, and in a few years the trunks and limbs will become
disfigured and weakened by large porous tumors, caused by the efforts of the
trees to repair the injuries they have suffered. According to the observa-
tions of Gen. H. A. .S. I])earborn, who has given an excellent account of
this insect, the grubs attain their full size by the 20th of July, soon become
pupae, and are changed to beetles and all leave the tree early in .September.
Thus the existence of this species is limited to one year.

INSECTS AFFECTIXG PARK AXD WOODLAXD TREES 97

This insect resembles the painted hickory borer very closely indeed,
and the two can be distinguished more easily b)' their food plants, and by
the locust borer occurring in the fall, and the species affecting hickory in
the spring, than by any structural characteristics or details in coloration.
The male of the hickory insect may also be recognized by its antennae being
longer than the body and quite stout, and by the wing covers being indented
at the base and tapering toward their tip, so that the two together equal the
basal width of one of them, as stated by Dr Walsh.

Destructiveness in New York State. Dr J. B. Smith includes this
insect in his list of species found in Xew Jersey and states that its presence
renders it impossible to raise decent trees in most localities. This seems to
be exactly the condition which prevails in many sections of New York
State. The locust tree is a rapid, vigorous grower and therefore does not
show the operations of a borer so quickly as do some others. It is a rare
thing to meet with uninjured trees and not infrequently many rows of locust
trees are from one quarter to two thirds dead as the result of this insect's
work. Mr M. F. Adams in a recent communication, attributes the destruc-
tion of nearly all the locust trees in the city of Buffalo to the work of this
species and the carpenter worm, P r i o n o x y s t u s r o b i n i a e Peck, and
in 1899, the writer received from Poughkeepsie the trunk of a young locust
which had been literally riddled by this borer.

Remedial measures. Ordinarily it is impossible to do much to control

this species as the tree is hardly worth the attendant expense. Writers,

however, suggest applying to the trunks a repellant wash in the early fall to

prevent deposition of eggs, and this would probably help considerably in

avoiding infestation. It is also advisable to cut and burn badly infested

trees which may be done at any time during the winter. This species is a

sun-loving beetle and it appears to have a preference for trees with trunks

and branches exposed to the sun. Thick groves would therefore be more

likely to escape injury.

Bibliography

1859 Fitch, Asa. Ins. NT. Y. 51)1 Rep't, p. 50-52

1890 Packard, A. S. U. S. Ent. Com. 5th Rep't, p. 355-58

g8 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

Poplar borer
Sapcrda laharata Say

Large, blackened, swollen scars on the surface of the trunk and limbs are verv likely
the work of this insect.

This, the largest native species belonging to this genus, is of con-
siderable economic importance on account of the serious injuries inflicted
on the trunks and larger limbs of poplars. These trees rarely attain any
size in New York State before showing the operations of this insect, and in
not a few instances very great damage is inflicted. This applies not only
to neglected trees along roadsides and in forests but also to magnificent
specimens grown for ornamental purposes. The poplars in Washington
Park, Albany, have been recently damaged to a considerable extent by
large numbers of these borers. .Similar injury has also been observed in
New York city and Brooklyn.

The lombardy poplars in the vicinity of Cambridge Mass., were nearly
destroyed by this insect in the early 40's, according to Dr Harris' classic
report on insects injurious to vegetation. It was recorded as very injurious
to poplars along the shores of Casco bay, Maine, in 1884, by I)r Packard,
and it had inflicted great damage on the silver poplars of Cincinnati O.,
in 1892, according to Charles Dury. Professor Riley, in his early writings,
states that this insect has been universally destructive to cottonwoods and
poplars in the Western States and Professor Bruner considers it as by far
the most destructive enemy of poplars and cottonwoods in the West, and
adds that it is almost impossible to obtain trees of any size in cities and
towns of Neliraska, away from the friendly care of birds and parasitic
enemies.

Description. The parent insect is a magnificent beetle about i]^ inches
long, grayish, diversified with patches of yellow [pi. 6, fig. 2]. There is
an entirely brown variety of this species. The general characters of the
pupa and larva, together with the latter's method of work, are so well
depicted on plate 6, figures 1-6, 26 that lengthy descriptions are
unnecessary.

INSECTS AFFECTIXG PARK AND WOODLAXD TREES 99

Life history. Comparatively little has been published regarding the
life history of this insect. The beetles occur on the trunks and branches
of various poplars in August and September. The most obvious signs of
infestation are the numerous blackened, swollen scars on the trunk and
limbs. These are sometimes open and in early summer large quantities of
borings are expelled from the galleries and frequently occur in considerable
amounts about the base of the tree. This is very evident during the latter
part of May and in early June. Pupae were found in large numbers about
Albany in earl)- June, and adults appeared early the following month and
continued to emerge throughout July and were probably abroad during
August and into September. Full grown larvae were also met with in
early June, indicating that there was not much uniformity in the time of
pupation. The pupal stage probably lasts three or four weeks, and the
chamber where the final transformations take place, is invariably located
near the center of the smaller limbs and at some distance from the surface
in trunks. The top is smoothly excavated, the other end is closely packed
with coarse fibers which are attached at one end to the side of the galleries
and the portion next to the pupa is packed with much finer borings and
then coated with very fine sawdust. This pupal chamber is probably made
the previous season, but final transformations do not occur till spring.
The young larva works in the inner bark and outer sapwood for a short
time and before the approach of cold w-eather sinks its burrow to a greater
depth. The galleries of the second year are very largely in the interior
of the wood, and during this stage the limb or trunk may be honej'combed
with very large, somewhat irregular galleries. The nearly full grown
larvae not infrequently excavate large, shallow galleries in the sapwood and
inner bark, and appear to subsist to a considerable extent on the sap
collected in such cavities. Three years are probably required to complete
the life cycle.

Food plants. This species appears to infest practically all poplars, and
it has been recorded from the lombardy poplar, the cottonwood and the
common aspen besides other species or varieties.

lOO NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

Distribution. This Ikm-ct raiiLj^cs from Canada south to Texas and
entirely across the United States. It ajjpears to be somewhat common in
most h)calities.

Remedies. It is manifestU' impossible to control this insect on other
than valuable trees, and in such situations di<,^L,dni^'' out the borers in early
fall, with possibly recourse to the use of repellant washes is about all that
can be done, and in the majority of instances should afford considerable
protection.

Bibliography
1904 Felt, E. P. & Joutel, L. H. \. \'. Stat.- .\[us. liul. 7.), ]<. 39-44

Mottled willow borer

Crypt or h vm/i its la path I Linn.

Willows and poplars are frequently severely injured by a footless, fleshy, white grub
which transforms in midsummer to a dark colored snout beetle, about % inch long, with
liie posterior third of tlie wing covers a pinkish white.

The presence of this imported insect was first brought to public notice
by Mr Juelich," who records finding the beetle near West Bergen N. J., and
states that five years before he took a specimen of this insect on willows
near Williams bridge, at least 12 miles from the first named locality.
Mr Juelich expressed the opinion in the above notice that the species might
become a great scourge to thi- willow, and a]jparently his prediction is
being fulfilled.

History and distribution in New York State. Mr Ottomar Diet/, foimd
this species on Staten Island in 1 S86 and it was next taken in New York
State by Mr Ottomar Reinecke in the vicinity of Buffalo in 1896. It was
brought to the writer's attention in i8y8, by Mr M. F. Adams of Buffalo,
who reported it as seriously injiuMng willows and poplars in that city. It
occurs about New York city and Albany in willow, and the writer has taken
it at Westfield N. Y., and received specimens from Newark and Rochester ;
in the two latter places it has caused consideralile damage to nursery stock.

Juelich, William. Entomologica Americana. 3:, 123.

INSECTS AFFF.CTIXC. PARK AXD WOODLAND TREES lOl

Its reception the same yc-ar from Pike N. Y. indicates a general distri-
bution in New York State, at least.

Work in Massachusetts. This species was studied by Mr J. G. Jack,
who stated in 1897, that it had been known to occur in Cambridge, Boston,
and vicinity for many )ears, antl that for several it had proved destructive
to almost all species of willows growing in the Arnold arboretum. Mr
A. H. Kirkland, writing of this insect in 1899, states that in Massachusetts it
appears to lie most injurious to the balm of Gileatl. It had become so
abundant in Winthrop and Revere that there was hardly a sound balm of
Gilead at the time of his writing. He also found that the insect bred in
nearly all species of poplars and willows and had oljserved serious injuries
in many of the larger nurseries in eastern Massachusetts.

Distribution. This species, as stated by Professor Webster, is common
in Plurope, ranging over Siberia and Japan, but whether it extends farther
south into Central Asia is not known. It occurs in the United .States from
New Jersey, where it already had obtained a considerable distribution, to
Massachusetts and westward, tlirough New York into Ohio, it doubtless
havino- made its way along the southern shore of Lake Erie. Later it was
found in Minnesota whither it had been shipped in nursery stock.

Description. The adult beetle or curculio is about I3 to 3/^ inch in
length. Its liody is a dull black, with little spots or tufts of jet-black
scales or hairs on the thorax and wing covers. The posterior third of the
wing covers, the sides of the thorax, the base of the anterior femora and
portions of the middle and posterior femora are a pinkish white. The
beetle is represented on plate 16, figure 8. The delicate pupa is white,
about i's inch in length, with a long snout, and when nearly mature begins
to show the coloration of the beetle. The full grown larva is about y. inch
in length, fleshy, white and footless. The egg has been described l)y i'ro-
fessor Webster as oval, pale yellowish white and from 15 to .8 mm wide.

Life history. The adult beetles appear in midsummer. Tliey ha\e
been observed by Mr M. F. Adams at Buffalo N. ^■.. July 5, 1900. Mr
A. H. Kirkland records their occurrence in infested sticks July 28, 1897, and

I02 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

States that they were emerging freely on the 31st. July 30, 1898, he found
them abundant at Springfield Mass., feeding on cottonwood along the
Connecticut river. Adults were numerous at Winthrop as late as Sep-
tember 21. Professor Webster states that one adult was found by Pro-
fessor Burgess at Ashtabula O. ovipositing Oct. 5, 1901, which is in all
probability exceptionally late. The beetles may be said to occur from
early in July through .August and into .September to some extent. Ovi-
position presumably extends over a considerable period, and in most
instances, the eggs are probably laid at the base of the buds, or small
branches.

Mr Burgess has observed this process and states that the female exca-
vates quite a cavity in the corky bark, the process occupying about 40
minutes, and then de|)osits the egg, which appears to be protected by a
mucilaginous secretion. The burrows of the young grubs occur around
buds and at the base of small limbs, and frequently partly girdle the stem.
The nearly full grown grubs or borers make galleries about yg inch in
diameter, antl in the case of small trees it ma\- frequently be carrietl nearl\-
half way around. The injur\- is indicated externally on willows by a purplish
discoloration of the bark on either side of the burrows, and by the drying
and shrinking of the thin bark directly over the gallery. The full grown
larva bores into the center of small stems, frf-cpienth- for a distance of 3 or
4 inch('s. The pupal cell is found near the extremity of this burrow, the
pupa always being headed toward the exit. An examination of infested
nursery trees in Ajjril, 1900, showed that most of the grubs were in the
central part of the Inirrow, and ajjjjarently were full grown. There were
other small grubs working around the base of the buds ami these probably
produce the late appearing beetles. The work of this species is repre-
sented on plate 16, fig. 8, 9 and on plate 32. Mr M. F. Adams observed
nearly the same thing May 23-25, 1900, taking many larvae ; the smallest
being less than '05 inch long, and the largest 5 times that size. The
burrows of these smaller grubs, as observed by us frecjuently nearly
encircle the bud, and produce a brownish discoloration, different from the

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES IO3

purple color seen near the larger galleries. Infested twigs collected at this
time and placed in breeding cages were bored to a considerable extent by
the grubs, most of the galleries being in the central portion of the twigs.
No adults were obtained from this material, but a later sending received
July 18, contained a number of beetles within their burrows, and subse-
quently many emerged. The duration of the pupal stage has been deter-
mined by INIr Kirkland as about i8 days.

Food plants. This species has been recorded by various European
authors as. attacking willows, alders, and birches. It has proved specially
injurious to willows and poplars in this country. Mr M. F". Adams of
Buffalo, states that he has taken this species from balsam poplar, balm of
Gilead, Carolina poplar, Lombardy poplar, Babylonian willow, heart-leaved
wmIIow, Kilmarnock willow, and from the trunk of the new American weep-
ing willow. He states further that he has never taken it from the golden
barked willow, laurel-leaved willow, silver poplar, or bollean poplar,
though a great many of these varieties were growing in the vicinity of
infested trees. Mr Kirkland has recorded it as occurring in the cotton-
wood (Populus) and in the silver or bollean poplar.

Remedial measures. This insect, like many borers, is comparatively
inaccessible, and the most practical method of checking its ravages appears
to be cutting and burning all seriously infested wood in early spring. The
burrows of the larger grubs, at least, can easily be distinguished at this time
and probably the preceding fall. The w-ork of the young grubs is very
difficult to detect, but with careful examination it should be possible to
recognize most of the infested wood.

Bibliography
1897 Jack, J. G. Garden and Forest. 10; 394
1899 Kirkland, A. H. Pysche. 8:371-72
1902 Webster, F. M. Ent. Soc. Ont. 33d Rep't 1901. p. 67-73

I04 ^'EW YORK STATE MUSEUM

Lilac borer
Podoscsia syriiio^ae Harris
Boring lilac stems and ash trunks. A white, sparsely haired caterpillar

This species is one of the more common pests of the lilac and its work
may frequently be seen in stems of this shrub a sijj^n of its presence in
midsummer beinijf the sudden wihin^- of a shoot. It has been found at
work in ashtrees in Brookl\n 1)\- the late Rev. G. H. Hulst and Prof.
Herbert Osborn observed it working in the young shoots of species of ash
at Ames la. The late Dr Kellicott of Buffalo states that it lives under the
bark of old trees, he having watched 20 or more issue from a single tree in
one day and found that often there were more than one hundred in one
tree.

Professor Thomas, in writing of its work in Illinois, states that it may
be found during the latter pa-t of the summer making its galleries through
both sap and heart wood of limljs even an inch in diameter. Moths were
bred at Carbondale Aug. 10 and cocoons were spun the following season
about the middle of May. The late l)r Kellicott found this species also
boring in mountain ash. Its recorded distribution has been given as New
Flngland, Middle States westward to California and southward to Texas.

Description. Male. Head black, palpi chestnut red, black beneath.
Collar edged with chestnut in front. Antennae rufous, black above. Tho-
rax deep brown more or less marked with bright chestnut red. Abdomen
black, or marked with chestnut brown, sometimes with a small yellow spot
on each side of the fourth segment, or with the seginents banded with
yellow. Femora black, anterior pair of tibiae orange, tarsi yellow ; middle
and hind tibiae black with an orange band. Tarsi yellow, hind pair with a
black band above. Pore wings opaque, deep brown, with a violaceous
luster, usually with a rusty red dash at the outer part of the wing below the
costa. At the base is a short transparent streak, and marked with red on
the costa and inner margin. Underside washed with orange and yellow.
Hind wings transparent, yellowish, with an opalescent luster, veins, di.scal
inark, and margin deep brown, soinetimes tinged with red ; underside
marked with red.

Female. Similar to the male, but more robust and larger. Expanse:
male 25-30 mm ; female 30-36 mm. /uiifeiinniller

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES IO5

DESTKi:CTIVK I.KAF IKKDKIIS

Certain species of leaf feeders have been exceedingly destructive to
shade trees in New York Slate in recent years, and in making selections for
this (i-roup it is probable that some will be omitlt^d, which, in the course of
a few years will attract notice on account of their depredations.

Key to destructive leaf feeders

Blue-headed caterpillars with a line of silvery diamond-shaped spots down the middle of

the back, rest in masses on the sides of branches and trunks and defoliate mai)le.and

other trees in midsummer. . Forest tent caterpillar, Malacosoma d i s s t r i a, [>. 106

Brownish caterpillars with blue and reddish warts, occur in masses on the sides of

branches and trunks of many trees in early summer

Gipsy moth, P o r t h e t r i a d i s p a r, p. 116
Curious baglike shelters containing caterpillars, occur in early summer on various trees
and shrubs in the vicinity of New York city

Bag worm, T h y r i d o p t e r y \ e p h e m e r a e f o r m is, p. i 23
Light green, white marked caterpillars about 2 inches long sometimes occur in immense

numters on soft maples in early summer X y 1 i n a a n t e n n a t a, p. 129

Red-headed, yellow and black tufted caterpillars defoliate in early summer horse-chestnut,
linden, maple and other trees

White marked tussock moth, H e m e r o c a m pa 1 e u c o s t i g m a, p. 132
Conspicuous web tents in July and .\ugust. inclosing foliage at the tips of branches, which
is soon skeletonized and turns brown

Fall web worm, H y p h a n t r i a t e x t o r, p. 142
Irregular, circular holes in elm leaves, particularly of European species, followed by
skeletonizing of the under surface of the foliage by grubs

Elm leaf beetle, G a 1 e r u c e 1 1 a 1 u t e o 1 a, p. 146
Cylindric, coiled, yellowish white' worms with a black line down the middle of the back,
occur in midsummer on willow, elm, poplars and other trees

Elm sawfly, C i m b e .\ a m e r i c a n a, p. 155
Large, black, red-marked, spiny caterpillars 2 inches long, occur in June and August in
clusters and defoliate terminal branches of elm, willow, poplar and other trees

Spiny elm cater])illar, E u v a n e s s a a n t i o ]) a, p. 158
Circular, somewhat irregular mines occ ur in considerable numbers in the leaves of

European and .American elms Elm leaf miner, K a 1 i o s y p h i n g a u 1 m i, p. 162

Small web tents on tips of trees in midwinter

Brown tail moth, E u p r o c t i s c h r y s o r r h o e a. p. 163

I06 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

Curious brown, somewhat flattened cases on mined leaves of English and Scotch elm

Elm case bearer, Coleophora limosipennella. p. 167
Red maple leaves folded in August or September,, containing a long, tapering, blackish
tube, with the adjacent tissues on the underside skeletonized

Maple trumpet skeletonizer, T h i o d i a s i g n a t a n a, p. 168
Yellowish or brown larcii needles with hollow apex and small circular hole on one side

I, arch case hearer, Coleophora 1 a r i c e 1 1 a, p. 170

Forest tent caterpillar : maple worm
Malacoso»!a (//ss/r/a Iliibn.

Blue-headed caterpillars witli a line of silvery diamond-shaped spots down the middle
of the back, frequently defoliate maple and other trees in early summer, and when not
feeding assemble in clusters on the sides of the larger limbs and trunks.

Strippiriir a larq-e proportion of the foliat^e from maples has been a
marked characteristic of this species for tiie hist four or five years in manv
sections of New York, the climax being reached in i8g8 and 1899. The
sugar maples of Delaware, Greene and Otsego counties suffered most
severely from tin; attacks of this pest in 1897 and 1898, large areas being
left with hardly a green leaf. The destructive work of this caterpillar in
1899 was more general than in the preceding two years, there having been
comj^laints received from al)out half the counties in the State, and in some
sections the depredations were worse than ever. This species appeared in
force in inany cities and villages, threatening thousands of handsome shade
trees with defoliation, and had it not been for most energetic efforts on the
part of local authorities and private individuals, many maples along streets
and in parks would have been stripped of leaves. This native species is
generally distributed and its comijarative abundance in a localit\" is there-
fore due to natural causes, favorable or otherwise, and \cr\- rarely can it be
said that the insect has migrated to any extent, except in a very local and
restricted sense.

Early history in New York State. The earliest record of injury in this
State appears to be that of I )r Rile)-, who reported the species as being
(|uite destructive in cc-rtain ])arts of western New \'ork in 1857. Peter
l^erris 10 years later, states that this insect had been troublesome in western

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES lO/

New York for 12 or more years. A serious outbreak at Kintjsbury, Wasli-
ington CO., was brought to the attention of l)r Lintner in 1889. About 10
acres were defoliated at that time. These depredations, however, are insig-
nificant compared with those occurring in iSg" and following years. Prof.
John Mickleborough states that this species was very destructive to maple
and other forest trees at Jewett, Greene co. in 1897. The depredations of
this species at Andes, Delaware co., were complained of, but the most
serious damage occurred in the vicinity of Margaretville in the same county
where the pest was abundant enough to defoliate large areas. It not only
attacked the hard maple, but turned its attention to apple, pear, plum, beech,
birch, poplar and other trees. The ravages of 1897 were continued in 1898,
and considerable areas in St Lawrence, Oneida, Otsego, Greene and Warren
counties were seriously injured. In not a few instances, hundreds of
acres were stripped of their leaves, and this outbreak was followed in
1899 by some very serious injuries. This was specially true in certain
cities and villages, and the local authorities of the infested places adopted
vigorous measures in many cases and offered rewards for the collection of
caterpillars and cocoons. The pest was so abundant in portions of Otsego
county as to interfere with the operation of railroad trains. One corre-
spondent reports that a train was stopped three times in passing between
two stations 8 miles apart. This pest caused less injury in 1900, though it
was very abundant in som ; orchards in Greene and Columljia counties, and
in igoi, the injury was still less, though far from liring inconspicuous.

Extensive depredations in other localities. This insect has been
extremely injurious in a number of other states, in some instances defo-
liating hundreds of square miles. One of the earliest accounts is the
record of Abbot, whom Dr Riley quotes, stating that it " is sometimes so
plentiful in \'irginia as to strip the oak-trees bare." In his 3d report {sec
citation], Dr Riley credits this species with completely stripi)ing the
"over-cup timber" on the overflow bottoms near Des .Arc Ark., and
records extensive injuries by it in many ])arts of Missouri. In the 8th
Report oil the Insects of Missouri, it is stateil that this species strippetl oak

108 >"E\V YORK STATE MUSEUM

forests over hundreds of square miles in the Southern States, and tlial in the
vicinity of Memphis, in 1862, the larvae were so abundant as to fre(]uently
stop trains gointj in and out of the city. In 1889 another instance of trains
heiny stopped was broujj^ht to tlu; notice of the division of entomoloi^y,
L'nited States Department of Agriculture {^Iiisccl Life. 1889. 2:58].
This time the trouble was in Maine and was accompanied by serious injury
to forests and orchards. Two years later trains were stopped on the
Carolina Central Railroad near Lumberton \Inscct Life. 1891. 3:477],
and hindrance to travel was accompanied by the defoliation of many trees
over large areas. This species was e.xcessively injurious in the vicinity of
London Ont. in 1877, as recorded by William Saunders in the following
words: "There were millions upon millions of them, and so enormous were
their numbers and so persistent their attacks, that after fighting them
bravely for a week or two, many gave up the contest in despair, weary of
the slaughter. Many an orchard was rendered bare and leafless and in
some instances the wootls were so \()id of foliage as to remind one of
winter." In southern Illinois this insect "made a frightful inroad upon the
apple orchard, absolutely defoliating every tree in large districts in 1883."
The damage of the last few )ears in New ^'o^k State has been duplicatetl
to a great extent in Vermont and New Hampshire.

The caterpillars committed very extensive ravages in 1897 along the
Ottawa river, stri|)])ing the aspen groves of every leaf and seriously injuring
other trees \Ottinva Naturalist. 1898. 12: 13].

Distribution. The numerous records of serious injury by this insect
in the eastern United States and Canada indicate that it is widely and
generally distributed. It has been reported from Mississippi north into
Canada and from Maine westward to California. Dr Dyar states that M.
disstria extends throughout the range of M. americana and M.
p 1 u v i a 1 i s and also into California.

Description. This insect can be distinguished at once from the com-
monly injurious tent caterpillar, Malacosoma americana Fal)r., by the
fact that no conspicuous web tent is spun. This caterpillar | pi. 7, hg. 13]

IXSFXTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES lOQ

has a row of somewhat diamond-shaped whitish spots down the middh- of
the back, while its close relative possesses a narrow whitish stripe in place
of the dots. The egg belts [pi. 7, fig. 12] encircling the more slender twigs,
are smaller, usually with one or two wrinkles or depressions in the brownish,
protective covering, and the ends of the belts are more abrupt than are
those of the species usually found on appletrees. An average sized egg
belt, collected in Albany, of the forest tent caterpillar contained about 150
eggs. If an egg is opened in September or later, a well developed, nearly
black caterpillar with a few whitish hairs may be seen. The recently
hatched caterpillars are nearly black with whitish hairs and are found clus-
tered together or traveling along certain silk-lined paths. After the second
molt, the characteristic row of whitish spots along the back appears and
as the caterpillars increase in size, the colors become brighter and more
distinct. The white or yellowish white cocoons | pi. 7, fig. 14] are s])un in
leaves on the tree or lying on the ground, in crevices of the bark, under
stones, in fence corners and under almost any convenient shelter. Within
the cocoon is found the dark brown pupa | pi. 7, fig. 1 5 |. The moths are
light, buff colored, active creatures | pi. 7, fig. 10, .ii|. The male may be
recognized by his richer coloring, smaller size, and feathery antennae
[pi. 7, fig. II].

Life history and habits. The winter is passed by the well developed
larvae within the eggshell. (Jn the appearance of warm weather, the young
caterpillars begin to emerge and if no food is at hand, await the unfolding
of the leaves. From eggs received in early spring, young caterpillars
emerged Ap. 17. There is considerable latitude in the time of hatching,
even in one locality, about a month as reported by the late Prof. \'. H.
Lowe, and there is a corresponding variation in the time the caterpillars
attain maturity. As the young increase in size, they molt from time to
time, leaving their cast skins in small clusters on the bark |])1. 7, hg. 16].
When not feeding, the larvae may be found in clusters on the limbs. They
also resort to such places w'hen about to molt, an operation requiring at
least a day or two. A wind or jarring causes these creatures when small to

NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

drop and suspend themselves with a silkin fhixad, a position very annoying
to persons obHged to pass under an infested tree, and as many shade
trees were attacked recently, this feature was painfully apparent. If the
shock is sudden, the caterpillars drop without spinning a web. As they
become about half grown, they frecjuently form good sized clusters on the
larger limbs and trunk of an infested trt>e. If the creatures are very
abundant, they may strip the tree before full growth is attained and then
be forced by hunger to invade neighboring orchards. The maple trees
represented on plate 32 show well the work of this insect. (Jrdinarily, as
the caterpillars ajiproach maturity, many of them forsake the tree and crawl
in all directions. Thus in ol)edience to a natural impulse, they may crawl in
numbers over walks, piazzas and swarm on sides of houses. This wan-
dering, prior to pupation, occurs about June 1, the transformation to the
pupa taking place from about the middle to the last of June. The insect
remains in the pupa state about two weeks, tlu- moths ap])earing the latter
part of June and during July, mostl\- in the latter month. The eggs are
deposited during July, a large proportion of them being laid on the lower
twigs, but many are found over 20 feet from th(? ground ami numbers even
in the tops of tall trees.

Food plants. Like the common tent caterpillar, this insect can sub-
sist on a large variety of plants. Its favorite species of oak in the .Southern
States, as given by the late Ur Riley, are those belonging to the same
group as the black oak. In New York and adjoining states this insect is
reported more fretjuently as defoliating the sugar maple than any other
tree. This may be owing to the fact that large sugar orchards affortl the
most favorable comlilions for the caterpillars in the north, and as the
maples are of greater value than forest trees, complaints of attack are more
frequent. The caterpillars have been reported by various writers as feed-
ing on the following trees and shrubs : linden, maples, locust, peach, plum,
cherry, rose, strawberry, apple, sweet gum ( 1, i (] u i d a m b a r s t \- r a -
c i f 1 u a), dogwood, " black gum," sour gum ( X y s s a s y 1 v a t i c a ), ash,
elm, black walnut, hickory, walnut, oak, i)lack oak, post oak, wliile birch,
gra\' birch, willow and pojjlar.

INSECTS AFFFXTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES III

Natural enemies. Like its associates, this species has a number of
important natural enemies. A fungous disease is known to attack this
caterpillar, but at present little has been done in attempting to disseminate
it. One of the most fruitful methods of keeping the pest in check through
the aid of its natural enemies, will probably l)e found in encouraging and
protecting the native birds known to feed on it. Robins, orioles, chipping
sparrows, catbirds, cuckoos, the red-eyed, white-eyed, and warbling vireos,
cedar birds and nuthatches have been observed feeding on forest tent cater-
pillars by Miss Caroline G. Soule who writes: "The nuthatches would
stand by a patch of larvae lying close together below a tar band on a tree
and eat so voraciously and with such an entire abandonment of self-con-
sciousness that I could go close and put my hand on them before they
would tly. This experience was repeated several times." Mr William
Saunders gives an instance in which a black-billed cuckoo was brought to
him with its crop filled with caterpillars. Mr E. H. Forbush, ornithologist
to the Massachusetts State Board of Agriculture, has kindly supplied me
with the following list of native birds observed by him feeding on forest
tent caterpillars : Baltimore oriole, black-billed cuckoo, yellow-billed cuckoo,
crow, blue jay, American redstart, white-breasted nuthatch, wood thrush,
chewink, black and white creeper, red-eyed vireo, flicker and scarlet tanager.
He has since published a list including the following additional species:
yellow-bellied sapsucker, bronzed grackle or crow blackbird, chipping
sparrow, towhee, English sparrow, warbling vireo, white-eyed vireo, black
and white warbler, yellow warbler, catbird, chickadee, American robin and
cedar waxwing. Prof. V. H. Lowe has observed the black-capped chickadee
feeding on the eggs besides others mentioned above. Prof. C. M. Weed
states that the robin, chipping sparrow, yellow bird and English sparrow
feed on the moths.

The value of birds in keeping other pests under control is also strik-
ingly shown in the experiment conducted by Mr Forbush. In a typical
orchard at Medford Mass., a little trouble was taken to attract the native
birds, the nests of the English or house sparrow being destroyed. The

NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

results were ^^rcatly in favor of protecting our indigenous forms. In the
neighboring orchards it was evident that cankerworms and tent caterpillars
were very numerous, but in the orchard in question, the trees were seriously
injured in onl)- one or two instances, though no attempt was made to con-
trol the insects by spraying or other artificial means. The common toad
has been recorded by Mr Kirkland as feeding on this species, though from
this batrachian being confined to the ground and presumably occurring
more abundantly in cultivated fields, it is hardly probable that as a rule it
devours many caterpillars.

Parasites. Relatively few true parasites have been bred from this
insect. Dr Riley records the rearing of L i m n e r i a f u g i t i v a Say, and

Fig. «5 Pimplaconquisiiur: « — larva ; (5 — head of same; c =■ pupa;
(y — adult female — all enlarged. Lines beside figures represent natural
size. (After Howard, U. S. Dcp't Asric. Uiv. Ent. Tech. Ser. 5. 1897)

Mr -Saunders states that Pi m pi a p e tl a 1 i s Cress preys on this species.
P i m p 1 a c o n ([ u i s i t o r Say was reari-d from se\eral i)upae collected in
Delaware county in 1897, the large i^roportion of the cocoons parasitized
indicated that it was very valuable in controlling this caterpillar. This
species was extensively parasitized about Albany in 1900, Pimpla
inquisitor Say, being the most efficient in many localities. T h e r o n i a

IXSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAXD TREES

113

fulvescens Brulle, recorded as a secondary parasite of Pimplas, was
common at Slingerlands, and a considerable number were reared from
cocoons. Anomalon e x i 1 e ~Prov. was reared in small numbers from
cocoons received from Lyons Falls and Glens Falls. Ptero mains
vanessae How. was also obtained from the latter place. The following
dipterous parasites have been recorded by Mr Coquillett : E u p h o r o c e r a
claripennis Macq., Frontina frenchii Will., Tachina me! la
Walk. This latter species was reared by us in sufficient numbers in 1900
to show that it was of considerable importance in a number of localities.
Several predaceous insects prey on the caterpillars. One of great value
is C al o so m a scrutator P'abr., a species which Dr Riley characterized
as most efficient. The beautiful and equally ferocious Calosoma cali-
dum Fabr., is another valuable enemy, as stated
by William Saunders. Mr Burgess records that
Calosoma wilcoxi LeC. fed readily in con-
finement on the larvae of this insect. Two pre-
daceous hemiptera, P o d i s u s p 1 a c i d u s Uhler
and P. s e r i e V e n t r i s Uhler, as stated by Kirk-
land, feed on the caterpillars. A mite, ? T r o m-
bidium sp., was discovered by William Saunders
destroying many clusters of eggs.

Whenever cocoons of the forest tent caterpiller are collected, they
should be placed in a box and covered with a rather coarse wire netting,
about 2/ib inch mesh, so as to confine the moths but allow the beneficial para-
sites to escape.

Remedies. As a large proportion of the eggs of this species occur on
twigs within 20 or 30 feet of the ground, something can be accomplished in
winter by cutting off the infested twigs and burning the egg clusters,
specially if the trees are not very large. But in the case of good sized
maples, it is very doubtful if this could be done to advantage, and even
with moderate sized trees there would probably be enough inaccessible egg

114

NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

belts near the top to stock the trees with a liost of leaf consumers. At
best, the collection of eggs can hardly be regarded as more than one of
several repressive methods, no one of which can be depended on by itself
to prevent serious injury. The egg belts can be seen best on a bright day
and if there is snow on the ground, it will be easier to hnd all cut twigs
dropped to the ground. The collection and burning of the eggs is neces-
sary in order to insure thorough work. A long handled pruning hook is of
great service in cutting off the infested twigs.

As soon as the presence of the young caterpillars (indicated by the
thinness of the foliage on the upper branches) is detected, much ran be
accomplished by crushing them as they collect on the limbs or by dislodging
them with a brush or torch. If the latter is used, care must be exercised-
not to injure the tree. Many caterpillars can be jarred from trees by
using a padded mallet, or even violent shaking will cause some to drop.
Ridding the trees of caterpillars by jarring or otherwise, must be fol-
lowed up by some means of preventing their ascent. A band of cotton
batting 8 to lo inches wide tied tightly in the micUlU; around a tree and the
upper portion turned down over the string and allowed to hang loosely, is
a tlifticult obstacle for caterpillars to surmount, so long as it remains dry.
Wide bands of paper coated with tar or of sticky lly paper will also prevent
the pests from ascending for a time. A band composed of equal parts of
lard and sulfur is said to be an effective barrier. In one locality bands of
cottolene were usetl to jjrevent the caterpillars from climl)ing the trees.
' It is safer to put lard, cottolene and similar oily preparations on close fit-
ting paper bands rather than to apply them direct to the trunk. When
the pests are very aljumlanl it will not do to depend entirely on shak-
ing and bands, the dropping creatures must be collected on sheets spread
under the trees before they are jarred, and then killed, or crushed as they
collect under the liands. Nothing but the most vigorous measures will
protect a badly infested tree from severe injury. The masses of caterpillars
found on the larger limbs and trunk can be crushed in large numbers with
a stiff broom or thickly gloved hands. .\ more agreeable method is spray-

INSECTS AFFECTIXG PARK AND WOODLAXD TREES II5

ing these clusters with kerosene emulsion, whale oil soap solution (i pound
to 4 gallons) — a tobacco whale oil soap is better — or pouring boiling water
over them. For methods of preparing kerosene emulsion see page 36.

Thorough spraying with any one of the poisons described on a preced-
ing page and in the manner directed will kill these caterpillars very quickly.
If they are nearly full grown and many are crawling to the sprayed trees
from others, it is perfectly possible that all the foliage may be devoured
before the caterpillars have eaten enough poison to kill them, but under
most circumstances there need be little fear of the arsenical spray proving
ineffective. The cost attendant on this method will lead people to depend
largely on other means. Even a hand spraying outfit requires some outlay,
while if many trees are to be sprayed a power outfit, described on a preced-
ing page, is the most economical in the long run.

After the damage has been done, many of the insects are within man's
power and can be killed in their cocoons. From about the middle to the
last of June thousands of cocoons can be collected with little labor, and if
this is done, opportunity should be given the parasites to escape before the
cocoons are destroyed, as stated on a preceding page. Every healthy female
pupa killed means one less egg mass to produce its approximately 150
hungry caterpillars another spring. During the summer of 1899, many hun-
dreds of cocoons were collected and destroyed. Local authorities in Glens
Falls, Saratoga Springs and several other villages offered the school
children 10 cents a quart for these cocoons. Glens Falls paid for 1350
quarts, Saratoga Springs 744, Mohawk 450 and other communities took

similar action.

Bibliography

1898 Felt, E. P. State Ent. X4th Rep't X. V. State Mus. Bill. 23, p. 191-201
1898 Fish, (lame and For. Com. 4th Rep't, ]>. 374-So

1899 Lowe, V. H. N. Y. Agric. Exp. Sta. Bui. 15, p. 33-60

1899 Slingerland, M. V. Cornell Agric. E.xp. Sta. Bui. 170, p. 557-64

1899 Felt, E. P. N. \'. State Agric. Soc. Trans. 59 :275-76

1901 State Ent. 16th Rep't X. V. State Mus. Bui. 36, p. 994-98

Il6 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

Gipsy moth
Porlhctria dispar Linn.

Numerous brownish caterpillars with blue and reddish warts occur in large num-
bers on the sides of branches and trunks of many trees in the early summer. The egg
masses are conspicuous and covered with buff colored hairs. .\n introduced species
which works very locally.

This species has attracted more attention in America in all probability
than any other imported insect with the e.xception of the now notorious
San Jose scale and the cotton boll weevil. This is somewhat remarkable
considering its restricted range in this country, and yet it is not very sur-
prising when due credit is given to the scientists charged with safeguard-
ing the interests of the covuitry. The presence of this insect in enormous
numbers at Medford Mass., was brought to the attention of Prof. C. H.
Fernald in 1889, and a special bulletin calling attention to this dangerous
p(^st was issued by the agricultural e.xperiment station at Amherst Mass., in
November of that year. A study of the situation convinced Professor Fer-
nald that it was not only possible but practicable to e.xterminate this species.
The closing tlecade of the last ctmtury witnessed a wonderful struggle
between man and nature, and, had the work received the support it should,
there is no doubt as to what the outcome would have been.

Not in New York. There is no occasit)n for extreme alarm. Ihis
pest does not occur within the borders of New York State to our knowl-
edge ; but as the commonwealth of Massachusetts has not only declined to
do more toward exterminating the p(;st but puts no efficient checks on its
distribution, it is only a question of time when the insect will invade our
borders. It is impossible to say just when this insect will succeed in estab-
lishing itself in New York State. I'avoring circumstances may bring about
its introduction within a year or two or it may not occur for a number of
years. I-^orewarned is forearmed and while the extermination of the pest in
America ma\" now be ])laced among the impossibilities, it is of greatest
importance that it be kept under control, as it spreads over the country.

History in America. This species was introduced into Medford Mass.,

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES II7

in 1868 or 1869 by Leopold Trouvelot, who imported il in ihc course of some
experiments on silkworms. Justice to Mr Trouvelot compels the statement
that the insect escaped from him by accident, and that he did all in his
power to repair the mischief. Very little was seen of the pests for about
10 years, and then the caterpillars began to be abundant about the place
where they had become established, and from then on their numbers
increased till 1889, when Medford and vicinity were literally overrun with
hordes of voracious caterpillars. The infestation bordered closely on a
plague. An act was passed in the winter of 1890 providing for the appoint-
ment of a special commission and placing at its disposal $25,000, which sum
was subsequently increased by an equal amount. The work of that year
showed the insect to be present over a much larger territory than had been
supposed. A farther appropriation of $50,000 was made in 1891, and from
then till 1899 the appropriations ranged from $75,000 to $190,000 annually
for the purpose of exterminating this species, the total amount disbursed
by the commonwealth of Massachusetts for work against the gipsy moth
being $1,155,000. This is a large amount of money to be expended in
exterminating an insect, but it is very small compared to the loss we may
reasonably expect from the devastations of this pest. The work was hin-
dered from time to time by delayed appropriations, and yet, in spite of this
and other obstacles, good progress was being made in the work of extermi-
nation. Its abandonment in 1900 can hardly be regarded as other than a
grave misfortune. Personal examination of the infested territory in July
1904 showed that the insect had incn^ased so greatly in parts of Maiden,
Medford and Melrose as to completely defoliate the trees over considerable
areas. Previous to this the general results were most striking to a visitor.
Places, where in 1891 defoliated trees, crawling caterpillars and signs of
desolation had been prominent features, were in 1895 and 1898 seen to be
comparatively free from the pests, and the injuries to vegetation slight or
none. The checking of the insect over a large area was so thorough as to
lead many to forget its earlier destructiveness and to despise its powers.
At the close of 1899 the gipsy moth was known to be present in 34 cities

Il8 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

and towns in Massachusetts. Its presence in large numbers at Providence
R. I., was discovered in 1901 and other infested localities may be reported
from time to time.

Description. It is exceedingly important that residents of this State
should know something about the appearance of this insect and what to
e.xpect. Do not jump at conclusions and consider the specimen some form
of gipsy moth because it bears a general resemblance to the illustrations
given herewith. It is much better to send the specimen to an entomologist
and secure an authentic determination. Generally speaking, the statement
from a nonscicntific person that the object in hand is a gipsy moth is of
little or no value and is quite apt to be incorrect.

The eggs of this insect are deposited usually in round or oval patches
[pi. 9, tig. 15 1 on a piece of bark and then covered with the buff-colored
scales from the underside of the female's abdomen. A completed egg mass
looks very much like a small piece of sponge. The eggs may be found on
stones, in tin cans and in fact on almost any fi.xed object near at hand,
preferal)ly on the undersurface, particularly of limbs and fence rails. The
nearly globular, pale yellowish or salmon-colored eggs are about ' 20 inch
in diameter, and there are usually 400 to 500 eggs in a cluster, though
occasionally 1000 may be found in an egg mass.

The young caterpillar is slightly over ' ,0 inch long just after it emerges
from the egg. It has a black head, the body is brownish yellow and well
clothed with long hairs. 1 here is a prominent hairy tubercle on either side
of tht; segment next the head ; this gives the caterpillar a peculiar broad
headed appearance, specially in its early stages. The markings become
plainer as it increases in size, and when full grown it is from 2 to 2j4 inches
long, This caterpillar has a double row of conspicuous warts or tubercles
down its back, the eight anterior blue, the 12 remaining red, not counting
the four blue ones just behind the head. Similar tubercles also occur on
the sides | pi. 9, fig. i6|.

The somewhat conical, dark brown pupa ranges from ^ to ij^ inches
lon^ and is well represented in figure 17 on plate 9. It is usually found

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES IIQ

lying among a few threads and securely attached to them by its terminal
spine.

The male and female moths differ markedly. The former, a slender
olive brown, blacic marked creature with featherlike antennae and having
a wing spread of about lyi inches, may be seen flying in the late afternoon
and early evening in considerable numbers. It is represented with wings
expanded at figure 13, plate 9. The female is much heavier and lighter
colored. She has a wing spread of about 2 inches and is a white or buff
white color with more or less distinct black markings. The abdomen is
tipped with buff. The female in her characteristic resting position is well
shown at figure 14 on plate 9. The female moth does not fly though she
apparently has well developed wings.

Life history. The winter is passed in the (tgg mass, which is remark-
ably resistant to atmospheric and other agencies. Experiments have
shown that even when the egg clusters were broken up and freely exposed
to the elements, the eggs were apparently not harmed, and a normal
proportion of the caterpillars appeared at the usual time, which in the
vicinity of Boston is from the last of Api^il to the middle of June. The
feeding period extends from the first of May to about the middle of July, a
caterpillar requiring from about 9 to 1 1 weeks to complete its growth and
enter the pupal stage. The young caterpillars remain on the egg clusters
from one to five or more days and then commence feeding on the leaf
hairs. Soon they eat out small holes in the leaves and, after the third or
fourth molt, about as many feed on the edge of the leaf as eat out holes.
The caterpillars are largely nocturnal, remaining in clusters on limbs and
trunk or hiding in some crevice during the day, and beginning between
7 and 8 o'clock in the evening leisurely to ascend the tree, where they
feed on the foliage at intervals during the night, descending about 3 o'clock
in the morning. Many of our farmers are familiar with the masses of
forest tent caterpillars so abundant in sections of New York the past two or
three years. The gipsy moth caterpillars assemble in just such masses, and
on badly infested trees they are as destructive as our native species.

I20 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

The larvae transform to pupae during the month of June, the moths
appearing from the latter part of June till the latter part of July. In
exceptional cases these dates may be considerably extended. Males
emerge in advance of the opposite sex, and shortly after the females
appear, pairing takes place and egg deposition begins. The embryos are
frequently well developed within the agg in two or three weeks after
oviposition, but as a rule the caterpillars do not emerge till the next sprino-.
A case is on record of eggs hatching in early Septeml)er of 1805 at
Woburn Mass., but the round of life was not completed, and in this northern
latitude at least, there need be little fear of two generations annual!)-.

Food plants. One of the most dangerous features of the gipsy moth
is the exceedingly large number of plants on which its caterpillars thrive.
They will eat without hesitation almost all our native shrubs and trees and,
when hard pushed, they can subsist for a time, at least, on a number of
herbaceous plants. The common fruit trees, the elms, maples and oaks are
all eaten most readily, and, even were the list no greater, the pest would l)e
a most .serious one to combat. It feeds on many other plants, as the list of
536, given in the exhaustive report on this insect in 1896, attests. It is
very true that the caterpillar feeds on some of these only when compelled
by starvation, and that it can not be considered an enemy of a number of
others, but, even after making most liberal allowance for these, the list is
still a very formidaljlc one.

Destructiveness. Countless instances of .serious injury by this ])est
could be given, even if w(- tlid not go outside of America. It is well known
as a grievous pest in nian\- ])arts of luirope, and its operations in this
country, when unhindered by man, have been appalling. Personal observa-
tion of the infested area since 1891 leads me to consider this pest a much
worse insect enemy than the forest tent cateri)illar. It defoliates forest
and other trees just as completely as Malacosoma d i s s t r i a, and
a series of disturbances such as those caused by this native pest may be
expected when the insect becomes well established in New York State.

Means of dispersal. One of the redeeming features about the gil)sy

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 121

moth is the fact, previously noted, that the female moth does not rt\-.
This compels the insect to rely on other agencies to a great extent for its
distribution over the country, because, though the partly grown caterpillars
are good travelers, they can not, relying on their own efforts, cover o-reat
distances. Experience with the insect has shown that people and vehicles
constantly passing from an infested area to a clean one are among the most
efficient carriers of the pest in the caterpillar stage. The insect can be
conveyed long distances in the egg, and it is rather surprising that such has
not occurred more frequently. Any hard object allowed to remain near an
infested tree during July, while oviposition is in progress, is very likely to
be infested with one or more clusters of eggs. The intelligent, energetic
officials, who were in charge of the work against the gipsy moth, took
special pains to prevent such dissemination, and now that nothing is
done, there is great danger of the insect being carried with household
effects to most distant points, specially if packed in boxes and barrels
which have been allowed to lie where females could deposit eggs on them.
Fortunately for New York State, this pest is most abundant north and
northwest of Boston, and with this area we have less direct railroad com-
munication. Still as the badly infested area becomes greater along the
line of the Fitchburg railroad and extends to include the terminus of the
Boston and Albany line, the chances of the insect being brought into the
State will be very largely increased. This dangerous condition was empha-
sized by finding egg masses in the summer of 1904 on freight cars
and while in many cases cars are not left where young caterpillars would
readil\- find suitable food, in some places this is true and no one can predict
where the pest will appear next.

Natural enemies. This insect has a number of natural enemies in this
country, but unfortunately none of them are aggressive enough to war-
rant the placing of much dependence on them, though they should be
encouraged by all possible means.

Mr Forbush states that about a dozen native song birds are very useful
in devouring one stage or another of this moth and tliat about 29 other

NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

species will feed on it to a slight extent, or more largely when their usual
food is rather scarce. The most useful birds are the yellow and black-
billed cuckoos, Haltimore oriole, catbird, chickadee, blue jay, chipping-
sparrow, robin, red-eyed and yellow-throated vireos and crow.

A number of predaceous and parasitic insects have either been reared
from this insect or observed preying on it, but none of them are of sufficient
importance to warrant special mention in this connection.

Recommendations. Investigate anything that arouses a sus[)icion that
it may be the gipsy moth, but be in no undue haste to identify the insect.
It will be much more satisfactory to submit the specimens to an entomolo-
gist than to arouse unnecessary fears. There have already been several
false alarms occasioned by persons with more enthusiasm than discretion,
who have attempted to identify an insect with which they were unacquainted.

It would undoubtedly pay to exterminate a small colony, but in the
course of time this will be impracticable. We must learn to control it on
our own land. The inability of the female to tly and the conspicuousness
of the egg masses make this task relatively easy, unless the pest is allowed
to escape to the woods. There a private individual could hardly cope with
the insect. The point of establishment in this state is almost bound to
be near some dwelling, ami therefore the species need not be allowed to
establish itself in wild lantl, at least for some years.

One of the most effective methods of keeping this pest under control
is the careful collection and burning of the conspicuous ei^<^ masses. This
can be done most effectually in the fall, during the winter and in earh' spring.
No ordinary fire running over the ground can be relied on to kill the eggs.
The only safe way is to put them in a stove or similar fire and burn them
up. Creosote oil applied to the egg mass will soak in and kill the eggs.
Tlie following preparation was used in the work against the gipsy moth :
Creosote oil, 50^^; carbolic acid, 20/» ; spirits of turpentine, 20/if!, and lO/^ of
coal tar. The latter was added to color the comjjound and thus show at a
glance what clusters had been treated.

The caterpillars prefer to hide during the daytime, and advantage may

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAXD TREES I 23

be taken of this habit to tie burhip bands in the middle around tiu- tree
trunks and then turn the upper portion of the burlap down over the string.
The bands can be lifted daily and the caterpillars beneath killed. This
method proved of such great value in the work against the gipsy moth that
thousands of trees were banded during the latter part of the caterpillar
season.

The larva is c^uite resistant to arsenical poisons, ami it requires a large
dose to kill it, specially when the caterpillar is nearly grown. There is
probably no better poison for this pest than arsenate of lead, using at least
5 pounds to every 50 gallons. The application should be made as soon as
the leaves are well grown, and then the caterpillars will be poisoned while
young and most susceptible to the insecticide.

Bibliography

A very complete and exhausti\e account of this insect in America ma)'
be found in the Gipsy IMoth, a report of tlie work of destroy i7ig this insect
ill tlie iOiinnonwealth of Jlhissachnsefts, together tenth on account of its his-
tory and habits both in Massachusetts and Europe, by E. H. P""orbush and
C. H. Fernald. Many of the facts given in the above account, which was
published in the writer's i6th report," have been taken from this valuable
work, which also contains a very complete bibliography of the insect. This
work renders a bibliography unnecessary in connection with the above brief

notice.

Bag or basket worm

Thvridoptcryx cpJienieraeforniis Haworth
Small caterpillars in ( urious Ijaglike shelters are fre([uently found in early sunimer
defoliating trees and shrubs in the vicinity of New York city and further south. They
are particularly injurious to arbor vitae and other evergreens.

This insect is limited in our State to the southern portion of the
Hudson river valley and to the islands about New York. It has been
recorded as far north as Yonkers and Mt Vernon. It is a species of con-
siderable economic importance to us despite its limited range in the State,
' 1901 Felt, E. P. State Ent. i6lh Rep't, N. Y. State Mus. Bui. 36, p. 955-62.

124 ^'^^^' '^'OK'^ STATE MUSEUM

and in New York city and vicinity it finds ample opportunity to inflict
considerable damage on valuable trees. It manifests a great liking for
certain evergreens and as these are usually killed with one defoliation, there
is need of watching them closeK'. A study <>f the insect shows it to be one
of the most interesting' forms in our nati\e favina.

The conspicuous lar\al cases or bags rc\'eal the identity of the depre-
dator or excite the wonder of the curious, and examijles of these are
received yearly, some with accounts of serious injury, and others with a
query as to the nature and origin of the curious structures.

Description. The larval case or bag of this insect is usually the first to
attract notice. It is a fusiform structure from i}4 to 2^^ inches long and
in fall and winter it is firmly attached to a twig by a broad band of silk, as
shown at figure lo on plate 8. The form of the bag is quite character-
istic but as this shelter is covered with particles of bark, pieces of leaves,
leaf stems, etc., from the tree on which the larva feeds, its appearance may
vary considerably. A female case cut open in late fall or winter presents
the appearance shown at figure i i, plate 8. Within is the black pupal case
and inside that there is a soft yellowish down and a large number of
yellowish eggs, a few of which are shown enlarged on the same plate at
figure 12. The appearance of the young larva and the cases formed a little
later are exceedingly well shown at figures 13, 14 and 15 on plate 8.
Special attention should be called to the harmony in color existing between
the small ca.ses and the portion of the twig on which they occur, due as
determined by Mr Joutel, to the larva gnawing particles from the bark to
attach to its tiny case. The full grown larva removed from its protecting
bag is shown at figure 16 and the creature's method of carrying its appar-
ently cumbersome retreat is represented at figure 17. The pupal cases of
the two sexes are shown at figures 18 and 21 and the wide difference
between the adult insects at figures ig and 20. The female is almost
legless, wingless and nearly helpless, while the male is a small black moth
with well developed wings and beautiful feathery antennae.

Life history. The eggs survive the winter within the larval and pupal

IXSF.CTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES

125

cases of the female. A large number may be deposited by one female, as

1284 were taken from one bas^'- collected at Jericho L. I. and 523 occurred

in one received from Everett Pa. ; while Mr A. Ciirault states that he has

obtained as many as 2000 and 3000 eggs from individual females. The

young appear sometime in May or early in June and begin by eating the

softer portions of the leaf. They repair to the stems when not feeding and

here it is that they sometimes cover their interesting shelters by biting off

pieces of the bark and attaching them to the case. This habit was brought

to my notice by Mr Joutel who, in the course of his studies of the insect,

found many tiny brown cases on the older bark, green ones on the younger

bark and occasionally party-colored ones. The gnawed condition of the

bark showed where the color had been obtained. This is not the first

record of this interesting habit for the same thing was observed by Mr S. S.

Rathvon in 1867. He also mentions an instance of the )-oung larvae of

this insect hatching in his office and in the absence of food escaping to the

floor where they proceeded to attach to their cases pieces of paper, leather,

straw matting and even scales of lime, in fact taking anything at hand.

The cases may also be constructed on the leaves. Dr Riley's exceedingly

graphic account of this operation is as follows:

The way in which this bag is prepared is curious [fig. 17]. The young
larva crawls on a leaf and, gnawing little bits from the surface, fastens these
together with fine silk spun from its mouth. Continually adding to the
mass, the larva finally produces a narrow, elongated band, which is then

a

h

c

Fig.
pi,

■7

•cat

Young

erpHlar

(After

unde
Riie;

rpillar m
r strip ai
S-. U.S.

aking ^
:id upsi
Dep't

ide down;
Agric. Di

rf.

lea

f: a-
itcrpi
t. Bu

■p.
:lh
ll.

: begins operati<

s; ^=beginning ili<
c enlarged; y=cas'

fastened at both ends onto the surface of the leaf by silky threads. Having
secured itself from falling down by some threads, it now straddles this band
and, bending its head downward [fig. 17 b\ makes a dive under it, turns a

126 NEW VOKK STATE MUSEUM

complete somersault and lies on its back, held down by the band fh^^ 17 rj.
By a (jiiick turning movement the larva regains its feet, the band now
extending across its neck | fig. i 7 (/J. It then adds to the band at each end
till the two ends meet, and they are then fastened together so as to form a
kind of narrow collar which encircles the neck of the worm. P'ar from
resting, it now busies itself by adding row after row to the anterior or lower
end of the collar, which thus rapidly grows in girth and is pushed further
and further over the maker [fig. 17 t']. The inside of this bag is now care-
fully lined with an additional layer of silk, and the larva now marches off,
carrying the bag in an u])right position.

The case is carried in an upright position for a time but as it becomes
heavier it is allowed to hang down | pi. 8, fig. 17]. Holes are eaten out of
the leaves | pi. 8, fig. 15] as the larvae increase in size and [)ieces therefrom
are attached to their protective covering. The cases are enlarged from
time to time to nicest the requirements of the growing caterpillar. The
peculiar, ragged appearance produced by half grown bag worms is shown
on the leaf just below figure 22, plate 8. The caterpillars attain their full
size in July or August and in early September they become restless and
wander to other trees and shruljs. Next the bags are securely fastened to
twigs (sometimes the males attach their bags to leaves) by broad bands of
silk I pi. 8, fig. 10], and the caterpillars then transform to pupae and about
three weeks later assume the adult form. The males are on the wing
during .September and October. Their a]i])earance is preceded by the male
pupa wriggling itself partly out of the larval case, thus permitting the occu-
pant to escape direct from his ])upal case to the free air \sri' pi. 8, fig. 22].
The female does not leave hers till after ovipositing but works out of her
case far enough to permit pairing, returns, oviposits and then escapes from
the case ami di(-s. The posterior portion of the jnipal shell, which is the
upper part as it hangs, is filled with eggs, and the anterior or lower part
with the yellowish downy substance which is also intermixed with the eggs
to some extent. The eggs may be found tlie latter part of October and
the winter is passed in this form, as previously stated.

Food plants. This caterpillar feeds on a number .of trees and shrubs.
It is most injurious to evergreens on account of their not withstanding

INSECTS AFFF.CTING PARK AXD WOODLAND TREES 12/

defoliation during the growing season. This is specially true of arbor vitae
and red cedar. It has been recorded on the following trees, beside those
previously mentioned : apple, pear, plum, cherr\-, chokecherry, apricot, quince,
linden, catalpa, maple, locust, oak, elm, poplar, sycamore, osage orange,
willow, spruce, hemlock, larcli and white pine.

Distribution in the United States. This species is stated Ijy Dr Riley
to occur in the m<jre southern portions of the middle states and in the
southern states, though it appears to be absent from the peninsula of Florida.
It occurs within these limits from the Atlantic to Texas and reaches the less
timbered regions west of the Mississippi. Professor Webster has recently
shown that this insect has established itself in Ohio within 25 miles of Lake
Erie.

1 p 1 a inquisitor: «~full grown summer larva ; i^-hiber
nating larva; t-mouth pans of larva; rf-adult female; ,-=abdomcu of
male from side — all enlarged ; c=greatly enlarged. (After Howard. U.S.
Dep't Agric. Div. Ent. Tech. Ser. 5. i.Sq?)

Natural enemies. This species is subject to attack by several natural
enemies. Pimp la incjuisitor .Say, P. conquisitor Say, and
H e m i t e 1 e s t h y r i d o p t e r i g i s Riley, are among the more important
ichneumon parasites. The last named is more abundant than the two
preceding, and unfortunately, it is probably a hyperparasite preying on
the beneficial Pimplas. Chalcis ovata Say is a minute, four winged
fly which was reared from this species by Dr Lintner. Dil^rachys

128

NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

boucheanus Ratz., a common hyptrparasite, was also reared from this
insect by Dr Lintncr.

Remedies. The spread of this insect is dependent almost wholly on
the wandering of the larvae, wliich must be very limited on account of their
cumbersome load. This, in connection w ilh the eggs being deposited in a
stout, conspicuous case, whicli remains on the trees all winter and is easily
removed, renders the control of the insect by collecting the bags at this
time and burning them, comparatively easy. This caterpillar is a leaf
feeder and yields readily to arsenical poisons. Evergreens are quite suscep-
tible to arsenic and therefore the arsenate of lead has been recommended.

Fig. 19 C h a 1 c i s o V .1 t .1: rt^pup.-!; b -parasili/cd pupa of Heitierocampa:
c adult; rf— outline of same from side; ^—pupal exuviae — enlarged.]
(After Howard. U. S. Dcp't Agric. Div. Ent. Tech. Ser. 5. 1897)

Dr Smith advises the use of at least 15 ounces of llie arsenate to 40 gal-
lons of water for the purpose of securing the promj)! destruction of the

pests.

Bibliography

1882 Lintner, J. A. Ins. .\. V. ist Rcp't, \>. 81-87

1887 Riley, C. V. U. S. Dep't .Vgric. Div. Km. I5ul. 10, p. 22-28

1899 Felt, E. P. Fish, Game and For. Com. 5th Rcp't, p. 359-63

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES

Xylina antennata \\ alker

129

Light green, white marked ealer|iilhirs aliout 2 inches long fonietinies occur in
immense numbers on soft maples in the early summer.

The extensive defoliation of soft maples in 189S by the larvae of this
species at Schenectady and presumably at other places in the State, is
another instance of how destructive comparatively unknown species may
become provided conditions are favorable.

Recent injuries. The numerous soft maples at Schenectady were
practically stripped of their foliage by hordes of light green caterpillars.
On June 20, many were to be seen on the affected trees, not infrequently 50
to 100 on a single trunk. On the sidewalks, along the curbing and in the
roadway, larvae were crawling hither and thither. Even were one deprived
of sight, the peculiar odor arising from the thousands of larvae gave ample
evidence of their presence, and the abundance of the caterpillars called to
mind forcibly the niunert)us fields swarming with arm\- worms in 1896. At
Albany, only 17 miles distant, there was no sign of injury to the soft
maples. A search at that time was not rewarded by a single caterpillar.
As far west as Herkimer, on the Mohawk river, on the Raquette river in
St Lawrence county, and in .Schoharie county, man)- soft maples were
defoliated. In some cases this was probably the work of Xylina larvae,
though the forest tent caterpillar, Malacosoma disstria lliibn., was
abundant and may have caused the mischief. In Massachusetts a green
larva was quite destructive to soft maples, as stated l)y Mr R. H. Cooley.
This depredator may be the same species that proved so destructive in
New York. In a letter referring the larvae to Xylina, I)r I)\-ar states that
in 1897 they were (jiiite common on maples at Hell[)ort L. 1., and less
abundant though plenty the following season.

Comparatively unknown. ;\n examination of the literature relating to
this insect shows that it is comparatively unknown to economic entomology,
specially as a defoliator of maple or other trees, though Dr Rile\-, in his 3d
report on the insects of Missouri, states that for several years he had
known the larvae to be common on apple, poplar, hickory and some other

NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

trt-es, the leaves of which they devour. This species, in conjunction with
X y 1 i n a laticinerea Grote and X. grotei Riley, was reported in
1896 by Professor Slint^erland of the Cornell Agricultural Experiment
Station, as quite injurious to fruits in the State, more specially in the
western jnirt. Extensive injuries to apples in Orleans county, N. Y., were
also reported to I)r Howard the same year. Previous to that, there had
been but one record of injuries in New York by this species and that was
in 1877. In other States there have been a few instances of these insects
attacking fruits. In 1870, I)r Riley received several complaints of injury
by the larvae of this insect to peaches and apples. In 1888, it was some-
what injurious to apples and a bulUttin by Prof. ¥. H. Hillman, of the
Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station, records serious injuries in 1890
to roses by th(; same insect.

Description. The larvae of this species are stout, smooth, liglit green,
cutworm-like caterpillars measuring from i to i'< inches in length when
full grown. The head is pale yellowish green. There is a ratlier broad
yellowish white or wiiite dc^rsal stripe along tiie body, a narrower wliiie
subdorsal stripe, a broken, faint lateral stripe of the same color and an
irregular white stigmatal stripe. The tubercles are rather large and white,
and the skin is minutely spotted with the same color. Professor .Slinger-
land [see citation I states that in the larvae of X. grote i both edges of
the stigmatal stripe are well defined, while in those of X. a n t e n n a t a the
upper edge is much broken or indcnletl. He finds that the subdorsal stripe
is more continuous in the latter, it being composed of three or four irregular
spots on each segment in X. grotei. He separates the larvae of
X. laticinerea from those of X. antennata bv the position of the
stigmatal stripe, which is just above the spiracles, except the one at each
extremity, in the former species, while in the latter it is mostly below the
spiracles.

The moth | pi. 43, fig. 6] is ashy gray with indistinct, rather variable
markings. Sometimes it resembles X. laticinerea so closely that only
an authority on the family can separate the species. So close is the resem-

INSECTS AFFECTIXG PARK AND WOODLAND TREES I3I

blance between these forms, that at first the larvae depreclatuii; on the
maples were referred by Dr Dyar to X. grotei and X. 1 a t i c i n e r e a,
the determination being based on examples named by Dr Smith some years
ago. The subsequent studies of the latter have somewhat modified his
views as to the limitation of these species, and have led to a renaming of
those at the United States National Museum. These forms are undoubt-
edly very close to each other, though Professor Slingerland has found
differences in the male genitalia of X. a n t e n n a t a and X. g r o t (; i .

Life history. Usually the larvae are not observed till May or June.
They complete their growth by the middle of the latter month, enter the
ground and pupate an inch or more below the surface. They remain in the
quiescent stage till September, when most of them emerge. Though some
hibernate as pupae, the majority pass the winter as adults. It has been
stated that in the south, the eggs are deposited on the under surface of the
leaves. No record of the oviposition in the north has been made.

Food habits. Though comparatively little is known about the food
habits of this species, it is probably a somewhat general feeder. Dr Riley
records attacks by the larvae of X. a n te n na t a on apples, peaches, oak
galls, hickory leaves and those of other forest trees. Their feeding upon
rosebuds and maple foliage has already been mentioned. The extensive
defoliation of the soft maples would indicate, however, that the species
becomes abundant only when climatic and other conditions favor its rapid
development on some favorite food plant like the soft maple. In his
bulletin, Professor Slingerland adds peas, plums, currants and quinces to
the list of fruits injured and states that one grower had to watch the buds
on grafted pears to prevent their being destroyed. F'urther observations
may greatly extend the list of known food plants.

Natural enemies. Two hymenoptera, Mesochorus agilis Cres.
ami M e t e o r u s h y p h a n t r i a e Riley, were reared from X. 1 a t i c i -
nerea by Professor Slingerland. They would probably attack X.
antennata with equal readiness. The latter parasite is a very efficient
enemy of the fall web worm, H y p h a n t r i a t e x t o r Harr. In addition

1^2 NEW YORK STATE MLSEL'M

to these, the writer has reared examples of the red-tailed tachina fly, W i n-
t h e m i a 4-p u s t u 1 a t a Fabr., a species whicii has frequently rendered most
valuable aid in controllins^ the army worm, Ileliophila unipuncta
Haw.

Remedies. Parasites and native birtls will keep this species under con-
trol in most cases. The outbreak chronicled in the preceding pages is out
of the usual order and may not occur again for years. In such event,
spraying the infested trees with one of the arsenical poisons is our best
remedial measure. If the application is made before the caterpillars are
more than half grown, serious injury to the trees may be averted. Many
of the descending caterpillars can be killed by inclosing the trunks of the
infested trees with a low overhanging barricade and then treating the
collected larvae with hot water, kerosene emulsion or other contact insecti-
cide wherever spraying is impracticable. Small trees can be protected by
jarring the caterpillars from them, and if sticky bands are placed around
the trunk and properly guarded no larvae can ascend to continue their
destructive work.

Bibliography
1896 Slingerland, M. V. Corm-ll I'niv. .Agric . Kx]). St;i. liul. 123, p. 509-22
1898 Felt, E. P. State Ent. 14th Rep't X. Y. State .Mus. Bill. 23, p. 207-12

White marked tussock moth

Hcvicrocampa hiicostigma Abb. and Sm.

Red headed, yellow and black tiUted caterpillars may frequently be observed in
early summer defoliating horse-chestnut, linden, maple, elm and other trees.

This insect appears to thrive best in cities and villages and some
seasons proves a \eritable scourge in certain localities. In Albany ami
Troy, the iiorse-chestnuts are usually partly defoliated each spring and
occasionally stripped of all their leaves by the voracious caterpillars of this
moth. The lindens frequently suffer nearly as much, and tiie maples and
elms come in for a goodly share of attention from year to year. The above
is probably true to a great e.xtent of most of the cities and larger villages
in the State. The summer of 1898 was marked by the abundant presence

INSECTS AFFFXTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES I 33

of this insect, and the extensive defoliations which occurred at the time
aroused the people to the necessity of fighting the pest. This was done so
effectively that very little trouble with this caterpillar was reported in 1899.

Early history. This species was regarded in earlier years as a serious
enemy to appletrees in Ontario, for Rev. C. J. S. Bethune, writing in 1871.
stated that it was a serious pest and that in the Western -States it had
defoliated some of the orchards, and even attacked the fruit. The late Dr
Lintner, in his second report, records several instances of severe injury to
fruit trees by this species. Serious depredations have also been reported by
Professor Lowe, entomologist of the State Agricultural Experiment Station.
He received many comijlaints in 1895, specially from Yates and Ontario
counties, where the caterpillars not only devoured foliage, but attacked
the fruit. He states in his report that one fruit grower estimated the loss
on his apple crop at 25 percent.

A city pest. This insect is widely distributed over the country, but it
is one of those forms which are much more destructive in the cities and
towns than in the country. The cause for this is probably found largely in
the protection- afforded by the English sparrow. It not only fails to feed
on this caterpillar but drives away many native birds that would. I )r J. L.
Le Conte has placed on record an interesting instance of the effect this bird
may have on our local fauna. He states that the English sparrow was
imported for the purpose of keeping in check the snow white linden moth,
Ennomos subsignarius Hiibn., and that in Philadelphia, after the
sparrows had destroyed the Ennomos larvae, the white marked tussock
moth caterpillars found abundant food, and being unmolested by the spar-
row on account of their irritating hairs, they soon became even worse pests
than the other species.

Other forms of Hemerocampa. There are several other species in the
country belonging to this genus, one of which, H. d ,- f i n i t a Packard, has
frequently been confused with H. leucostigma. As an aid to the
ready identification of these interesting larvae, the following table by Dr
Dyar is reproduced.

134 ^'^^^' VORK STATE MUSEUM

Synopsis of the larvae of Hemerocampa

Head yellow, colors in general jjale d e f i n i t a

Head red

A distinct yellow subdorsal band leucostigma

Gray marks predominate, the yellmv band not noticeable inornata

Head black

Warts crimson, bruslilike tufts dark along the crest, the yellow lines
along the sides broken into spots

One black tuft in young larva vetusta

Two black tufts in young larva var. c a n a

Description. The full grown caterpillar has a coral red head, a pair of
loiii^r black i)lunies just over it, a single one at the opposite extremity of the
b()d\', four dclicale \cll<j\vish or white- brushlike tufts on its back and just
behind them, separated only by a segment, two small, retractile, red eleva-
tions. Along the back, except for the tubercles and tufts, there is a broad
black Ijand bordered by )-ellowish subdorsal stri])es. I^ach side is dark
gray, except the yellowish tubercles. A black line indicates the position of
the spiracles or breathing pores, and below this latter line it is yellow, the
legs usually being jialer [pi. 7, tig. i |. This gives the general appearance
of the caterpillar after it has become half or two thirds grown, and at a
time when its depredations begin to be ajiparent. The recently hatched
larva is a [lale yellowish or whitish creature with long, irregular hairs. As
it feeds, increases in size, and casts its skin [pi. 7, lig. 5I from time to time,
one after another of the characteristics of the full grown larva are assumed.
When maturity is reached, the larvae spin their thin cocoons in the
crevices of the bark [pi. 7, fig. 4], interweaving their long hairs, and within
this shelter transform to yellowish white pupae more or less shaded with
dark brown or black [pi. 7, fig. ~\. '

The difference between the sexes in the adult stage is strikingly shown
by comparing on plate 7, figure 2, an illustration of the male, with figure 3,
a representation of the feinale. The former is a beautiful moth with large,
featherv antennae, tufted legs, and th(' wings and body delicately marked

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 1 35

with several shades of gray and grayish white. On the other liand, the
female is a nearly uniform gray, with simple antennae, and but rudimentary
wings.

The eggs are deposited on the empty cocoon under a conspicuous
white mass of frothy matter [pi. 7, fig. 3], which soon hardens and forms a
very effective protection. The individual egg is nearly spherical, about
1/25 inch in diameter, white or yellowish white, and with a light brown spot
surrounded by a ring of the same color.

Life history and habits. The winter is passed in the; conspicuous,
white, easily removed egg masses, the young emerging about the latter part
of May in this latitude. They begin to feed on the more tender lower
epidermis of the leaf and soon devour all but the principal veins. While
young, the caterpillars frequently hang by a silken thread and with con-
tinued jarring many may drop to the ground. The growth of the cater-
pillars occupies a month or a little more, pupation occurring the latter part
of June and early in July. In Albany most of the larvae had pupated by
July 7 in 1898, and some recently deposited egg masses w-ere to be seen at
that time. A few individuals spin up earlier than the mass and some do
not till numerous egg clusters indicate that most of the insects have already
completed the round of life.

From 10 to 15 days are passed in the pupal state. At the end of this
period, the wingless female emerges and crawls on ner cocoon, pairing takes
place, and immediately afterwards deposition of the eggs begins, as stated
by Dr L. O. Howard. Thev are laid in masses as described above, the
eggs of a cluster ranging in number from 100 to 500, as given by several
writers. In what appeared to be a good sized mass collected in Albany,
there were 330 eggs. After her full complement has been discharged,
the female dies and drops to the ground. In Albany there is normally
one annual generation, but in New York city and vicinity and in Boston
Mass., there are two broods, while at Washington D. C, there are three
broods each year, according to Dr Howard. Occasionally a few larvae
belonging to this species may be met with in Albany during August and

136 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

September though as a general rule they are scarce. One small tree was
observed in 1902 which had suffered severely from a second brood of this
insect and a number of nearly full grown caterpillars were present the latter
part of August.

The young larvae feed on the under surface of the foliage [pi. 7, fig. 6],
and as they increase in size more and more holes are eaten, till when full
grown all hut the main ril>s of the leaves, well representml in plate 7, are
devoured. A peculiar habit, recorded by the late Dr Lintner but not
observed by others outside of Albany, is the girdling of elm twigs by the
larvae of this insect. This is caused by their eating a portion of the bark
around the twig near the beginning of the season's growth [pi. 7, fig. 8].
The affected tips soon die, break off, and fall in numbers to the ground.
The larvae drop from the trees rcadil\-, s[)ccially when young, suspending
themselves by silken threads, and then. may be blown or carried consider-
able distances. When nearly full grown, the caterpillars travel to a great
extent ; this is saiil to l)e specially true of the larger ones, females, and
more likely to occur if they are very abundant. At such times there may
be quite a migration to other trees. The cocoons are found very generally
on the trunks ami particularly on the underside of the larger branches.

The wingless females, at llie time they emerge from their cocoons,
attract large numbers of the opposite sex. Dr Lintner records an instance
of one attracting one hundred males within an hour. Collections at electric
lights in Poughkeepsie N. Y., by Dr Dyar, show that the males fly during
July ami into August.

Food plants. This insect, though commonly destructive to compara-
tively few trees, has been recorded as feeding on a number of others, as the
following list will show : linden, horse-chestnut, buckeye, maples (specially
the soft and Norway), bo.x elder, honey locust, apricot, garden plum, wild
plum, garden cherry, chokecherry, rose, pear, apple, quince, ash, elm
(several species), sycamore or buttonwood, butternut, black walnut, hickory,
oak, birch, alder, willow, poplar, s]>ruce, fir, larch and cypress.

Distribution. This native siiccies "ranges from Jacksonville V\a.. to
Nova Scotia on the eastern coast and e.xtends west certainlv as far as

INSECTS AFFECTIXG PARK AND WOODLAND TREES

137

Keokuk la., and probably farther," according to Dr L. O. Howard. It has
been recorded as common in Nebraska, and reported as present in Oregon.
Natural enemies. This insect has so many efficient natural enemies,
that account of them should always be taken in any effort to check the
pest. It is probable that quite a number of birds prey on the caterpillars
of this species. A recent article by Mr E. H. Forbush, ornithologist to the
Massac\usetts State Board of Agriculture, lists 47 species of native birds
which have been observed feeding on hairy caterpillars, and he states that

r- a b

Fig 'o P i m p 1 .a i n q u i 5 i t o r: a=shrunken tussock moth caterpillar bearing
parasite eggs in situ; <=egg: c-eggs in situ; rf-Iarvae, full grown, feeding on
spun-up caterpillar: ^-cocoons of parasite within Hemerocampa cocoon;
a, </, A slightly enlarged, c, still more enlarged, b, greatly enlarged. (After
Howard, from Yearbook, Dep't Agric. 1895)

probably all of them will feed on this pest. It has been known for some
years that the robin, Baltimore oriole, black-billed cuckoo, and yellow-billed
cuckoo will feed on the caterpillars of this species, and to this Mr Forbush
adds the following by observation : whip-poor-will, chimney swift, phoebe,
blue jay, robin and English sparrow.

The insect parasites of this species are extremely valuable allies and
should be encouraged in every practical manner The extensive studies
by Dr L. O. Howard' have made valuable and very material additions
-U. S. Dept Agric. Div. Ent. Tech. Ser. 5. 1S97.

138 NEW YORK STATE MLSEUM

to our knowledt^e of these interesting forms. His paper gives a very
good idea of the inter-relations existing between the various species. His
studies show that there are 21 primary parasites of this pest and three
others that probably hold the same relationship. He obtained 14 hyper-
parasites and I I species were reared from tlead chrysalids or cocoon masses.
He states that in Washington 1). C, Pimpla i n q u i s i t o r Say and
Chalcis ovata Say | tig. 18, 1 9 | are the two species most effective in con-
trolling this pest, and that large numbers of the former insect hibernate as
larvae within the cocoons of the host, while in no instance was the latter
parasite reared from cocoons of Hemerocampa taken the previous winter.
He has also shown that when hymenopterous parasites are comparatively
scarce, certain tachinids may destroy large numbers of this pest, the more
important being Tachina mella Walk., Frontina frenchii \\"ill.
and Euphorocera claripennis Macq. Besides those mentioned
above, Dr Howard gives the following as primary parasites of this species :
Pimpla c o n q u i s i t o r Sa)-, P i m j) 1 a a n n u 1 i ]> e s Say, A m o r p h o t a

r g y i a e How., M e t e o r u s c o ni m u n i s Cres., M e t e o r u s h y p h a n-
triae Riley, Limneria sp., Limneria valida Cres., Theronia
fulvescens Brulle, A pan teles deli cat us ffow., A pan teles
hyphanlriae Rile)-, Apan teles parorgyiae Ashm., P t e r o-
mains c u p r o i d e u s 1 low., C r a t o t e c h u s o r g y i a e F"itch, T e 1 e-
nomus orgyiae Fitch, P" r o n t i n a aletiae Riley, E x o r i s t a
griseomicans V. d. W. and W i n t h e m i a 4 - p u s t u 1 a t a F"abr. At
Washington these parasites became so abundant that in the autumn of 1895
about gOyr of the larvae were destroyed. In addition to the above named
parasites, Dr Howard records that Ichneumon s u 1j c y a n e u s Cres.,

1 c h n e u m on c o e r u 1 e u s Cres. and A 1 1 o c o t a t h y r i d o p t e r i g i s
Rile\- were all observed investigating recently formed 1 Icnu-rocampa cocoons
and were a|)])arcnlly about to ovi])osit. The last, he states, is parasitic
upon Pimpla.

In his study of these parasites I)r Howard found tliat llie conditions
were not uniff)rm In all parts of the city of Washington, the parasitism being

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES

139

more general in the vicinity of the grounds of the Department of Agricul-
ture, where most of the observations were made, than in other portions of
the city. The difference due to locality is also shown by the parasites' in
the state collection reared by the late Dr Lintner from this species, though
his study of them was by no means so extensive as that at Washington.
The one occurring most abundantly was Tachina mella Walk.
Pimpla hirticauda Prov., a species not reared at Washington from
this insect, was bred in greater numbers than any other of the larger
hymenopterous parasites. Most of the individuals belonging to this species
were reared in July, but two appearing in June and a few others in August.

'ig. 31 Dil, rachy
./-head of larva; ,
Div. Ent. Tech.S

/»=Dupa; t=adult female — greatly enlarge
enlarged. (After Howard, U. S. Dep't Agr!

Pimpla inquisitor Say, P. c o n (j u i s i t o r Sa)- and P. a n n u 1 i p e s
Brulle occurred in about equal numbers. Of the smaller primary parasites
P t e r o m a 1 u s c u j) r o i d e u s How. and an unnamed species belonging to
the same genus were about equal!)' abundant.

Though the list of primary jjarasites is long and includes some very
important species, many of these are in turn the victims of enemies. The
parasites breeding in those which prey on injurious forms must be classed
as enemies to man, since they indirectly protect a species injurious to his
interests by destroying large numbers of its parasites. One of the most

'Determined through the courtesy of Dr L. O. Howard.

I40

NEW YORK STATE Ml'SEUM

abundant of the hyperparasites reared by Dr Howard at Washington was
Dibrachys boucheanus Ratz. [fig 2 1], it being present in such force
as to almost kill off Pimpla inquisitor the latter part of 1 896. This
species was also reared in large numbers by Dr Lintner in 1883. It is in
turn, as demonstrated by Dr Howard, preyed upon by Asecodes a 1 b i-
tarsis Ashm. The following is a list of the hyperparasites of H e m e-
rocampa leucostigma, as given by Dr Howard: H em i teles
t o w n s e n d i Ashm.. B a t h )■ t h r i x m e t e o r i H ow., B a t h y t h r i x
pimplae How., Adistola americana How., Otacustes peri-
lit i Ashm., H a b r o c y t u s t h y r i d o p t e r i g i s Ashm., P e z o m a c h u s
i n s o 1 i t u s How., .S p i 1 o c h a 1 c i s d e b i 1 i s Say, E u p e 1 m u s 1 i m-
neriae How., Dibrachys boucheanus Ratz., Elachistus
cacoeciae How., El asm us at rat us How., S y n t o mo s p h y r u m
esurus Riley and Asecodes albitarsis Ashm.

A number of scavengers were reared by Dr Howard from the pupae
or masses of cocoons. The list is as follows: Helicobia helicis
Towns. Sarcophaga species, Phora nigriceps Loew, Phora
inci sural is Loew, Phora fasciata Fall., Phora agarici Lintn.,
L i m o s i n a species, H o m a 1 o m y i a s c a 1 a r i s Fabr., G a u r a x
a n c h o r a Loew, X e o g 1 a p h \- r o p t e r a b i v i 1 1 a t a Say and D i p 1 o-
s i s species.

In addition to these, a Eulophid was reared in some numbers from the
cocoons of Hemerocampa by Dr Lintner in 1883 and 1884. A dermestid
beetle, Pcrimegatoma variegatum Horn, has been recorded in
Insect Life as a very effective destroyer of the eggs of Hemerocampa
in California. The wheel bug, Prionidus cristatus Linn., is said to
prey on the larvae in the Southern States, and in 1898 the writer observed
a mite, a species of Rhyncholophus," eating the contents of many eggs.

Remedies. The simplest and most satisfactory remedy is found in
gathering and destroying the ^^^ masses. Prizes were offered in Roches-
ter N. Y., in 1894, to school children gathering the largest number of egg

" Determined through the courtesy of Dr \.. O. Howard.

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES I4I

masses, and most excellent results wen; ohtainctl. In jjlaces where this is
practically the only shade tree pest, this system or the payment of a bounty
on the egg masses would undoubtedly result in the pest binng kept under
control at a comparatively small outlay. As the eggs art; in a compact
mass which is readily torn from the supijorting cocoon, either bv Iiaiul or
some form of a scraper, the task is c'asil\- and (fuickly performed. ])r
Howard has recommenik;d the; use of crc-osote oil for the d(;struction of the
eggs, since each mass has only to Ije moistened with the sul)stance. In
winter it is necessary to add some turpentine in order to keep the creosote
liquid. On account of the female being wingless, a tree once thoroughly
cleaned will not become reinfestetl very soon if larvae are not abundant
near by, and c;ven then a band of loose cotton bound tightly near its middle
around the trunk and the portion above the string turned down, will pre-
vent their ascending and a consequent reinfestation. It should Ix- ke])t in
mind that only the eggs must be collected or destroyed, on account of the
beneficial parasites which may occur in cocoons not bearing ey^o^ masses.
This is specially true in the autumn and a|)pli(;s to a certain extent in the
spring, since it has been shown that somi; parasites hibernate as larvae
within the cocoons of the host, and if these are collected and destroyed, it
means the death of man\' benelicial forms. The egg masses are more
readily seen after the leaves ha\ (; fallen and in localities like Albany, where
one annual generation is the rule, the gathering of the eggs may well be
deferred till autumn, or, better still, till earl)- spring, sinc(; there will then
be less chance of destroying valuable parasites. As the young caterpillars
begin to hatch the latter part of ]VIa\-, collection of the egg masses can not
be delayed with safety aftt-r the middle of that month. In Boston, New
York city and more southern localities, it may be necessary to make a mid-
summer collection of the eggs laid by the first brood of moths, and in case
it is impracticable to do this, dependence must be placed on s])raying with
some arsenical poison. This is satisfactory if properly done early in the
season under favorable conditions. It is very difficult to have the spray-
ing propt;rly done, and then there may be hindrances incitlent to several

142 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

days or a week of rain or other causes at the time the poison should be
applied.

Not a few wait till the trees show signs of serious injury and then ask
for some means of stopi^ing the ravages. Resort may be had under such
conditions to spraying with a larger proportion of ])()ison in order to kill
the caterpillars quickly or they may be shaken from the limbs, provided the
tree is not too large. Tlu: hitler means will give a certain amount of relief
where practicable and should be supplemented by the use of cotton bands
or other measures for preventing the ascent of those shaken from the tree.

Bibliography

1885 Lintner, J. A. Ins. N. Y. 2(1 Rep't, p. 6S-89

1895 Howard, L. O U. S. Dept Agric. Year Book, p. 368-75

1895 Lintner, J A. Ins. N. Y. nth Rep t, p. 124-26

1898 Felt, E. P. State Ent. 14th Rep't N. Y. State Miis. Bui. 23, p. 163-76

1898 Fish. Game and For. Com. 4th Rep't, ]). 368-74

Fall webworm
I fypliantria Icxtor Harris'

Conspicuous web tents in July and August inclosing skeletonized, usually brown
leaves on the tips of branches are the most conspicuous signs of the presence of this
insect, a species which feeds on a large number of trees and occurs commonly on the white
elm, willows and poplars in New York State.

The conspicuous webs of this cater])illar are very familiar objects the
latter part of summer. They may be recognized at once by their inclosing
all the leaves of a twig or branch and if these features are kept in mind
there will be no danger of confounding this species with the common tent
caterpdlar, a pest which forms webs in early spring in the crotches of the
limbs and does not inclose leaves within its webs. The hairy fall web-
worms feed under their tent on the softer ujjjjer portions of the foliage
which soon dries. The bc;auty of the tree is seriously marred by the
unsightly nests and the brown, skeletonized foliage within them. Occasion-
ally this insect is present in such large numbers as to devour most of the

■ Discussed under Hyphantria cunea Drury in 5th report of Fisheries, Forest
and Game Commission.

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 1 43

foliage, and in southern cities entire rows of trees may have their leaves
destroyed by this pest.

Distribution. This insect is an American species and occurs from
Canada to Georgia and certainly as far west as Montana and Texas. It
appears to be more injurious in some of the southern states like Kentucky,
where the development of a vigorous second generation is the rule, than it
is farther north.

Description. The yellowish, globular eggs [pi. lo, fig. i | are deposited
in clusters of i to 300, usually on the underside of the leaf. The yellow
changes to a dull leaden hue, due to the developed caterpillar within, just
before the eggs hatch.

The recently emerged caterpillar has been described as pale yellow,
sparsely haired, w^ith a black head and with two rows of black marks along
the body, but as there is considerable variation in the color of the larva
later in life, it would not be surprising to find the same more or less true of
its earlier stages. The hairy, yellowish, brown and black marked cater-
pillars vary considerably in appearance. A half grown and two full grown
larvae are represented on plate 10, figure 2, a dorsal and a lateral view being
given of the latter two. The head is black and the whitish or brownish
hairs spring in clusters from the black and orange tubercles.

The oval cocoon is thin and mixed with larval hairs or, where it is
spun at or just below the surface of the ground, particles of soil may be
entangled in its meshes. The brownish pupa may be recognized by the
swelling near its middle [pi. 10, fig. 3, 4].

The moth is very variable in appearance and ranges from a pure white
to a form much spotted with black. [ Compare fig. 5 and 6, pi. 10.]

Identity of the insect. The extreme variability of the adult has led to
the bestowal of a number of scientific names on the insect, which in its
larval state makes the conspicuous web above described. The studies of
Mr H. H. Lyman led him to conclude that two species have been confused
under the name of Hyphantria cunea Drury. The web made by
the larva of the more common species in this .State belongs to H y ph an-

144 ^'^^^' '^'OK'^ STATE MUSEUM

tria text or Harris and it is therefore noticed under its proper name,
thoii.i,di in a preceding paper the author refers it to 1 1 \- p li a n t r i a
cunea Drury. This latter insect may also occur in the State to some
extent but appears to be rarer llian the other species.

Life history. The moths tly from early in June till the middle of
Aui,aist, at least, occurring in large numbers in the middle of June, the
early jiart of July and the first half of August, according to captures by Dr
II. ( I. I)\ar at Poughkeepsie X. \'. Records kindly placed at my disposal
by -Prof. G. II. I hulson of the normal school at Plattsburg, show that
moths appear in small numbers at that place from the gth to the last of
May, that the)' are cpiile abundant throughout |une, being most numerous
from the 8th to the loth and from the i4lh to the 30th. They were also
present in small num])ers throughout July, occurring in largc^r numbers on
the 2)^\ and 4lh, and one individual was taken .August 2. The caterpillars
begin to I)e noticed the latter ])art of [une t)r t-arl\- in [uly and are most
abundant in August. They were observetl at Annandale, Dutchess co.,
June 27, H)00 and at Buffalo, Erie co., lul\- 3 in the same \ear. Thus in
the southern portions of l\u: .State tlu; normal occurrence of at least a partial
second brood can harill\ be (jucslioned, but so far north as Plattsburg it
would appear from the recortl given 1)\- Professor Hudson that but one
generation a year is the usual rule.

The yellowish or greenish eggs are de])osileil in clusters of several
hundred on the underside of a leaf and are- fre(|uently protecteil 1)\- atllier-
ing white .scales from the mother's body. They hatch in warm weather
in from 7 to 10 days, the young caterpillars beginning at once to spin a web
under which llie)' feed. This protecting web is extended to include more
ami more foliage till finally a considerable proportion of a Ijranch may be
inclosed. The caterpillars feed only on the upper portion of the leaf,
devouring onl_\- the softer parenclu'ma. The skeletoniz(;d leaves within tlie
nest s(Jon dr\-, turn brown and they with the frass ami cast skins of the
caterpillars, render the nests very unsightly objects. Occasional!}" the
cater])illars ma\- be forced to leave their webs on account of a scant)' food

INSECTS AFFECTIXG PARK AND WOODLAND TREES

H5

supply hut ortlinarily this does not occur till the\- are nearly full jrrown,
which is usually aljout a month after hatchinj^ and then they wander in
search of a place to undergo their final transforniations. The caterpillars
may spin their thin, semitransparent cocoons in crevices of the bark and in
similar shelters at or below the surface of the ground. The insect usually
hibernates in an undergrounci cocoon but Professor Garman of Kentucky
has recorded an instance where the adults emerged in the fall and success-
fully wintered. A recently issued moth was also taken in \\'ashington
D. C, in earl)- January of 1S90. The first generation of caterpillars are
said to spin their cocoons above ground by preference.

Food habits. This caterpillar is a very general feeder as is attested by
a list of 120 food plants, comprising fruit, shade and ornamental trees, that
has been compiled by the Division of Entomology of the United States
Department of Agriculture. The white elm, willows and poplars suffer
perhaps as much as any trees in New York State, though more complaints
are received of the depredations of this insect on fruit trees. This is
doubtless due to the fact that the injury to the latter is more
reported on account of the greater value of the trees.

Natural enemies. Fortunately this
Insect is preyed on by a number of
natural enemies. A tiny egg parasite,
T e 1 e n o m u s b i f i d u s Riley, may
sometimes destroy most of the eggs
in a cluster. There is a record of
E r e m o t )• 1 u s g 1 a b r a t u m Sa\' ha\"-
ing been reared from this insect.
Apanteles hj'phantriae R ile)-
and Eimneria [) a 11 i p e s Pro\-. are
important parasites of this pest and pi^
they in turn are attacked by E 1 a s m u s
atratus How. Meteorus h y p h a n t r i a e Riley is another valuable
parasite of this insect. Its suspended cocoon may be recognized by the

Generally

c t e o r u s h y p h a n t r i .•> e
(After Riley. U. S. Dep't Agric. D

146 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

accomiJanyin>r figure. The siMiicd soklier bui^^ Podisus spinosus
Dall, and the allied E u s c h i s t u s servus Say prey on the caterpillars.
The larvae of a Carahiil beetle P 1 o c h i o n u s t i m i d u s Hald., have been
observed in Missouri within the nests in considerable numbers feeding on
the caterpillars. C a 1 o s o m a s c r u t a t o r I'abr., dragonllies and a species
of robber lly prey on tlie moths. Th(- pra\ing mantis, S t a g ni o m a n t i s
Carolina Linn., and the wheel bug, P r i o n i d u s c r i s t'a t u s Linn., are
two forms which attack caterpillars in the Southern States. A fungus,
Empusa grylli, has been recorded as very destructive to this pest in
Kentuck}' in certain years.

Remedies. The habit the caterpillars have of fec-ding under a large
web renders it comparatively easy to cut off the infested ])()rtions of the
limb and kill the pests by crushing or l)urning, and where the insect is pres-
ent in small numbers, this is [jrobably the most satisfactory method. The
pests can also be fought by burning them with a torch while the web is still
on the tree, but many of the caterpillars may escape destruction, and unless
the work is very cautiously done, the fire may injure the tree seriously.
Spraying with arsenical poisons about the time the caterpillars appear is
most satisfactory where apparatus for such work is at hand.

Bibliography
1SS7 Riley, C. V. U. S. llep't .\gric. Div. Ent. Bui. 10, p. 3.3-53
1895 Howard, L. O. U. S. Dep't Agric. Year Book, \^. 375-76
i.Sijfj Felt, E. P. Fish, (ianic and For. Com. 5th Rep't, p. 363-68

Elm leaf beetle

(ialcritcclla litlcola Mullen

Irrc'^ular circular holes occurring in the leaves of elms, particularly of the luiropean

species, followed liy skeletonizing of the under surface of the foliage by the grubs and

subsequent browning of the remaining tissues, are very characteristic features of this

insect's presence.

This imported insect is in all proliability responsible for more ruined
elm trees in the Hudson river valley than all other destructive agencies
combined. The above is a sweeping assertion, but a careful examination <if

INSECTS AFFECTIXG PARK AND WOODLAND TREES I47

conditions in various cities and \Hlagcs compels one to accept this conclu-
sion as very close to the truth. Tlie extensive and vii^orous means employed
in controlling this pest in Albany and Troy N. Y., havtt mitigated the injury
very materially and have demonstrated the possibility of keeping the insect
under control. The results in Albany are evident to any observer, for
instead of a large proportion of the elms having their leaves skeletonized
and brown in midsummer, as was the rule in 1896 and 1S97, the; (;ffects of
the work of this pest are seen only here and there where trees have not.
been thoroughly sprayed or else entirely neglected. These more local
injuries show that the pest is still here with unabated vigor and warrants
the assumption that the improved condition of the elms is due largeh' to the
extensive s])raying operations.

Distribution. This beetle, as stated by Dr Howard, is common over a
large part of Eiu^ope, but it is injurious only in the southern portions of
Germany and France and in Italy and Austria. It probably established
itself in this country about 1834, as it was vc^ry injurious to elms in Balti-
more in 1838. Its southernmost range has been given b)- I)r Howard as
Charlotte X. C and Prof. F. M. Webster records finding it north of .Salem
]\Iass. It occin's as far west as Kentucky at least and is well established in
Ohio. The progress of this insect up the Hudson river valley is interesting
to follow, indicating as it does, the distribution of the beetles along the
lines of travel. The pest was abundant and destructive at Xewburgh in
5879, and two years later it was reported from Poughkeepsie, in 1890 from
Hudson, in 1891 from New Baltimore, in 1892 it was known in Albany and
Troy, in 1896 it was taken at Mechanicville, in 1900 it was located at Schuy-
lerville and .Salem, and in 1904 it was found in numbers at (jlens balls, it was
abundant at Hoosick Falls in 1899 and it has also been taken at Oswego,
Hastings and Rochester. It occurs at Ithaca and is present in numbers
at Elmira, Chemung co. The aliove dates indicate ai)])roNimatel}' the
rapidity w^ith which the insect has made its way from onv. place to another,
and show that it sjjreads much more readily along the Hudson river than
east or west from its banks. The distribution of the species in this State

148 NEW YOKK STATE MISEL'M

maybe _t,nvcn briclly as follows: the Hudson river valley north to (ik-ns
I*"alls and westward to Schenectady, at least in the Mohawk valley and with
several colonies in the south and western central portions of the State.
These latter are of great economic importance as they indicate that the
species can exist in that section of the State, and gives rise to the fear that
in time it may become as destructive there as it now is in the Hudson river
valley.

This insect has spread over a large proj^ortion of Connecticut and into
Rhode Island. It hat! made its way u]) the Connecticut river valley to
Springfield by 1S91 and to Amherst by 1895. It has now attained a rather
general distribution throughout Massachusetts.

The above record indicates most clearly that this pest has not made its
way to all portions of New York State where it may be expected to thrive.
The climate of the ujjper austral life zone seems to agree with the insect,
judging from its abundance and the number of broods in Albany and
vicinity. Briefly, this area embraces Long and Staten islands, the valley of
the Hudson river north al)()ul to .Saratoga and a large portion of the north-
western and central part of tiie State adjacent to Lake Ontario and includ-
ing Oneida, Cayuga and Seneca lakes and neighboring bodies of water.
The insect will jirobably make its way along the lines of travel to most of
the cities and larger villages lying within the above limits. The fact of its
having become established at localities not )et included within this zone
indicates that it may have a somewhat wider range, though climatic condi-
tions will probaljl)- prevent its becoming destructive outside this area.

Recent injuries about Albany. The elm leaf beetle was recognized in
All)any !))• the late Dr Lininer about 1892, having probably made its way
here a year or two earlier. Its ravages became more and more serious
from that time till 1897, when most of the European elms along our streets
were completely defoliated in earl\- summer. The second growth of foliage
was seriously injured the same year and some trees had their third set of
leaves attacked. It was estimated in 1898 that fully 1000 elms had been
killeil within the city limits by this pernicious insect and many more would

INSECTS AFFECTIXG PARK AND WOODLAND TREES

149

have suffered a similar fate hatl it not lieeii for the systematic spraying
undertaken then and since continued. See phites 35, 36, and ^j for rep-
resentations of the injur}' caused 1)\' this pest.

The record of this inse-ct in Tro)- has been even worst; than in Albany.
It probaljly made its way to that city about the sanu; time that it came
here, and up to uSq8 practically no eflort had Ijeen matli; to check its
ravages. .At that time probal)ly 1500 elms had been kilk'tl within the
corporate limits of Troy and since then many others have suffered a similar
fate, though not so many have died the last few years on account of the
large amount of spraying done in different parts of the cit\- for private
parties. Even now it is possible to go into sections of the city and see
within two or three blocks 50 to 100 or more dead elms. Thtjse are not
aged trees that would have died irrespecti\-e of attack by insc^cts, but are in
most cases elms which a few years ago were as thrifty and vigorous as an\--
one could desire.

The story of the cit)- ot Watervliet has been virtually that of Troy
except that less eftort has been made to check the pest ; also, as a large
proportion of the elms in Watervliet were of the American or wliite variety
on which the beetle does not thrive so readily, the destruction was not
quite so rapid. It hardly seems possible, however, that fewer than 1500
magnificent trees have been killed or practically ruined b\' this insect in
Watervliet.

Practically the same story has been repeated here and there in small
towns along the Hudson river valle\' wliere this pest has estaldished itself
in force ; and, unless the insect is checked on its advent into a village, this
is like!}' to !)(■ till- reciird wherevt;r it makes its wa\'.

Inaction means death to the elm. The defoliation of a tree in midsum-
mer is a serious injury since the leaves are breathing organs, and if tliis
occurs for successive \'ears, even once a season, the earl\' death of tin- elm
may be expected, and when it occurs two or e'.x-n three timers in a smnmer,
it is very easy to see that the danger to the tree is increased manifold.

Such is the record of the elm leaf beetle in this section. The time to

150 NEW VOKK STATE ML'SEUM

control this ])cst is not after it has l)ecomu enormously abundant in a citv or
villaj^e antl has seriously weakened or nearly destro\ed the majority of the
elms ; the work should be bej^un at the outset and the insect |jrevented from
establishing,'^ itself in lari^e numbcrrs in an\- uninfested citv or village in Xew
York. \ illage improvement societies and public spirited individuals inter-
ested in the welfare of a community where this beetle occurs would do well
to undertake at least an educational campaign against it.

Description. The skeletonized, brown appearance of the foliage of an
infested tree in midsummer is very striking and in the Hudson river valley
cities and villages this condition is (juite ajjt to be the work of this pest, but
in the western part of the State one or more species of canker worms
occasionally strip a few American elms nearly as completely and its work
should not lie confused with that of this imported elm insect.

The parent beetle may be recognized by the aid of the colored figures
I pi. <S, fig. 5, 6|. This insect is about ]^ inch long with the head, thorax
and margin of llie wing covers a reddish yellow. Tiie coal I)lack eyes and
median spot of the same color on the head are prominent. On the thora.x
there is a dorsal black spot of variable shape and a pair of lateral ovoid
ones. The median black line of the wing covers is separated from the
lateral stripes of the same color h\ greenish yellow. The wing covers or
elytra are minutely and irregularly punctured, bear a fine pubescence and at
the Ijase of each wing cover there is an elongated black spot in the middle
of the greenish yellow stripe. The markings are fairly constant in the beetle
but the color is quite variable during life and changes more or less after
death. Many ])eetles emerging from winter cpiarters have the consi)icuous
greenish yellow stripes of the wing covers nearly obliterated by black.
The antennae or feelers are golden yellow with more or less brownish mark-
ings. The legs are yellowish with the tii)iae and tarsi mark(-d with brown.
The under surface of the head and prothorax is yellowish, that of the meta-
thorax and abdomen black.

The orange yellow eggs are usually deposited in irregular rows side by
side, forming clusters of from 3 to 26 or more on the under surface of

IXSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOOni.AND TREES 151

the leaf. Each egg is somewhat fusiform, attached \ertically by its larger
end, with the free extremity tapering- to a paler, rounded point [pi. 8, fig. i,
n?]. Under a powerful lens, the eggshell is seen to be finely reticulated.

The recently hatched grub is alsout ■ '20 inch long, with the head, thoracic
shield, numerous tubercles, hairs and legs jet black. Tlu; skin is dark
yellow but the tubc;rclcs are so large and the hairs so i)rominent that the
prevailing color of the larva at this stage is nearly black. As the grub
increases in size and molts, the stiff black hairs Ix-come less cons|)icuous
and the yellow color more prominent [pi. 8, Ug. 2 \ till the last stage, which
is represented at figures 3, 7, j)late 8. The full grown larva is about j4
inch long, more flattened than in the earlier stages, with a broad yellowish
stripe dorsall)' and a narrower stripe of the sami; color on each side, the j'ellow
strioes being separated b)' broad dark bands thickly set with tubercles bear-
ing short, dark colored hairs. The dorsal yellow stri[)e is broken on each
side Ij)' a sul^dorsal row of dark tubercles, which increase in size posteriori)'.
The lateral yellow stripe includes a row of prominent tuljercles with dark
tips bearing short hairs of the same color. The under surface is \ellowish.

The pupa is a liright orange )'ellow, aliout i/^ inch long, and w'th a
\'er\' conve.x dorsal surface which bears transverse rows of stout, inconspicu-
ous hairs [pi. 8, fig. 4[

Life history. The transformations of this insect are so rapid that a
man must know what to expect or in fighting the pest he will accomplish
practically nothing, because a substance effective against the beetles or
grubs may not kill the pu]jae, and, after the larvae have begun to descend
the trees, may be of no \alue.

The winter is passed by the beetles in attics, sheds outhouses and in
other sheltered places. W'ith the advent of warm weather in the spring,
they emerge from their retreats and may be found on the walks during the
sunny portion of the day or upon the windows of houses trying to escape.
The last of April or early in May, with the appearance of the elm leaves, the
beetles fly into the trees and eat irregular holes in the foliage [pi. 37, fig. 2,
pi 8, fig. 9[ Some time is occupied in feeding before the deposition of

152

NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

eggs begin, a process wliich ma\' continue over four and possilily for five or
six weeks. These prolitic beetles consume a large amount of foliage during
this time, depositing clusters of three to 26 or more eggs every day or two.
Over half the total number of eggs may be laid within about 12 days at the
hight of the season, which in 1898 was from June 12 to June 23. One
female has been known to deposit 623 eggs and it is possible that under
more favorable conditions a-" e^en larger number might be produced.

The young grubs emerge from the eggs early in June, as a rule, or in
about five or six days after the eggs have been deposited, later in the season.
They soon begin to feed on the under surface of the leaves, producing the
familiar skeletonizing [pi. 8, tig. 7 and 8, and pi. t,j, fig. i], which is caused
by their eating the softer under part, leaving the upper epidermis and the
veins. The results of their feeding is so marked that it is easy to detect
the presence of the grubs by the semitransparent patches in the foliage,
w-hich latter soon dry and turn brown.

The grubs or larvae complete their growth in from 15 to 20 days in
summer (in cooler weather the time is extended), become restless, forsake
the leaves and descend the limbs and trunk to a great extent, seeking a
slight shelter under which to pupate. .Seven days are spent in this state in
warm July weather, while in September it is extended to 12 days and in
October to 24. The tlescent of the grubs of the first brood usually occurs
in Alban\- the last of June or early in July. Some were observed descend-
ing June 19 in 1896 and beetles of the second brood were to be found on
June 30. The oviposition of the second brood of beetles may begin by the
middle of July and from then till late in autumn it is possible to find all
stages of the insect in some part of Albany. The beetles of the second
brood are naturally attracted to fresh growths of foliage and consequently
more eggs are deposited on such trees, which are most frequently those
defoliated earlier in the season. Thus a tree is very apt to lose two sets of
leaves in a season and may possibly have its third set badl\ marred by this
pest. The second brood of grubs may complete their growth about the
middle of August, transforming to beetles the latter part of tiie month, and

INSECTS AFFECTINT. PARK AND WOODLAXD TREES I 53

if tliere Ijc an abundant suiJiily of fresh leaves a third generation may be
produced in considerable numbers. This last brood rarely cKtvelops on the
secontl or third set of leaves, but is more fre(|uently found on nearby trees
which liad not suffered much earlier in the season. It may i)e considered
the rule in All)any that a considerable second brood will appear with a
possible third veneration in smaller numbers. This beetle attacks European
elms by preference, though frecjuently it is very destructive to American
elms.

Natural checks. Man\' ha\'e thought that in the course of a icw years
some natural a^ent miL;'ht reduce this grievous pest to comparatively harm-
less numbers. This can hardly be expected for some time, at least, b(-cause
the beetle is still very injurious at Washington 1). C, where it has been for
many years, and the same is true of other localities. Man\' of the beetles
are killetl while hilling in damp jjlaces b\' a fungus, .S p o r o t r i c h u m
entomophilum Peck. The toad must devour large numbers of the
beetles if the following record be its normal habit. Pupils under the direc-
tion of Miss Clara Russell of the State Normal College, .\ll)an_\- X. Y.,
observed one toad eat 50 elm leaf beetles within an hour. Though we have
seen nothing of the kind in this vicinity, one gentleman affirms most posi-
tively that the English sparrow feeds on the elm leaf beetle larvae, having
repeatedly observed it picking them off the trunks of the trees. If the
sparrow has this habit, it offsets to a certain extent its many bad traits.

Se\"eral insects are known to prey on this jjest, its pu[)a or its lar\'a.
Three beetles. Plat \' n u s p u n c t i f o r m i s Sa)-, O u e d i u s m o 1 t) c h i-
n u s Grav. and C h a u 1 i o g n a thus m a r g i n a t u s P'abr., feed on this
species as recorded b\- Rile)\ Ally, Cyrtoneura stabulans Eall.,
destroys many pupae in Washington. In this latitude the half grown nymph
of P o d i s u s s p i n o s u s Dallas has been observed with an elm leaf beetle
grub on its extended beak, and it probably prej's extensivel\- on the larvae,
since in Washington all stages are known to attack it. Unfortunately this
beneficial species is not abundant, though it is to be hoped that the large
food su])ph-will lead to an mcrease in its number A small capsid. Camp-

'5-

NEW YORK STATE ML'SEUM

t (J b r f) c li i :? t,rrandis Ulilcr, sucks the cyj^^s. Larvae of lacewin*^'^ iTies,
also called aphis lions, are frequently found on leaves with the young of the
elm leaf beetle, and are reported by Riley to feed on both eggs and larvae.
Mites have been observed l)y the writer near egg clusters that had suffered
injury. This insect finds an enemy in the southern portion of its range in
tin- ])raying mantis, .S t a g m o m a n t i s Carolina Linn. It is very prob-
able that the European praying mantis. Mantis r e 1 i g i o s a Linn., recently
established in a number of localities in the state through the efforts of the
writer, will also prey on this injurious beetle.

Remedial measures. The secret of controlling an insect frequently lies
in a knowledge of some vulnerable place in its life history. It is practically
imi)Ossible to get at the insect while it is hibernating but, if the leaves are
thoroughly sprayed with an arsenical poison earl\- in the spring when the
beetles begin to feed, many of them will be poisoned. The disinclination
of this insect to fly a great distance is encouraging to the man who protects
his own trees, since it reduces the liability of their ll\ing from neglected
trees near at hand. The local spread of this beetle is slow and the most
should be made of it by keeping the pest in clieck wherever it occurs, even
though the infestation be a small one ami ihi' injury at the time of little
importance. It is a mistake on the part of local authorities to wait till the
creature becomes destructive. It should ])e fought at the very beginning,
even before it has secured a fair foothold in a locality.

The grubs feed almost e.xclusively on the under surface of the leaf,
rarely occurring on its upper side. The attack usually begins on the upper,
more tender leaves, hence the tops of the trees need spraying most, and in
order to kill the grubs the poison must be thrown on the underside of the
leaves, and, as a rule, this tr(;atment will be found most satisfactory. The
full crown larvae crawl down the trunks in great numbers and the golden
)ellow pupae may be found in abundance in crevices in the bark and on the
"•round about the trees. Large numbers of these insects can be killed at
this time by spraying them with a contact insecticitle such as kerosene
emulsion, whale oil soap solution or liy pouring boiling water on them.

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AM) WOODLAND TREES 155

These palliative measures are advisable only when others can not be carried
out, and in order to secure the best result the grubs and pupae should be
destroyed every five days so lonij as the pests are seen in numbers. Hands
of tar, stick)- tly paper, cotton battiui;", etc., while the\- do no harm, can not
be considered as of much value in kecpino; the elm leaf beetle under control.
The relatively few grubs caught on a sticky l)and are but a drop in the
bucket compared with the mass which complete their transformations. It
is worse than useless to attempt to control this or any other insect by
boring a hole in the trunk of a tree and inserting therein a compound of
any nature. The tree is weakened and unless the chemical be powerful
enough to kill the tree, the insects ar(- not affected.

Bibliography
18S9 Lintner, J. A. Ins. N. V. 5th Rep't, p. 234-42
'^95 I"^- ^'- ^' • ''t'l I^i'I'i, \>- 1S9-96

1895 Howard, L. O. V. S. Dep't A;j,rii\ Year IJook, p. 36.5-68

1896 Lintner, J. A. Ins. N. Y. 12th Rep't, p. 253-64

1898 Felt, E. P. N. Y. State .Mus. P.ul. 20, p. 1-43

1899 N". Y. State Agric. Soc. Trans. 59: 279

1899 Fish. Game and For. Com. 5th Rep't, p. 354-59

1902 N. Y. State Mus. Bui, 57, p. 1-43

Elm saw fly

Ciiiibcx aiiicn'caiia Leach

A cylindric, coiled, yellowish wliite worm with a black line down the middle of its
back, may be met witli in midsummer on willows, cbns, poplars and other trees.

This species is a rather common one in New York .State antl is usually
met with in mon- or less numbers each year. It occurs with us mostly on
the willow and elm and is sometimes present in considerable numbers in
limited localities. It is not injurious as a rule in N('W York .State, though
it might become so under unusually favorable conditions.

Early history. This species has been noticed in a more or less frag-
mentary way by a mmiber of entomologists. Dr C. V. Riley in 1885,
recorded a peculiar injury by this pest at Washington D. C. Admiral

156 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

AmniL'ii called his attention to the work of the aLlult tly. The tops in a
plantation of imported willows looked as if fire had run over it and on
investigation it was found that the mischief was due to their being gnawed
by the perfect iK', which made deep transverse incisions just below the dead
portion of the willow. The cut often extended more than half way around
the twig or else there were a number of smaller incisions one after the other.

Professor Rruner writing of this species in 1888, states that this species
sometimes defoliates white willows growing as hedges in Nebraska, and
that it also infests the different native willows growing along the small
streams back from the timljcr bells bordering the larger water courses. He
adds that from upwards of 400 pupae collected he failed to rear a single
parasite. The cutting habit observed by Admiral Ammen was brought to
the attention of Prof. V. M. W'elister in June i8Sg by a gentleman
residing in Nebraska. He states that thousands of the adult sawflies were
to be found llying among the tops of the largest trees, and adds that the
insects cut a rough gash with their jaws almost completely around the limb,
seeming to kill the outer bark as far as they go. Mr PI. I). Pall observed
this same injury in Nebraska, ami states that in his experience the slits
alwa\s heal over and that the principal injury is caused 1)\- the feeding of
the larvae.

Life history. 1 )r RilL\- states that the eggs of this species are depos-
ited between the epidermis and i)arenchynia of the leaf and tiiat when the
plant is examined from above, the place of oviposition is hardly perceptible,
it appearing as a very slight blisterlike swelling and accompanied on one
side by a faint ferruginous line. These blisters are very ])lainly seen on
the under surface of the leaf since they are much paler than the rest of the
surface, and in an advanced condition show a reddish tinge. He states
that they are always on the face of the leaf, usually nearer to the outer
margin than to the midrib, never on or near the midrib and rarely extend-
ing across one of the lateral veins. They ma\- vary from one to nine or
more on a single leaf He states that the )oung larva after hatching
remains for some time williin the blister and fmall)' leaves it tlirough an

INSECTS AFFECTIXG PARK AND WOODLAND TREES It;;

irregular slit at the middle of the epidermis and is at that time a bluish-
gray color. The recenth" hatched larvae are u iii formal 1)- cm-led up on the
underside of the leaf. The sawtlies become full grown in .\ew York State
during the latter part of July or in August, at which time they forsake the
leaves and spin a tough, coarse silken cocoon among the debris at the base
of the tree or just below the surface of the ground. The insects remain
unchanged in this shelter till spring when they pupate and the perfect fly
appears in Alay.

Description. The egg when about to hatch has been described l)y Dr
Riley as oblong oval, somewhat flattened, and with a shell so thin and
pliable that it not only loses its regular shajje with the slightest pressure,
but even by a slight movement of the embryo larva within. The shell is
perfectly clear and with no visible sculpture, except some fine, irregular
wrinkles and its surface is very sticky. At an earlier stage the egg is
elongate, nearly cyli.ndric. The larva when full grown is about i^ inch
long, of a pale yellow color, with I>lack eyes, a glaucous green body and
a black stripe along the middle of the back. The head is large, rounded
and is as wide as the body. The legs are pale whitish green and there are
8 pairs of prolegs. The abdomen is rolled up like a helix when the insect
is at rest and the segments are finely wrinkled and the ridges bear small
flattened w-arts [pi. i6, fig. 4].

The adult sawfly has a shining black head and thorax anil her oval
body is of a steel blue or deep violet color, with 3 or 4 elongate oval yel-
lowish white spots on each side, which, in some specimens are much larger
than in others, and uniting within form continuous bands across the upper
side of the bod)'. The antennae are short, knoljbed, buff color, except the
basal segments which are dusky. The wings are semitransjiarent and smoky
brown in color. The legs are bluish black with yellowish tarsi [pi. 16, fig. 5].
The male may be recognized by his more slender, longer botl)-.

Food plants. This species occurs more commonly on the willow and
elm in New York State. It has also been recorded on poplar by Dr
Lugger, and on alder by Dr Packard, who found it on that bush at Bruns-

158 XEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

wick Mr. I )r [. A. Lintner states that he has received this species on
maple from Camden ^'. J., and l)r J. 15. .Smith adds linden to this list,
thouj^h he states that the species usually occurs in Xew Jersey on willow.

Parasites. This lari^c species has a number of natural enemies in the
Western States at least, though they appear to be somewhat scarce in the
East. Messrs Orcutt and Aldrich record rearing the following parasites
from this insect : O p h e 1 t e s g 1 a u c o p t e r u s Linn., which they state to
be by far the most important parasite since it destroyetl a large lot of the
sawtlies under observation. Eight or 10 examples of C r y p t u s n u n c i u s
Say were found in one cocoon by these gentlemen and about 20 specimens
of L i m n I- r i a f e r r u g i n e i [) e s Aslim., were obtained from smaller
cocoons inside those of Cimbex. M e s o c h o r u s m e 1 1 e u s Cress, was
reared in small numbers from a cocoon from Egan .S. D., and two specimens
of S a r c o \) h a g a c i m !> i c i s Towns, were bred from this sawlly Three
small flies, Phora cimbicis Aid., P. m i n u t a Aid., and P. set ace a
Aid., were also obtained from cocoons, but these small Oies in all probability
are not parasites and live on decaying vegetable mattc-r.

Remedial measures. This species can easily be controlled by arsenical
poisons wherever the\- can be employed to advantage. Professor Bruner
also advises hand picking, since the large size of the larvae anil their habit'
of dropping at the least disturbance would prove of advantage. It is not
at all imposs-ible that in cases where they were excessively abundant, it
might pay to destroy the cocoon collected at the base of the trees.

Bibliography
1885 Riley, C. V. L'. .S. Dcp'i Agii> . Rcp'i 1SS4. p. 334-36
1890 Packard, A. S. U. S. Ent. Com. 5th Rep t, p. 237, 474, 5S4-87, 633

Spiny elm caterpillar
Jiiivancssa aiitiopa Linn.
Large blac k red marked spiny caterjiillars about 2 inches long may be frequently seen
in June defoliating the terminal brandies of elm, willow, jioplar and several other trees.

The depredations of this insect attract considerable attention from time
to time. It is common in the butterfly form, though its connection with the

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES I 59

spined, black, red spotted caterpillars may not be known to many. This
insect was present in great numbers in various sections of the State in 1899
when its depredations on elms led to considerable complaint. It not onl\-
feeds on elms but occasionally it is so abundant as to literally strip acres of

poplars.

Description. The parent insect is a magnificent dark maroon Ijuttertly
Avith blue spotted, black and yellow bordered wings which liave an expanse
of about 3 inches [.wr pi. 10, fig. i i J. The under surface of the wings
presents a striking contrast, being a dark bluish black and brown intermixed
with some yellowish gray. ' The yellow border of the upper surface is rep-
resented by a brown specked gray with a little dull yc-llow. The color of
the under surface of the wings is somewhat varial)le Init it is remarkable for
its protective value. The butterfly with its closed wings freciuently appears
much like a scale of loosened moss or a bit of brownish or black vegetable
matter. The yellowish eight or nine ribbed eggs which so.mi turn reddish
and finally black just before hatching are deposited in a band or a nearly
complete one around a twig, as shown at figure 7 on plate 10, one egg much
enlarged being represented at figure 8.' This shows not only the larger
ribs but the transverse markings between them. The dot bedside the egg
represents its natural size. The recently hatched caterpillars are brown,
black and hairy and as they increase in size the other characteristics shown
at figure 9 on plate 10 become more apparent. The full grown caterpillar is
about 2 inches long, black and a.med with numerous short branched spines.
Along the back there is a row of somewhat diamond shaped red spots and
closed examination shows the caterpillar to be marked with transverse rows
of minute white spots. The abdominal prologs are reddish. The chr>salis
is a peculiar, angular looking structure which is variable in color and m
nature it usually harmonizes pretty closely with surrounding objects. It is
represented at figure 10 on plate 10.

Life history. Strange though it may seem, this apparently delicate
butterfly successfully withstands the rigors of our northern winters with no
better shelter than that afforded by a crevice among stones, a sheltering

l60 NEW YOUK STATE MUSEUM

board, a cavity in a tree or a similar place. It is one of the first butterflies
to come f( rth in the spring, frequently appearing before the snow has
entirely tlisappeared and occasionally it may be seen during unusually warm
wcatiier in midwinter The over-wintered individuals are said to pair
about the middle of April but eggs are not laid till the first half of May.
The deposition of the eggs has been observed a number of times. They
are placetl in somewhat alternating rows, the female recjuiring about 40
minutes to deposit 300 eggs, and as many as 450 have been recorded for
one cluster. The eggs require 12 to 15 days for hatching in the spring and
in midsummer but nine. The caterpillars are gregarious and when young
range themselves side by side with great regularity. They are more
frequently found near the top of a tree and as they increase in size, defoli-
ated branches usually give the first indication of their presence. The cater-
pillars are often found on a near-l)y partly stripped liml) which frequently
bends under their weight. Their habit of feeding close together makes
their injuries more apparent than would otherwise be the case. The cater-
oillars of the first brood attain their growth in New York State the latter
part of June or early July and butterflies from them may be seen oviposit-
ing (.luring July. The deposition of eggs was observed at Alban\- July 17
and nearly grown larvae were taken the latter part of August. Caterpillars
of this insect are much more abundant in June than later, and those
observed in August and September must be considered representatives of a
second brood. There is possil)ly a third generation some years. The
relative scarcity of the caterpillars later in the season may probably be
explained by the increasing abundance of their natural enemies and it is by
no means impossible that some butterflies of the first brood may hibernate
over winter as suggested by Professor Weed.

Common names. I'his butterfly has received a number of common
names. One widely adopted and perhaps best known in this countr) is the
mourning cloak, a translation of the German Trauermantel. It has also
passed imder the names of antiopa butterfly and willow butterfly to a con-
sitlerable e.xtent, and the English designations of Camberwell beauty and

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES l6l

Grand Surprise are worthy of mention. The injurious caterpillar could
easily be designated as the larva of the mourning cloak or whatever com-
mon name is preferred, but it is simpler for a person interested only in the
practical side of the subject to use a special name for the caterpillar and
therefore, following Dr C. M. Weed, we have employed the designation of
spiny elm caterpillar for this destructive larva.

Food plants. This insect is more frequently brought to notice on
account of its depredations on the white or American elm, though it is also
very injurious to willows and poplars but the small value of the latter two
renders the damage of less importance. The caterpillars are also recorded
as feeding on the hackberry, C e 1 1 i s o c c i d e n t a 1 i s, and the butterfly
has been observed depositing its eggs on white and canoe birch.

Distribution. Mr Scudder in his work. The Duttcrjlics of N^cw England,
writes that this insect " is apparently distributed over the entire breadth of
the northern hemisphere below the Arctic circle as far as the thirtieth
parallel of latitude." He further states that it is found in nearl_\' equal
abundance throughout New England and flies to but does not breed on the
highest summits of the White mountains.

Natural enemies. There are several insects which prey on this species.
A minute, four winged fly known as Telenomus graptae How.
■watches its opportunity to oviposit in the eggs of this butterfly. P t e r o-
malus fuscipes Prov., was reared in Albany last summer from this
insect. Three other Chalcids, Pteromalus vanessae How., P t e r o-
m a 1 u s p u p a r u m Linn, and PL n t e d o n a n t i o p a e Pack., all minute,
four winged flies, attack the caterpillars, the former two sometimes in
large numbers. Several ichneumon ilies are parasitic on this species in
Europe but no records of such rearings in America have been found. A
dipterous parasite, P3 u p h o r o c e r a c 1 a r i p c n n i s Macq,, has been reared
in this country from the caterpillars. A fierce ground beetle, C al o s o m a
scrutator Pabr., is another enemy. This beneficial species is com-
parativel)' rare however. Two predaceous bugs. Pod is us placidus
Uhler and P. serieventris Uhler, prey on the caterpillars as recorded

1 62 NEW YORK STATE MUSELM

by Mr Kirkland. The jcllow and black hilled cuckoos feed on the spiny
caterpillars.

Remedies. The ^^reL^arious hai)it of tin; caterpillars may be taken
advantage of by cutting off the branch on which they are clustered and then
they may be killed by crushing. They may be dislodged by shaking,
jarring with a padded mallet or by use of a torch and then crushed on the
ground. This species can also be controlled by spraying with an arsenical
poison and when the caterpillars are very abundant, this will probably be
the most satisfactory way of checking the insect.

Bibliography
1890 Felt, E. P. Fisli. (;.ime and For. ('(Hii. stli Reij't, p. 368-71
lSo(; Weed, C. M. X. II. .Agric. Exp. Sta. Hill. 67, p. 125-41

Elm leaf miner

Kaliosypliinga ithi/i Sund.
Circular, soiiie\vh;it irregular mines occur in considerable nund)ers in the leaves of
European and American elms.

This leaf miner was e.xcecdingly abundant in Albany and vicinity on
European and American elms from 1895 to 1900. The larvae make very
irregular blotched mines, which are frequently fused together so that several
occur in a mine, and occasionally so much of the parenchyma is eaten out,
that from one half to two thirds or even three fourths of the leaf is destroyed.
This is particularly true of Canii)erd<)wn elms, which are more liabU' to
attack than other species, ami in several instances observed, over 90'/ of the
leaves were very badly infested. The -vork of this leaf miner is more
apparent the latter part of the summer because the drying of the tissues
makes the old mines very conspicuous. The attack was first observed on
European elms and later it spread to American elms. This species, as
stated by Cameron, mines the leaves of the Scotch and English elms, several
larvae living in the same leaf. It is said that there is but one brood in
England, where it is very common. The species is also recorded by Cam-
eron from Scotland, Sweden, dermanv, France and I^ussia.

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODI-AND TREES

I 6.^,

Description. Cameron describes the larva as white, with a pale brown
head, darker at the sides ; mouth reddish brown. Legs encircled with
brown. Beneath on the second segment there is a black, oblong plate some-
times with a clot on either side. There is a small, black central dot on each
of the following segments, though they are often absent on the posterior
one. Length when full grown, 5 lines. The adult has been described by
Cameron as follows :

Black, shining. Antennae short, stout,
covered with a stiff pile ; two first joints
together equal in length to the third, which is
twice longer than the fourth, the remaining
joints to the eighth shorter, the ninth joint
conical, longer than the preceding. Head a
little narrower than the thorax, scarcely pubes-
cent, shining, smooth, sutures moderately dis-
tinct ; labrum and mandibles piceous ; palpi
dark testaceous. Thorax shining, smooth,
glabrous ; tegulae black. Abdomen short, coni-
cal, thick, smooth, semitruncated at the apex ;
blotch large, sheaths of saw exserted. Legs :
femora, coxae and trochanters black ; apical
half of the two anterior femora, knees, tibiae
and tarsi, dark testaceous. Wings faintly
smoky; first radial cellule a little smaller than
the second, second cubital cellule more than
double the width of the base at the apex, angled
where it receives the recurrent nervure. Male
similar, but with thicker and longer antennae,
the joints from the fourth being perceptibly
thicker than the basal ones. Length i i / lines.

Bibliography
1898 Felt, E. P. State Ent. 14th RL-p't. p. 257

Brown tail moth
Eiiproclis ckrysorrlioca Linn.
Small web tents oti the tips of trees in tnidwinter very likely belong to this species,
particularly if small caterpillars are found within.

This species does not at present occur in New York State, but it is
only a question of time before it will become established within our borders,

164 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

since it is spreading rajjitU)' in the adjaqjnt commonwealth of Massachu-
setts. It is a serious enemy of fruit trees such as pear, apple, plum and
cherry and promises to be a dangerous forest and shade tree pest, since
it thrives on oak, maple and elm in the order named, stripping many trees
in infested sections. Not only is this species injurious because of its defo-
liating trees whenever abundant, but it is also very annoying to man, since
the hairs of the caterpillar are exceedingly irritating. This is so marked
that serious illness has resulted from persons being in the immediate
vicinity of large numbers of cocoons ; particularly is this likely to occur in
the case of those in delicate health.

Description. The male moths have a wing spread of about i \/^ inches,
are pure white with a satiny luster on the fore wings and have a conspicuous
reddish brown tuft at the tip of the abdomen. Sometimes there are a few
black spots on the fore wings. The antennae are white and fringed with
pale yellowish hairs.

The females have a wing spread of about \i^ inches, are the same
color as the males, except that they have no black spots on the wings, and
the anal tuft is larger and lighter in color, while the antennae are shorter
and with shorter fringes.

The eggs, laid during July in masses composed of 200 to 300, are placed
usually on the underside of the leaves, where they are covered with brown
hairs from the tip of the abdomen. They hatch in a short time, ami the
young feed during the rest of the season on the surface of the leaves, a few
days only being reipiired to skeletonize them. The caterpillars begin to
make a nest in wliich they hibernate while still young. It is constructed on
the twigs and is made by drawing together a few leaves, lining them with
silk, and inclosing them with a mass of silken threads. These tents are so
firmly secured to the twigs that they can be removed only with considerable
force.

The young caterpillars emerge from ihcir winter retreats before the
leaves begin to appear, often attack swelling buds and complete their
growth in the early part of June, when they transform to pupae. The full

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 1 65

grown caterpillars range from i inch to i i| inches in length. The pale
brown head is mottled with dark brown and has reddish brown hairs
scattered over its surface. The body is dark brown or black with numerous
fine, dull orange or gray spots over the surface, which are most pronounced
on the second, third and fourth segments. Long reddish brown, finely
barbed hairs arise from all the tubercles, and white branching hairs from
the upper side of the latter tubercles on segments 4 to i 2 inclusive. These
white hairs form elongated white spots along each side and are (Hie of the
most striking characteristics of this caterpillar. The subdorsal and lateral
tubercles on segments 4 to i 2 inclusive are covered with tine, short spines
of uniform length. There is a bright red retractile tubercle on the top of
the loth, and also one on the i ith segment.

The pupae are -;4 inch in length, dark brown in color and with fine,
yellowish brown hairs scattered over the surface.

Life history. The winter, as previously stated, is passed by the partly
grown caterpillars in conspicuous webs on terminal twigs. They begin
work in the spring, feeding downward from the tip of the branches, leax'ing
the naked twigs and the gray tents at their extremities, conspicuous evi-
dence of their presence. The entire leaf, except the midrib, is devoured,
except that in those like the sycamore maple, all the larger ribs are
untouched. The caterpillars when numerous may devour not only buds,
leaves and blossoms, but even green fruit. riuy are gregarious till nearly
full grown, when they disperse to some extent, and this spreading is more
marked when the fooil supply on a tree becomes exhausted. Several cater-
pillars frequently pupate in a common cocoon within the leaves at the tip
of the branches, and sometimes in masses under fences, clapboards or on
the trunks and larger branches of trees. The webs of the brown tail moth
may be easily distinguished from those of the tent cater])illar or the fall
web worm. The tent caterpillar makes its webs in the forks of the branches,
whereas those of the brown tail moth occur at the tijjs. The fall web
worm rarely occurs on pear, which is a favorite food plant of the brown tail
moth, and the former usualh' makes a much larger, more open web than

l66 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

that of tlic brown tail moth. Morc^over, it is never firmly attached to the
twigs by bands of silk as is the case with this species [pi. 44, tij^r. -|

Natural enemies. A number of parasites have been bred from the
])Lipae in this country. Professor l-'ernald records the rearing of Phaeo-
genes he be Cress., Diglochis omnivora Walk., !•! u ]) h o r o c e r a
cl a r i p e n n i s Macq. and a large number of unnamed dipterous parasites.
He states that the work of Diglochis is specially valuable and worthy of
commendation, lie also records the destruction of the caterpillars bv a
soldier bug, Podisus serieventris U hi. and states that the Baltimore
oriole, black-billed cuckoo, crow, bluebird and English sparrow have also
been observt'd feeding on these insects, and quotes Mr Kirkland to the
effect that the; birds eat not only the moths, but their young, adding that it
was no uncommon sight at .Somerville to see flocks of 20 or more sparrows
collect the moths from a ])icket fence. In addition to the above mentioned
birds, Mr E. H. P'orbush has recorded the robin, bluejay, black and white
warbler, the rose-breasted grosbeak, the chestnut-sided warbler, the scarlet
tanager, redstart, chickadees, red-eyed vireo, the yellow-throated vireo and
the male indigo bird as feeding on the caterpillars. The records given by
Mr P'orbush include the number of larvae eaten by each bird and the time
occupied. None ate less than 9, and one as many as 57 caterpillars, the
latter operation occupying 20 minutes. These observations show that our
native liirds will undoubtedly prove very efficient aids in checking this
pest. Professor Eernald has also recorded bats as feeding on the moths
at night, and he states thai loads devour the caterpillars during the early
summer and th(' moths later in the season.

Remedial measures. 1 he cons|)icuous hiljernating nests are easily
detected, particularly in early spring, antl can then he cut off and burned.
The species is also ver\' amenable to spra\'ing with arsenical j)oisons.

Bibliography

1902 Felt, E. P. Stale i;iu. iSth Rtp'i. .\. V. State Mus. Bui. 64, p. 94-99

1903 Fernald, C. H. & Kirkland, A. H. 'llie Hrown Tail Moth. .Mass. State Bd

-Agric. p. 1-73

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 167

European elm case bearer

Colcophora liniosipcnnclla Dup.
Curious brown, somewhat flattened cases oectirring in consideraljle numbers during
June and July on mined Iea\es of English and Scotch elms, probably belong to this insect.

The writer's attention was called to the presence of this species in 1901,
by Mr li. T. Schoonniaker of Cedar Hill, who submitted specimens of the
insect from the vicinity of New York city. The statement was made that
the pest was so abundant as to be quite injurious to English and .Scotch
elms, and samples of the work corroborated the statement. Its depreda-
tions were also brought to oin- notice again in July 1902. Accompanying
the latter sending were very badly mined leaves, and apparently this Euro-
pean species is capable of causing a great deal of iniur\'. Bred examples
appeared July 26, 1901, and were submitted to Dr Howard for identification.
A reply was received stating that it has been determined by INIr Busck, who
adds that it is in all probability a recent importation. It appears to have
become established in the vicinity of Brooklyn, it occurs at Oyster Bay,
and may make its way to other places in the State and prove a pest
of considerable economic importance.

Description. This species may perhaps be most easily recognized by
its work as shown in plate 34, figure i. It will be observed that the larvae
feed like other known species of this genus, by eating a circidar hole
through the epidermis and then mining or eating away all the delicate tis-
sues within reach. The mined portions are evidently limited by the larger
veins of the leaf and consequently the brownish blotches are more or less
rectangular in shape. The holes through which the; larvae do their feed-
ing, are well shown in an enlarged representation of their work, plate 34,
figure 2. The case of this little insect is about .> s inch in l<;ngth, with a
slight crook at the head end and with the posterior extremity somewhat
flattened and of a lighter brown color. The caterpillar has a light brown
head, a dark lirown, wi-11 dc-x'cloped thoracic shield and with a heaxih' chit-
inized area on the dorsum of the second thoracic seoinent. The dorsal sur-

1 68 NEW YOKK STATE MTSEUM

face of the last abdominal segment is protected by a dark brown, heavily
chitinized, subtriangular plate.

The delicate buff colored and gray marked moth has a wing spread of
nearly ; , inch. Tlie fore wings have a nearly white costal border and are
tipped with dark buff. Both pairs are beautifully margined with long, hair-
like scales. The antennae are setaceous, white, ringed with brown. The
normal resting position of this moth is with the wings slighth" diverging and
sloping a little from the median line, the antennae being appressed and
extended forward in a straight line.

Remedial measures. 1 his species, like tlie more common cigar case
bearers on our fruit trees, should be easily controlled by early spraying with
an arsenical poison, making the application at the time the leaves begin
to start.

Maple trumpet skeletonizer
Thiodia sigiiata)ia Clem.

Red maple leaves folded in August or September, containing a long, tapering,
blackish trumpetlilce tube, with the adjacent tissues of the underside skeletonized, are
very characteristic of this insect.

This species is one whicli has attracted comparatively little attention
in economic literature, though it seems to be a rather common form on the
red, and to a much smaller extent, on the sugar maples of Nassau X. \'.
It was also abumlant on ma])lcs at Onteora X. Y. in 1904. This form is
probably overlooked as a rule because it appears on the trees so late that
the injury is very slight, even though the caterpillars be abundant. The
work of this insect is very characteristic. The larger leaves are invariably
folded to form an irregular, loose retreat with the under surface, on which
the caterpillar feeds, inside. The folded, partly skeletonized leaves can be
detected at a considerable distance, and on o|)ening them there is a
conspicuous tapering, frequently crooked larval tube sometimes nearly
2 inches in length. This structure is composed of web with excrement on
the outside, and increases in size with the develo])ment of the caterpillar.

Description. The nearlv full grown caterpillar is about '2 inch in

IXSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES

i6g

length, head yellowish and body a variable liL,dit green. The mouth parts

are distinctly brown, the mandibles being tridentate with their apices dark

brown ; e)es black. Body tubercles very much flattened, semitransparent,

two subdorsal and a lateral one upon each

abdominal segment, each bearing a slender,

nearly colorless hair. Tips of true legs dark

brown, well developed prolegs on the third

to sixth and loth abdominal segments. The

tube of this larva was first described by

Clemens under the name ofCastastega

aceriella. It was later referred by Dr

Dyar to Clemens's species originally named

H e cl y a s i g n a t a n a . Clemens's descrip- ^'

tion of the adult follows :

Fore wings white, marked with dark ,
brown. The basal patch is distinct, dark
brown and consists of three or four angu-
lated lines, the exterior being the broadest.
The dorsal patch is white, extended to the
costa, contracted in the middle of the wing
and is traversed by a few broken, indistinct,
brownish lines. The central fascia is dark
brown, rather indistinct, and contains three
black dashes opposite the ocelloid patch, Fig
which is white and rather Indistinct. The tana i.. m..pieie

costa is marked with dark brown streaks and near the tip are three or
four geminated white spots, the dark brown streak which separates the
two nearest the tip of the wing is extended along the hinder margin to
the ocelloid patch. At the extreme tip is a black semicircle in the cilia,
upon a dark brown ground. Hind wings dark fuscous.

Remedial measures. Arsenical poisons applied to the underside of the
leaves should check this species readily.

170 NEW YORK STATK MUSEUM

Larch case bearer

ColcopJiora laricella Iliibn.

Tips of larch needles sometimes turn yellow or brown, and on investigation it is
found that the interior has been eaten away by a small, brown, black headed worm.

This insect is a European species, and its presence in tliis country
was first recorded b\ I)r iiamn, in i886.' Specimens were sent him by
Mr Henry Watson of Xorlhamplon Islass., who stated that it caused
considerable injur\' to a number of hux-hes about 30 years old. This insect
has been known in this country for a number of years; possibly earlier than
the above date, according to Mr J. (i. Jack who, writing in 1896,'' staled that
the insect had been known for a good many years at the Arnold arboretum.
This species does not appear to multiply very rapidly in this countr\-, and
though present in these two places, and probably others, for several years,
has not caused damage enough to arouse ajiprehension. It is not men-
tioned in our economic literature, and while we have observed the species
for some years on larches at Albany, it has ne\er intlicted much damage.

Life history. The delicate gray moths occur in Junt: or Jul)-, and
according to Stainlon, the recentl\- hatched larva which appears in the
autumn doubtless conttmts itself with mining in a leaf, but as soon as the
mine is big enough to form a case, it cuts oil a portion and jiroceeds with
this protection, to an adjoining leaf. The case- is at first whitish l)ut gradu-
ally becomes gray, and the cali-r])illar renders it less transparent b\' lining it
with silk. The method of feeiling is similar to that of our native species,
and the lar\a when attacking a needle, first cuts a circular hole through
which its head, and later its body may exttmd into the interior. Its case is
attached to the edge of the orifice in the needle and the mine, as well as
the evidence of various observers, shows that it rarely gets far from its
domicile, evidently preferring the shelter of its silk-lined case to the protec-
tion afforded by a mined leaf. The larvae retire to the large stems on the
approach of winter and hibernate, becoming active again in early spring

'Can. Ent. 18:125-26
'Garden and Forest, 9: 269

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES I71

and continue their feeding. Stainton observes that at tliis time tiie
previously formed case is too small, and as the diameter of the larch \v3.(
is limited, the larva is forced to slit down its old case and add thereto a
piece of mined leaf, thus affording- necessary space. He also states that
there is but a single generation, and this accords with our observations.

Description. Tiie adult insect can be recognized by reference to plate
18, figure 9. It will be seen that it is a modest, gray moth with no very
distinctive markings.

The caterpillar is brown with the head, thoracic shield, small spots on
the dorsum and the anal plate black [pi. i8, fig. 7]. The characteristic
appearance of a mined leaf, illustrating also the hole through which tlie
larva feeds, is shown at plate 18, figure 5.

The case resembles somewhat that of our cigar case bearer, C o 1 e o-
p h o r a f 1 e t c h e r e 1 1 a Fern., being straight and nearly cylindric, though
close observation will disclose the ridges caused by the edges of the leaves
used in its construction. It is usually a light grayish color with the head
end obliquely truncate.

Distribution. This species is widely distributed, according to Stainton,
who lists it from a number of English and Scottish localities, and states that
it occurs throughout Germany and has been observed in P'inland, Switzer-
land and France. Professor Meyrick states that the larch is not indigenous
to Great Britain, and that this insect must have been introduced with its
food plant.

Remedial measures. The larch being frequently used as an ornamental
tree, is sometimes quite valuable, and wherever this miner becomes abnor-
mall\- abundant, it can probalily be controlled by thorough spraying in
early spring with an arsenical poison. This has been found very effective
in the case of allied case bearers affecting fruit trees. We suggest that
arsenate of lead be used, and that the application be made as soon as the
young leaves begin to appear, so as to poison the over-wintering caterpillars
before much feeding occurs. Otherwise, it will be almost impossible to
destroy the insects, since they do so much of their feeding within the leaf.

NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

DKSTKl'CTIVK .SIX'KINO INSECTS

Tile work of sucking insects is easily distinguished from that of other
classes because in no case is tissue removed. Their operations are usually
followed by shrinking, discoloration, and decay.

Key to destructive sucking insects

Small, many with liinilol locomotive powers

Leaves, species found on foliage only

Yellowish green, brown marked aphids or plant lice occurring in clusters on the

underside of Norway maple C h a i t o p h o r u s a c e r i s, p. 174

A pretty winged, red eyed, black and white marked jjlant louse, together with pale
yellowish, wingless young, may be found on the under surface of soft maple leaves,
specially on those near the tips

Painted maple aphid, I) r e p a n o s i p h u m ac e r i f o 1 i i, p. 175
A slight, inconspicuous plant louse on the underside of American elm leaves

Elm leaf aphid, Ca 1 1 i p t e r u s u 1 m i f o 1 i i, p. 176
Curled and gnarled leaves of white elm in June, with whitish pellets of honeydew
dro])ping from the tree

Woolly elm leaf a]ihid, Schizoneura a m e r i c a n a, p. 177
Sugar maple leaves bearing numerous cottony masses protruding from under brownish

scales Maple leaf scale, P u 1 v i n a r i a a c e r i c o I a, p. 179

Cottony white insects on the under surface of sugar maple leaves and masses on tb.e

trunk Maple Phenacoccus, Phenacoccus acericola, p. 182

American elm leaves deformed by a peculiar cockscomblike gall in June.

Cockscomb elm gall, C o 1 o p h a u 1 m i c o 1 a , p. 186
Snow white, woolly plant lice on larch needles in May and June

AVooIIy larch aphid, C h e r m e s s t r o b i I o b i u s, p. 1 87
Somewhat cone-shaped, many-celled galls at the base of young spruce shoots

Spruce gall aphid, Cher ni e s a b i e t i s, p. 189
Small, yellowish white, jumping insects about '/,o inch long occur in swarms during

midsummer, on rose leaves Rose leaf hopper, Typhlocyba r o s a e, p. 191

Bark, ajihids or plant lice and scale insects on limbs or trunk

Species with more or less flocculent matter
Clusters of white woolly substance on elms and trunks of white elm

Woolly elm bark aphid, Schizoneura r i 1 e y i, p. 192
Patches of flocculent, downy matter on the smooth bark of white pine

Pine bark aphid, Cher in e s p i n i c o r I i c i s, p. 192

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES I 73

Conspicuous cottonylike bunches hanging from the underside of alder stems

Alder blight aphid, Pemphigus t e s s e 1 1 a t u s, p. 195
Underside of smaller soft maple twigs festooned with cottony masses protruding from
under a brownish scale, occurs on maples, elms, grape etc

Cottony maple scale, P u 1 v i n a r i a i n n u m e r a b i 1 i s, p. 1 96

Species with no llocculent matter except when very young

Small, hemispheric, reddish, black marked scale insects on the underside of the
smaller limbs of hard and soft maples

Black-banded scale, E u 1 e c a n i u m n i g r o f a s c i a t u m, p. 200
Under surface of elm leaves thickly clustered in summer, with reddish, woolly-bor-
dered bark lice Elm bark louse, G o s s y p a r i a spuria, p. 203

American elms with whitish, irregularly oval scale insects on the bark

Elm scurfy scale, C h i o n a s p i s a m e r i c a n a, p. 207
Large, nearly hemispheric, brownish scale insects in clustered masses on the under

side of tulip limbs Tuliptree scale, E u 1 e c a n i u m t u li p i f e r a e, p. 208

Brownish, oyster shell-like scale insects exceedingly abundant on ash, balm of fiilead

and also many other trees Oyster scale, Lepidosaphes ulnii, p. 211

Dirty, blackish scale insects on Euonymus and Celastrus

Euonymus scale, C h i o n a s p i s e u o n y m i, \>. 213
Whitish, scurfy appearance on the trunk and limbs of Japanese quince and some other

trees and shrubs Scurfy scale, C h i o n a s p i s f u r f u r a, ]j. 214

Circular, grayish or yellowish scale insects verv abundant on Japanese quince and

some other trees San Jos^ scale, Aspidiotus perniciosus, p. 216

Circular or oval, dark gray or black scale insects about '/,2 inch in diameter and with
a dark red cast skin or exuviae to one side of the center, may be met with in small
numbers on various native trees

Putnam's scale, Aspidiotus a n c y 1 u s, ]>. 226
Scurfy, whitish, irregular scale on alder and Cornus. C h i o n a s p i s 1 i n t n e r i, p. 227
Irregular, whitish scale insect on roses, blackberries and raspberries

Rose scale, A u 1 a c a s p i s r o s a e, p. 228

Circular, snow-white scale on juniper Juniper scale, Diaspis c a r u e 1 i, j). 229

Elongated, whitish scale insect on needles of various pines

Pine leaf scale, Ch i o n as. p i s p i n i f o 1 i a e, p. 229

Large, freely moving species usually on trunks or limbs
A stout, large, black insect with membranous orange veined wings and red eyes

Periodical cicada, Tibicen septendecim, p. 231

174 ^'E^^' VORK STATE MUSEUM

A stout, large, greenish insect with greenish veined wings

Dog day cicada or harvest fly, T i b i c e n t i b i c e n, p. 237
A blackish, red marked bug occurring on box elder, western in range

Box elder plant bug, I, e p t o c o r i s t r i v i 1 1 a t u s, p. 239

Chaitophorus ? aceris Linn
A yellowish green, brown marked jilant louse, with long hairy antennae and reddish
eyes, is frequently abundant throughout the greater part of the season on the underside of
Norway maple.

This species is present in Albany and vicinity and yearly causes con-
siderable injury. It was exceedingly numerous in 1897, and several large
colonies were not uncommon on the under surface of many of the leaves.
The pest was abundant and such large amounts of honeydew^ were excreted
that walks under infested trees were usually damp in midsummer. Large
sticky masses on the surface of the foliage were not uncommon, and they
frequently dried into hard clear beads of considerable size. A great
many leaves dropped from the trees, probably due to injury by the plant
lice.

Description and habits. This plant louse is found in clusters usually
along the veins of the leaf, or near its base [pi. 11, fig. 5, 6]. The very
young are a pale greenish yellow, with red eyes, and the antennae are
about }4 the length of the body. As they increase in size, the antennae
become longer and are marked with brown near the tips, and brown mark-
ings appear on the dorsum. There is a central brown area on the thorax
and anterior abdominal segments, and irregular markings on either side of
the median line near the posterior extremity of the body. The honey tubes
are short, ornamented with l)Iack at the tips. The markings becoine darker
as the insect increases in size, and in some wingless females may be almost
black and cover a considerable portion of the dorsum. The winged females
are relatively quite rare, and differ from the others only in the possession of
organs of flight.

Natural enemies. This species is fortunately a prey of other insects,
which undoubteilly do much in keeping it in check. One of the most active
of these is the common two-siioiicd ladybeetle, Adalia bipunctata

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 1 75

Linn., and Its young. This species was very abundant at the time of the
outbrealc in 1897, and its grubs were observed in considerable numbers
crawHng about in the vicinity of infested trees. The larger i 5-spotted lady-
beetle, Anatis ocellata Linn., was also associated with the preceding
in feeding on this plant louse. It occurred in considerably smaller num-
bers, and was therefore not so valuable. The young of syrphus flies and of
lace-winged flies were also observed on the infested trees, and undoubtedly
did much towards checking the pest.

Remedial measures. Ordinarily, this species will be kept in check by
its natural enemies, and active remedial measures will not be necessary.
This pest is capable of causing very serious injury, and when not kept
well in check by natural agents, it shouKl be controlled by spraying with a
kerosene emulsion or a soap solution. Thorough treatment with either of
these substances, taking special pains to throw the insecticide on the under
surface of the leaves, will reduce its numliers materially.

Bibliography
iSgS' Lintner, J. A. Ins. N". Y. 13th Rep't. 1897. p. 362

Painted maple aphid
Drcpanosiphum acerijolii Thos.

A pretty winged, red e}'ed, black and white marked plant louse, together with pale
yellowish wingless young, may be found on the under surface of soft maple leaves, spe-
cially on those near the tips.

This little plant louse appears to be generally distributed throughout
the -State, and is usualh' jjresent in small numbers on most of the soft
maples. Occasionally it is abundant enough to cause considerable injury.
This was true in and aliout Albany in 1S97, at which time a number of
species of plant lice were unusualh" abundant. This form was observed
by the writer in early September, 1S99, at Onondaga \'alley, Syracuse,
where many of the leaves of the soft maple had fallen and those in the
upper portion of the trees were badly shriveled. Abundant honeydew was
observed on the foliage and as the trees were badly infested with this plant

176 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

louse, it was doubtless partly responsible for their poor condition. Many

infested maples were seen at this time at Batavia, but the injury was not

as great as at Syracuse. The work of this species was also observed at

Amsterdam and in Albany, and it doubtless caused serious injury in the

latter places. A few syrphid larvae were found on the infested trees.

Description. Tliis is a small species, the winged adult measuring only
about ',0 inch in length. Tlie antennae are about twice the length of the
body and nearly colorless, except for the black tips of each segment. The
eyes are a brilliant red, and the dorsum is a variable brown, as is also true
of the thorax. The wing veins arc heavily fringed with dark brown near
the tips. The dorsum of the middle abdominal segment is also marked
with dark brown, and that of the anterior and of the terminal segments is
frequently a grayish white. The long slender legs are nearly colorless.
The last thoracic segment and the second and third abdominal segments
bear paired black spines, one on each side of the median line, the middle
spines or tubercles being the highest. This species is somewhat peculiar in
that old adults may have the greater part of the abdomen broken off with-
out apparently suffering much inconvenience. The wingless individuals
are a pale yellowish green color, the eyes are a bright red, and the tapering
antennae are dark at the tips. The honey tubes are short and capitate in
nearly full grown individuals. The middle tibia, tarsi, and the base of the
posterior tibiae are frequently dark. [Sec pi. 11, fig. 1-4]

Elm leaf aphid
Calliptcyus uluiifolii Monell
A very slight, inconspicuous i)lant louse frequently occurs on the underside of the
leaves of American elms during midsummer.

This delicate species was present on American elms in Albany in great
numbers in 1897. It caused considerable injury at that time and its work
was plainly indicated In' llu- constant tlam])cning of sidewalks with large
amounts of honejdcw falling from the infested trees. The attack of that
year continued throughout July and August, when it was finally arrested
b\- heavy rains in conjunction with the efficient work of ladybugs and their
young. This species is one which is widely distributed throughout the
State and frequently causes considerable injury, though active measures for
its control will as a rule be avoided, largely on account of the attendant
expense.

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 1 77

Description and habits. The young- and adults occur here and there
over the leaves, there being no clusters, such as are so characteristic of the
Chaitophorus occurring on the Norway maples. The winged adult is
yellowish green, and harmonizes very closely with the color of the veins
on the underside of the leaves. The ver)- delicate antennae have each
segment tipped with black. The dorsum of the thorax and of the anterior
abdominal segments is marked with inconspicuous brownish spots. There
are four small, black tipped tubercles on the dorsum of the anterior
abdominal segments. The honey tubes are very short. The win^^-s are
nearly colorless, except for the light brown and greenish shades along the
veins. The wingless individuals are nearly the same color as the adults,
and are even less conspicuous. The thorax is spotted dorsally with
very small light brown mr.rkings [sec pi. ii, fig. 12-14]. It frecjuently
happens that the best signs of this insect's presence are the numerous
whitish exuviae cast by the growing young. These cling to the leaves for
a considerable time, and give a very good idea of the previous abundance
of the insect.

Remedial measures. Thorough spraying with a contact insecticide,

taking special pains to make the application to the underside of the foliage,

is a most efficient check on this species, though it is a costl\- method in the

case of large trees.

Bibliography

1S98 Lintner, J. A. Ins. X. Y. 13th Rep't. 1897. p. 362

Woolly elm leaf aphid

Schizonciira anicricana Riley

Curled and gnarled leaves of white elm in June with whitish pelle'ts of honeydew
dropping from the trees, are characteristic of this pl.ant louse.

This insect is sometimes very abundant on American elms and fre-
quently the first indication of its presence is the whitening of foliage under
the infested trees, a disfigurement caused by falling wax-covered pellets
of honeydew. An examination of the elm usually shows that one side of
the leaf has turned under the other, forming a cavity which is frequentl\-

178 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

brimful of struggling plant lice and particlc-s of whitened honeydew. It is
occasionally abundant enough to cause considerable damage, though as a
rule, the disfigurement of the tree and the shrubs below constitute the
principal nuisance.

Life history. The life history of this species has been carefully worked
out by the late Professor Riley, who states that the over-wintering egg is a
minute, dull yellowish, ovoid t)bject about ' ;„ inch long, which is deposited
in cracks and crevices of the iiark during the summer. This remains
dormant till the leaf buds begin to swell, at which time the young plant
lice issue, crawl to the terminal lca\es and branches and settle on the first
tender leaflet they find. This is the first generation or stem mothers, and
they establish themselves on the under surface of the leaf and very soon
cause it to swell and curl, usualh' from one edge. The curl varies however,
depending somewhat on whether one or several stem mothers settle on the
same bud. The stem mother, at first pale yellowish red, with dark append-
ages, increases rapidly in size, dei)ending somt:what on the nourishment in
the leaf. In about 25 days young begin to appear at the rate of about one
to every si.x or seven hours, according to temperature. The colony
increases in numbers and earl\- in I urn- in this latitude, the affected leaves
may be literally overtlowing with plant lice and the honeydew they produce.
In favorable years the lice soon become so abundant that the leaves do not
protect tln-m, antl are covered with multitudes of old and young, some
wingless and others with organs of tlight. At this time the second genera-
tion of wingless mothers are surrounded liy smaller colonies, all of which in
turn ac(|uiri! wings. ()lhcr generations are jiroduced, as man\' as si.x
occurring in one season, the last depositing eggs in the cre\ices of the bark
as mentioned above.

! )r Rllcy states that this species is very closely allied to the European

S. u 1 m i Linn.

Bibliography

1880 Riley, C. V. & Monell, J. L". .S. (itd. (k-og. Sur. Bui. 5, p. 4-9

INSECTS AFFECTIXG PARK AND WOODLAND TREES

179

This form reseniljles the iircccdint; vcrv much.

naria acericola: ,i-l
female with tarsus and antenna at right, g
on lower side of leaf, before migrating
U. S. Dep't Agric. Div. Ent. IJul. 22, i

f third stage of early hiber

y enlarged; i^=larva of third stage

twigs, enlarged. (After Howard.

1900)

Maple leaf scale
Pulz'i)iaria accricola \\ alsh & Riley
Brownish scales, witii cottony masses protruding from under them may be found on
the leaves of the sugar majd
This species, as
pointed out by I)r

Howard, was probably
observed by Dr S. IS.
Rathvon at Lancaster
Pa., at tht' time he
studied ami character-
ized P u 1 \- i n a r i a
i n n u 111 e r a b i 1 i s .
It was figured by Walsh
and Riley in the first
volume of the American Entoiuologist, and by later writers it was referred
to Dr Rathvon's species. It was left to Dr Howard to point out in 1S98
that two species had been confounded and that the very characteristic illus-
tration published by Messrs Walsh and Riley was sufficient to carry the
name.

Description. The adult female, found on the leaves as described by Dr
Howard, is not so large as the corresponding stage of P. innumer-
abilis Rathv. and the secreted cottony mass is somewhat depressed,
faintly bilobed and transversly undulated. This species has been taken
only on the sugar maide and in this State it has been recorded from Ithaca.
It is also known to occur in Iowa, .-\laf)ama, Washington I). C. and New
Jersey. The paucity of records is probably due in part at least to its being
confused with our more common species.

Life history and habits. The following account of the life history and
habits of this species is based on Dr Howard's work. Eggs received from
Knoxville Tenn. in 1898, began to hatch in June, while others from

l80 NKW YORK STATE Ml'SEUM

Doihaii Ala. in 1899, bcijan to lialch the latter part of May, and a sendinjf
from Kno.wille in the same year was unhatched June 6. The secretion of
the et(*,^ sac and the deposition of eggs in the mass of wax and fibers com-
posing the sac began in Washington late in May and continued gradually
till the middle of June, young beginning to hatch on the 13th. The
recently hatched larvae are a pale yellowish color, with a slightly brownish
median line and dark purple eyes. July 31 the first molt occurred and the
young were still a very |)ale yellowish white color and almost transparent,
though a very few specimens were marked with a pale purplish spot near
the extremity of the body. The growth from this time till October, at
which time the second skin was cast in 1899, was very slow. The thinl
stage however was observed as early as June 26, 1898. The young had
deserted the leaves in 1899 by Oct. 15. They were at this time of a pale
brownish )ellow color, somewhat darker along the median line, and were
characteristically marked with a large reddish, almost crimson, medio-dorsal
spot on the prothoracic segment, and willi a similar one just in front of the
anal cleft. The c\es were minute, black, and nearly twice as large as
i)efore. Most of the larvae had settled for hibernation on the trunk
by Oct. 21 and ihcii the sexes could be distinguished. The ftMiiales
are recognized b\' tlieir more broadh' o\-,il shapes. At aljout tin: time the
migration to the twigs began, late in October, the great majority of the
young were located along the ribs on the underside of the leaves, though a
large number were also found on adjoining twigs, generalh' in and about
the forks, in excrescences or near buils or other projections. They run
about cjuite actively at this time in search of suitable places for hibernation,
and a delicate layer of waxy secretion appears which gi\es the insect a
somewhat grayish apjiearance. Nov. i, 1898, all the young had settled for
hibernation, and were of a consitlerable darker color, harmonizing well with
the bark. There was little or no change in their condition in December
and the same was jjractically true; at the entl of the following March. Males
and females were found .April 8 on pottt'd trees. The latter were of a dark
]nir|)le color with a vellow median ridge. The tirst male transformed to a

IXSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES

pupa April 22 and by the 28th the anal filaments had begun to protrude
and May i the atlult emerged. May 18 the females had increased greatly
in size, indicating that impregnati(.)n had taken place, and on the 22d they
began to move from the young branches out on the twigs and on the 2^d
one had reached the underside of the leaf and had commenced to form its
ovisac. Within 24 hours the extruded white' wax formed a nearly conij^lete
circle about the Insect, and 48 hours later it had reached a length of 1/5 inch,
and was distinctly divided from the first secretion b\- a d(.-(.:ply impressed
line. The first wax extruded contained no eggs, but the real o\isac, com-
prising the last '',, inch was full of eggs which hatched June 13, and thus
completed the life cjxle.

irt P u 1 V i .w, r
of csK sac : ^=s.ii
Howard. U. S. D

eiicol.i: ,i_full i:rown female, fr
ill ess '.ac completed, from :
,snc. Div. Ent. Bui. 22, 11, s.

(.\fte

Natural enemies. The only enemy observed by l)r Howard at Wash-
ington was a small ladybug, Hyperasjjis signata (Jliv,, which was
received in the lar\al condition from Knowille Fenn. Fhe lar\'a of this
little beetle is ver)' interesting on account of its resembling the larva of a
mealy bug [fig. 27]. It, or an allied species, was met with by the writer in
1 90 1. Prof. R. H. Pettit, who collected the insect at Ithaca in 1893, reared
six parasites which were determined by I )r Howanl as toUows : .\ p li )■ c u s
hederaceus Westw., A p h y c u s f 1 a v us H ow., C o c c o p h a g u s

l82

fraternus

Hou-.

NEW VORK STATE MLSEUM

Pach\ncurnn alti scuta

^

M. l:. S. Dcp'. A^ri

turni size above, enlarged
Div. Eiit. Bui. 26, n. s. 1900)

How., and C h i I n-
n o u r u s a 1 b i -
CO rn i s How.,

and a small fly,
L e u c tj p i s n i s.; -
r i c o r n i s Egger.
Professor Pettit
also obtained the
small ladybug

named above.

Remedial meas-
ures. This s|jeci(ts
is so closely allied
to the more
common cottony
maple scale, P u 1-

vinaria i n n u m e r a b i 1 i s Rathv. that measures of value against one
should prove of nearly ecjual service in the case of the other.

Bibliography
1900 Howard, L. O. U. S. Dii/t Agrii. Div. ILnt. lUiI. 22, n. s. p. 16-23

Maple phenacoccus

P/iciuuo(i'iis atcr/co/a King

Cottony, white scale insects occurring on tlie underside of sugar m.Tiile leaves, or
cottony, white, masses of i)U])ae on the trunk may be tliose of this insect.

This species is a relatively rare form which has attracted very little
notice till recent years. It was apparently l)rt)ught to the attention of the
late I)r Lintner but once during his long term of service as state entomol
ogist, and previous to 1901 had been sent to the writer only once. It was,
however, extremely abiuidant in 1901 on hard maples in Albany, and it
was observed on a great many of these trees at both Worcester and Spring-
field Mass. One tree in Albany was so badly infested that thousands of

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES

183

the cocoons were to be seen on the t-'unk. forminij masses which could be
detected at a distance of several hundred feet. The leaves of the lower
branches were badly injured by the females, and examination in 1902
showed that many of the lower I 'inches had been killed. The insect was
breeding rapidly Aug. 6, 1901, at which time many young were observed
on the leaves. Partly grown
individuals were assembled in
long rows on both sides of the
principal veins on the under
surface of the leaves, and a
marked subacid, not unpleas-
ant odor was observed in con-
nection with this species.

Early history. This spe-
cies was first noticed in
America by Miss Emih' A.
Smith of Peoria 111. in 1S80.
Miss Smith made a thorough
study of the insect and
observed it onl\- on the sugar or
hard maple, and referred it to
Goeffro)'s P s e u d o c o c c u s
a c e r i s. That reference was
allowed to stand till 1902,
when it was described by Mr
G. B. King. This scale insect
must have been quite abundant in Illinois in 1880. It was not noticed
again till 1894, when Dr L. O. Howard gave a summarized account of
its life history and commcMited on its rarity. He states that since the
publication of Miss Smith's article in 1880 and the preparation of his
account 14 years later, the species had not been sent to the division of
entomology. United .States Department of Agriculture, a fact which estab-

Fig. 28 Plien.icoccus
/■-young females and ma
Insect Life. 1894. 7:235!

1 84

NEW YORK STATE ML'SEUM

lishes Its rarity. It was received by Dr Howard in 1894 from Mr John G.
Jack, who stated that the species was very abundant in some localities in
the vicinity of Jamaica. It was also sent him from other localities in
Massachusetts, and from Prof. \V. G. Johnson, then at the State Laboratory
of Natural History, Champai<(n 111., to whom it had been sent on sugar
maple leaves from Ml Karner. Prof. L. h". Kinney of the Rhode Island
E.xperiment Station, also sent specimens of the insect to Dr Howard
during that year. Since this latter date the species was not abundant
till igoi, as stated above, when it occurred in large numbers, not only

■o

li;. Jt) Ph

cnacoccus accricol.-t: d— aduh female, antenna greatly enlarged; (^—antenna
»-f same still more enlarged; f=-adult male, antenna greatly enlarged; (/—young larva, greatly
enlarged; <■— antenna of same still more enlarged. (After Howard. Insect Life. 1894. 7:^37)

in New York State, but in localities in Massachusetts, and jM-oljably in
other sections of the country.

Life history. The life history of the insect, as given by Miss .Smith
and Dr Howard, may be stated briefly as follows. The adult females occur
on the leaves in summer, and are about I4 inch in length and a little less in
transverse diameter. The adults are concealed by an oval mass of powdery,
slightly stringy wa.x within which is the female antl her eggs, the insect
occupying the anterior end and her body constituting about ]/^ its bulk.

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AM) WOODLAND TREES iSs

She is light yellow in color and about ' , inch long-. The light yellow eggs
are very abundant in the waxy secretion, and measure about '/;; inch in
length. The young female is pale yellow, elongated oval, antl tapers gently
toward each end. The young male is reddish )-ellow, and the adult red.
The young remain on the leaf after emerging from the eggs, unless it is
too crowded, when they crawl down the petif^le and seek food on a hc^althy
leaf. The males on attaining full growth, become restless and wander over
the trunks and limbs for from 7 to 10 days and finalh' secrete themselves
beneath the rougher outer bark of the tree and transform to ]Hipae. The
white, oval male cocoons were present in thousands on the bark of the liard
maples under observation at Albany in igoi. The perfect insects ajipear
in about 15 days, and by this time the females have attained maturity, left
the leaves and are wandering about on the limbs or trunk. The growth of
the females is rapid after pairing and they soon settle on the umlersioo of
the leaf, seldom crowding each other. ?\Iiss Smith states that not more
than three or four remain on a leaf, while Dr Howard records as man}- as
13 on the underside of a single leaf, and specimens collected at i\lbany
have borne nearly as many. The wax)' secretion soon becomc's ver\- dense,
and the eggs are pushed out into it, Ijoth the secretion and the number of
eggs increasing proportionally. One individual may deposit over 500. Miss
Smith's observations at Peoria showed that there were three generations
each year, and that the winter is passed by young in crevices of the larger
limbs and in that latitude they may be quite active during warm days.
The second brood hatches in June, and the third in August, the young of
the latter generation over-wintering. I)r Howard calls attention to the fact
that the young of all generations have, the habit of migrating to the trimk
of the tree, in the earlier generations, however, they remain on the bark lor
only a short period, while the young of the last, as previously stated, winter
on the trunk.

Natural enemies. Miss .Smith succeeded in breeding a minute Chalcid
tl\', Rhopus CO ceo is Smith, which frecpicntly deposits its eggs on the
female about the time of oviposition. JNIiss .Smith also observed a syrphus

lS6 NEW YORK STATE ML'SEUM

larva fccdin<,r on the young bark lice, while from the puparium of this larva
she reartxl another ChalcitI, which she identitied as a species of Eiilophus.
Three lady beetles, H y p e r a s p i s s i g n a t a Oliv., C h i 1 o c o r ii s b i v u 1 -
neriis Muls., and Anatis ocel lata Oliv., were observed by her feeding
on the bark lice, and a species ofChrysopa was engaged in the same work.
A syrpiiitl tly, Haccha fascipennis W'ied, was reared liy Dr llo])kins
from Massachusetts specimens and from the puparium of this lly he obtained
a species of Pachy neuron, which lie thinks may possibly be the insect
referred to Kulophus b\- Miss Smith. Ihi; larxac of llyj^eraspis
s i g n a t a were also observctl feeding on specimens from Massachusetts.

Remedial measures. This insect could be easily controlled by an appli-
cation of such contact insecticides as a whaU? oil solution or a kerosene
emulsion. The treatment will be more effective if performed at the time
when most of the young are crawling. Miss Smith found by e.xperiment
that a wash composed of 3 gallons of wati-r, ' ii pouml of hellebore and i
teaspoonful of carbolic acid, put on with a whitewash brush during the early

spring, was effectual.

Bibliography

1880 Smith, Emily A. X. Am. F.nt. i : 73-S6

1 88 1 Comstock, J. H. I'. S. Dep't -Vgric. Rep't 18S0, p. 345
1S94 Howard, L. O. Insect Life, 7 : 235-40

1902 King, G. B. Can. Ent. 34 : 211-12

Cockscomb elm gall
Colopha ulviicola Fitch
Tiie leaves of the .Vmerican elms are not infreijuently more or less deformed by a
peculiar cockscomh-like gall whicli ajjpears in June, and is the work of a small aphid
or plant louse.

This interesting gall is a very common one in the vicinity of Albany,
and occasionally is cjuite abundant. It is sometimes so numerous as to pro-
duce very serious deformations of the leaves, and a corresponding injury.
The young galls appear about the first of May as slightly elevated ridges
on the upper side of the leaf. .Soon after, on the opposite side, elongated
openings appear, ami on s|)reading these apart, a glossy olive brown plant

INSECTS AFFECTIXG PARK AXD WOOULAXD TREES 18/

louse may be seen within the cavity. This insect is the mother of the
colony inhabitiny^ the gall. I-Our to five weeks after the inception of its
growth and during the month of {une, an examination of the interior of the
gall shows the adult plant li)us<_: surrounded l)y numerous \-oung in different
stages of growth. \\'ithin the gall, among the many occupants are small
glistening globules of a sweet liquid or honeydew, excreted by the plant
lice. Later the opening into the gall spreads ajiart and permits the insects
to escape, and when the tree is badly infested, as stated by Dr Lintner,
there are almost showers of honeydew falling from the leaves on the ground
beneath. The stones of the walks under the infested tr(_-es in cities may be
kept moist and black by this copious excretion. The members of the
second generation, as stated by Dr Lintner, are wingless females, parents
of the gall-producing geneiation, from which, later in the season, sexual
individuals develop and deposit eggs in sheltered places beneath the bark.
The winter is passed in this stage and the stem mother appears the follow-
ing spring.

Bibliography

1S59 Fitch, Asa. ins, X. \. sth Kep't, p. 63-64

18S7 Lintner, J. A. Ins. X. V. 3(1 Rep't. 18S6. p. 126-28

Woolly larch aphid

C/icrmcs sfrolu'lo/u'its Kalt.

Snow-wliite, woolv aphids or plant lice on larrli nceillcs m May anil June and
masses (if purplish eggs at the l)ase of leaf fascicles may be this insect.

This species is somewhat common on the larches in Albany, and has
been under the writer's observation for the past five years. It is occasion-
ally exceedingly abundant, and the woody masses excreted In' this plant
louse are sometimes so conspicuous as to give a tree the appearance of
having been dusted with (lour or starch. This was specially true the latter
part of June 1897 [Sec pi. 18, fig. i, 3, 4]

Life history. The life history of this insect as observed by the writer
in Albany is substantially as follows: May 3. 1897. the larches were alive
with females and eirgs. Large masses of eggs were to be found at the

1 88 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

base of nearly every fascicle of leaves on some limbs. Over 200 were
counted in an ei,ri,r mass of moderate size, while around the base of other
fascicles two to three times this number were to be found. The young
were beginninj^ to hatch on this date, and some had already settled on the
larch needles, at which time they presented a close resemblance to a grain of
black gunpowder. The young increase in size in the course of a few weeks,
and excrete an abundance of white wooly matter. The period when the
insect is most conspicuous is during the latter part of June. Later in the
summer it is not nearly so aljundant, though it can usually be found upon
the trees in smaller numbers up till September and possibly later. The
life history of this species as worked out by Dr Cholodkovsky of Europe
is most interesting, comprising, as it does, a life cycle of 2 years duration
and involving five generations. It is as follows: (gen. i) wingless female
lice pass the winter at the base of young pine buds, produce galls in the
spring and in them winged (gen. 2) females develop, part of which migrate
in August to the larches and lay eggs on the needles. From these eggs
emerge (gen. 3) young which hibernate in the crevices of the bark and the
following spring attack the base of the butls and produce the eggs which
attract attention on the larches, and from Avhich the black (gen. 4) young
emerge, a portion eventually developing into winged females, and return-
ing to the pines the latter part of May (probably later in this latitude, as
this generation is abundant on larches till the last of June), where they lay
eggs producing (gen. 5) males and females, which in turn are parents to the
hibernating form first mentioned and thus the life cycle is completed.

The writer, so far as known, was the first to record the occurrence of
this species in America though doubtless it had been established in this
country for some years. The following s\nonyms are those given by Dr
Cholodkovsky: C h c: r m e s coccineus Ratz.? in part; C. laricis
Ratz., Koch in part ; C. geniculatus Ratz.. in part; C. hamadryas
Koch: C. atratus Huckton ? ; C. lariceti Ahum?

Bibliography
1S9S Felt, E. P. State Km. 14th Kcp't. N. V. State Mus. Bui. 23, p. 238

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 1 89

Spruce gall aphid

Chcniiis abictis Linn.
Somewliat cone-shaped, many-relied galls are formed at the bases of yomii:,' spruce
shoots; later these dry, turn brown and open, thus allowing the inclosed plant lice to
escape.

This species has been observed b)- us on spruce in Albany, and it also
occiu's in other parts of the State. It is, according; to I'rofcssor Cooley,
widely distriljiited in America, since it has been met with in New Eno;land,
recorded by him from Canada, occiu's as far west as W'ashini^ton, and has
been received from a munber of intervening- localities.

Description. The yall is a somewhat conelike, luany-celled structure
about -^4 inch in leni^th. It is at first entirely green or more or less rosy in
color, taking on a yellowish tinge in .\ugust, at which time the cavities
open slowly and the gall begins to dry up and turn Ijrown.

The eggs are deposited in small clusters, each attached to a leaf by a
slender stem. They are ellipsoidal in form, about ■ ,„, inch in length, light
yellow when deposited, gradually turning darker. The newly hatched
young measure about ■ ,„_, inch in length, are oval, ta[)ering slightly toward
the posterior end. The full grown young are about ' ,2 inch long, with the
head, thorax and all the appendages yellow, the abdomen rather reddish
and the wing pads tinged with green in man\- individuals, though in some
the)' are light brown. The winged iemale is from aliout 's to ', i,, inch in
length, with a wing expanse of about ' ^ inch. Recently emerged individu-
als are a nearly uniform yellowish color, but with age darker markings
become apparent and the head and thorax are then a nearly uniform deep
brown, while the abdomen retains its yellowish color, the fore wings with
the stigma and costal cell are distinctlv green. The posterior end of the
thorax is covered with a white, tlocculent secretion, which extends along
the sides of the abdomen toward the thorax. The young of the winter
generation measure about ' 60 inch in length. The dorsum of the head and
thorax and the spots on the dorsum of the abdomen arc brown ; the
remainder of the body is yellowish brown.

igO NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

Life history and habits. Tills account of the life history and habits is
ba^ct-i on that published by Prof. R. A. Cooley. The ej^i^'-s are deposited
from the second week of May to about the time the spruces are putting
forth new shoots, and may l)e found at tiie base of buds enveloped in a
white, wooly mass. A cluster contains about 300 light yellow eggs, each
attached by a slender stem. The eggs hatch in about a week, and in a few
hours the young venture out from llie protecting wooly mass, crawl to the
tender, young shoots and nestle closely in the cracks at the base of the
leaves of young galls which have already begun to form. The starting of
the galls must therefore be attributed to the female rather than to the
young, though the Idttcr undoubtedly have some influence on their further
development. There is nothing on the )oung gall to indicate that there
will ever be cavities to inclose the nymphs. It gradually grows over the
insects, the cavities slowly closing, leaving only a semicircular incision
surrounded by a grayish or pinkish pubescence. Late arriving nymphs
sometimes experience difficulty in tnnling a ca\ity open enough to allow
admission. Generally all the nymphs in one gall come from an t^gg cluster
laid by a female. After the cavities close, the space within enlarges, and in
a few days the young may be seen closely adhering to the sides, heads
directed toward the o])cning. The nymphs become full grown in early
August, at which time the galls begin to loose their dark green color, slowly
turning yellowish. The cavities gradually open and the nymphs emerge
one by one, molt, leaving the cast skins attached to the leaves, the wings
developing as they crawl along. The first winged specimens were observed
at Amherst Mass., Aug. 10, and most of the adults emerged before the
20th, but stragglers continued to appear for some time. About two days
after attaining maturit\-, the female begins laying eggs after having first
permant'iuly attached herself to a leaf, generally near its tip, where she
remains, her dead body serving as a protection for the egg cluster. The
eggs do not all hatch at the same time, a jferiod of about two weeks being
recjuiretl. The young n\ ini)hs remain untler the dead body of the mother
for a short time and then the young wingless females spread over the

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES I9I

nearb)- limlss, some attachinj^r themselves to leaves, others locating; in
crevices at the axil of leaves and at the base of buds, only a portion of
those at the base of buds surviving" the winter. Minute young of this
generation are almost invisible, Init as the winter approaches they secrete
from the dorsal pores a coating of coarse, white threads, which make them
more conspicuous. The old winter coat is molted in the spring, about the
third week in April, after which a more copious wooly coating is produced.
The first eggs were observed at Amherst Mass., May 9.

Natural enemies. This species is subject to attacks b)- several natural
enemies. The larva of the common lace-winged tl_\', C h r y s o p a a r c u a t a
Say., feeds voraciously on the nymphs of this insect as they issue from the
galls. Protection of smaller insectivorous birds such as tits, the nuthatch
and golden-crested wren, has been recommended because they probably
prey on this plant louse to some extent.

Remedial measures. Thorough spraying of infested trees in April,
with a whale oil soap solution, i lb to 2 gal. of water, has proved very
effectual in checking this insect. The galls may also be cut off and burned
in June, thus destroying the insects.

Bibliography
1897 Cooley, R. A. Mass. Agric. Col. 34th Rep't, p. 91-99

Rose leaf hopper

Tvpltloc\'ba I'osac Harris

Small, yellowish white, jumping insects about Vfj inch long occur in swarms during
midsummer, on rose leaves.

This is one of the common pests of rose growers and occasionally these
small leaf hoppers cause a great deal of injur)-. They winter under fallen
leaves and rubbish on the surface of the ground and appear on rose bushes
some time in May, occurring on the underside of the foliage, in all stages,
during the greater part of the summer. They draw the sap from the foliage
and thus produce whitish, discolored spots which, if tht; injm-y be severe,
results in the affected leaves turning yellow and dropping.

192

NEW YOUK STATE MUSEUM

This pest is most easily controlled by thorough spraying with a con-
tact insecticide such as a whale oil soap solution or a kerosene emulsion,
taking special pains to hit the insects before they can jump out of harm's
wa\'. The adults are somewhat difficult to destroy and where thorough
work is necessary it may be advisable to knock them to the ground with a
weaker spray and then complete the work by drenching them with a stronger
solution. Thorough spraying with a powerful jet of water from a hose has
been found very effective in keeping this pest in check, and where such
is available, recourse to the disagreeable insecticides will probably be

unnecessary.

Woolly elm bark aphid

Scliizonciira rilcyi Thos.
Clusters of a white, woolly substance on limbs and tnmks of white elms, accompanied
1)V a knotted, unnatural growth of wood, are very likely the work of this species.

This insect is widely distributed in the State, and here and there badly
deformed trees are met with as a result of the operations of this plant louse.
It does not, as a rule, cause much injury. The lice are met with on the
trees in May, June and possibly later, anil as they are easily seen it is not
difficult to control them, since they can be killed, according to Dr Riley,
with a weak solution of cresylic acid soap. It is very probable that thor-
ough spraying, particularly if a forcible s])ra\' be employed, with either
whale oil soap emulsion or a carbolic acid and soap emulsion would destroy

them as rcailih".

Pine bark aphid

Clici Dies piiiicortiiis Fitch

Patches of flocculent downy matter may be observed on the smooth bark of white
jiine and these will be found to conceal minute ])lanl lice.

This insect appears to be a .somewhat common one on pine growing in
parks and under somewhat artificial conditions in New York State. The
writer has observed the work of this species for a number of years in
Washington park, Albany, where it has frecpienlly been so abimdant as to
literally cover the smooth bark of a consideralilc proportion of the trunks
of certain young white pine. The presence of large numbers of this insect

INSECTS AFFECTIXG PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 1 93

reduces the vitality of a tree and apparently leads to a sickly condition,
which, in a few cases, appears to have eventually resulted in death. It is
impossible to say that this plant louse is the sole cause of the injur)- but
our obserw'itions intlicate this to be probable in some instances.

Early history. This insect was noticed by Dr Fitch in 1856. He states
that it was more troublesome to ornamental trees and described its treneral
appearance and also the insect. It was noticed in 1883 by Mr Saunders,
who records it as a species which is sometimes very destructive to the white
pine, and one which is preyed on by a number of natural enemies. In 1885
Dr Lintner gave a somewhat extended ncitice of this plant louse, presum-
ably on account of its abundance on pine in the vicinity of Alban^;.
Dr E. P). .Southwick. entomologist of the Department of Public Parks of
New York city, stated in 1894 that this insect gave him a great deal of
trouble and that he found a stiff spray was one of the best methods of
subduing it. Prof. Lawrence Bruner, in the same year, stated that he had
received reports of injuries by this species from several localities in
Nebraska. A detailed notice of this plant louse by E. L. Storment '
appeared in 189S, in which he states that this insect has been quite inju-
rious in Illinois. This last writer lists the insect as occurring in a number
of Illinois. New York, Iowa and Maryland localities, and adds that it is
probably much more generally distributed than the few localities which he
has been able to find recorded, would seem to indicate.

Life history. The life history of this insect has not been worked out
in detail. The eggs commence to hatch early in Ma)' in favorable seasons,
af which time the young emerge in large numbers from their protective
balls of W'Ooll)' matter and travel actively over the bark for a time. They
are so small as to be nearly invisible to the naked eye and in the early part
of May they are more abundant than at any other time. Traveling soon
ceases and they attach themselves to the tender bark of )-oung twigs.
They increase rapidly in size, assume a dark reddish brov.'n color approach-
ing black, and the secretion from the body commences and soon hides them
' 1898. E. L. Storment. Ins. of 111. 20th Rep't, ap. p. 3-24

194 ^'^^V YORK STATE MUSEUM

from view. .Maturity is probably reached toward the last of May and the
wingless females deposit e^^ga for another brood. Wintered females are
produced about the first of June. There are several broods during the
summer and the winter appears to be passed in some years, at least, by
wingless females which commence feeding toward the latter part of March
and begin to deposit eggs in early April. These hatch al)()ut the 15th and
young begin to attach themselves the 26th. The wingless females disap-
pear about May I, and hatching ceases by the 7lh ; wing(!d adults appear
about the 9th, b\- tlie ijlh all tin: )<)ung are attached, and li\ the 23d the
winged adults disappear. These latter records are based on observations
made by .Mr Stornient. He further states that this species may have an
alternatixe food ])laiit which at ])resent is unknown.

Description. Th ; eggs occur in down\- balls near the bases of the
needles and var\- in number from 5 to 60 or more in each, usually there are
only a ft-w. They are oval, dusky or reddish )ellow, slightly ovate, about
.34 mm long and with a transverse diameter of .17 mm.

The young of the winged form, as described 1)\- Professor Osborn, are
oval in shai)e, llattened, yellowish or light brown. The antennae are three
jointed, the first short and thick, the second slightly longer and not so thick
and the third is three times as long as the first and half as thick, and set
with a few stiff hairs at the ape.x. .Xs these young develop they become
darker in color, assuming a deep red or brown and finally become almost
black. The woolly substance is thick on the abdominal segments and also
on the meso- and meta-thora.x, hiding the insect and changing its appearance
to that of a ball of white down.

The winged form, as described by Professor (3sborn, is light reddish
in color, and the wings are very white, e.\pantl rapidly and become
transparent, while the body darkens till almost black. The antennae are
five jointed and short. The tarsi are one jointed, with a rudimentary first
joint and two claws. The forewings are folded rooflike over the body, the
anterior pair having a strong subcostal vein which is branched at the basal
third, the lower branch running parallel for a distance and then turning
oblicpiely toward the posterior margin. Prom this branch there are two
oblicpie discoidal veins running to the posterior margin. The stigma is
indistinct. The wingless female is enclosed in a woolly mass which adheres
to the bark. The legs and antennae are persistent, small, the latter being
three jointed and the tarsi one jointed and terminated by a pair of claws.

INSECTS AFFF.CTINC PARK AXD WOODLAND TREES I95

The hod)- is clont^ated, p)rifonn durin:^' cl^l;' la\inLi' ''i'""l contracts to a
globular or flattened shape afterwards or in the winti-r.

Natural enemies. This s])ecies is subject to attack liy .a numljer of
natural enemies ; amony the more impoilant may be mentioned several
species of ladybeetles, particularly the 1 5-spotted one, Anatis ocel-
lata Oliv., and the two-spotted form, Ad alia l)ii)unctata Linn;
both species have been observed by tht- writer in considerable numbers
around infested pines in Washington jjark. The twice stabbed ladybeetlc,
C h i 1 o c o r u s b i v u 1 n e r u s Muls., and the spotted ladybeetle, M e g i 1 1 a
maculata De G., have also been recorded as i)re}ing on this aphid.
Syridiiil larvae and ant lions, Chr)-so|)a and Hemerobius, are recorded
bv Mr Storment as being verv destructive; to this insect.

Remedial measures. Tliis insect is easily reachetl by sprays, antl as
previously noted I)r Y.. B. .Southwick has found that \-ery stiff sjira^'s are
efficient in combating this pest. Mr .Storment states that thorough spray-
inf with kerosene emulsion in Ma\- pro\-ed \-er)- efficient. The standard
emulsion was probably diluted with q parts of water. In case it was
undesirable to use kerosene emulsion, it is probable that the insect would
be equally susceptible to a whale oil soap solution, i pound to 4 gallons
of water, or even a forcible spray of cold water would wash off large
numbers of the insects. This latter could be used very well where a
nearby hydrant afforded sufficient head.

Bibliography
1S56 Fitch, Asa. Ins. N. Y. ist Rt-p't, p. 167-09
1885 Lintner, J. A. Ins. X. Y. 2d Rt-ii't. p. 180-87
1898 Storment, E. L. Ins. 111. 20th Rcp't, :11.x. p. .^-24

Alder blight aphid

rcnip/i/'ons fcssf/ia/ns Fitch

Conspicuous cottonylike liunc lu-s hanging -Torn the unilcrside of alder stems, are
very characleristic of this insect.

This species is exceedingly abundant in sections of the Ailirondacks
during ■ July and August. It occasionally occurs on cultivated alders in

1^6 NEW YORK STATE MLSEUM

parks, in whicli latter place it sometimes occasions considerable injury.
This species is jireyed on by the caterpillar of the little oranije buttertly,
F e n i s e c a t a r q u i n i u s Fabr., which deposits its eggs among or near
froups of the plant lice as observed by Miss Morton. This caterpillar also
feeds on the related P. f r a x i n i f o 1 i i and P. i m b r i c a t o r.

The aphid can be controlled on cultivated trees by thorough spraying
with a contact insecticide, and where a good head of water is available, a
strong jet from a hose would probably be equally effective.

Cottony maple scale
Pulvinaria iniiicmcrabi/is Ralh\-.

The smaller twigs of many soft maples are sometimes festooned on the underside
with cottony masses protruding from under a brownish scale. It occurs more spari.igly
on other maples, elms and grapevines, as a rule.

This species is generally distributed throughout the greater part of the
.State, and occasionally becomes e.xcessively abundant, specially on the soft
or silver maple, one of its favorite food plants. This scale insect flour-
ishes, particularly in certain seasons, on Long Island and in its vicinity.
Sometimes the trees are fairly festooned with mas.scs of conspicuous
females. In 1890 it was .so abundant in Brooklyn N. Y., as. to lead Mr
A. S. Fuller to report that thou.sands of trees were dying from its attacks.
It was present in large numbers at Buffalo N. Y., the same year and
in 1898 many complaints of serious injury were received from widely
separated localities.

Description. This pest, inconspicuous earlier in the season, most often
comes to notice after the females have attained their full growth late in
June or earl)- in juK' ami have e.xcreted an abundant cottonlike substance,
which protrudes from under the scale covering the insect, as represented at
figure II, on ])late 2. The entire under surface of limbs is frequently
covered with these insects with their cottony fibers full of minute eggs and
young. A recently hatched scale insect is represented very much enlarged
at figure 10, on plate 2. The young soon forsake the protecting filaments
of the mother, wander to the leaves, settle along the veins as a rule, secrete

INSECTS AFFECTIXC, PARK AND WOODLAND TREES

197

a scaly covering ami in the fall present the appearance shown at figure 12,
on plate 2.

Life history and habits. This species is vcr)' prolific. One female
rarely deposits less than 500 eggs and most frecpientl)- produces over 2000,
as estimated by the late J. D. Putnam, who published an
exhaustive paper on this species in the proceedings of the
Davenport Academy of Natural Science, of Iowa. Certain
facts regarding the life history of this insect are taken from
his treatise on this scale insect. The young leave the
mother in immense numbers about the latter part of July,
in the latitude of Albany X. V., and establish themselves
along the veins and usually on the underside of the leaves.
Some may be found on the upjier surface, and occasionally fis. so rTTv i „ .. r i :
attacking the more tender twigs. The breeding season in young hibern:idngfcm:,ie
Washington D. C, as stated b\- Dr Howard, extends from iJ^,,d.'"<Ah^ruol'"d.
the latter part of May or early June, into early July, and e,u. e„l 22. ■i.T'iqo-,"'
may last till August. He states that the young on the underside of
the leaves appear to grow more rapidly than those on the upper sur-
face. The first molt occurs in the vicinity of Washington 1). C, in about
a month. This is followed by the secretion of a homogeneous layer of
wax. The insects are yellowish for a period, the females showing deep
red markings about the time the delicate two winged males appear. They
later change to a lirownish color, and migrate to the side of the twigs
shortly before the leaves fall. Mr Putnam found that the males appear in
Iowa, Aug. I to Sep. 15, pair and then die. Ur Howard records the
appearance of the males at Washington D. C, on Aug. iS, and states that
the full grown male scales may be easily recognized by their narrower
and more convex form. The females pass the winter on the underside
of the twigs, and in the spring increase rapidly in size and secrett; large
amounts of honeydew, which gums the leaves and smears everything
beneath the infested trees. The last of .April or early in ]\Iay, in the vicin-
ity of Washington D. C, the insects begin to e.xcrete the familiar cottony

198

NEW VOKK STATE ML'SEU.M

inattiT in whicli the eggs are depositc-tl. The females arc very noticeable
about AIijan\- in July when present in numbers.

Food plants. This pest, as is well known, is most destructive in New
^ iirk State to the soft or silver maple, though it attacks many other plants,
such as sugar and Norway maples, elms and grapevines. The above named
are the more important trees and vines injured by this scale insect.

Method of distribution. Tiie )-oung of this species are carried from
tree to tree in about the same manmr as allied forms. Birds, other insects
(■i».-E^^=*7 '^"'■^ <^\<^n spiders frecjuenling infested trees are often compelled
l|ll||! |)||!' to assist in the liistribution of tiiis pest b}- the active young
' ' ' crawling on them as they rest on the twigs. Once a young

scale is on a bird's foot or on an insect, there is a good
chance that it will l)e carried to another tree before it leaves
Its host. Winds ])robably aid somewhat in the dissemination
of tile pest, and it is undoubtedly carried on infested trees
ship|jed to distant parts of the couiUrv.

Natural enemies. One would liartlly suppose that a mouth-
ful of wax would l)e very palatable, yet Dr Howard states that
he has often observed English sparrows apparently feeding on
this insect. This prolific species is preyed on by a number of
beneficial insects. The twice stabbed ladybeetle, C h i 1 o c o-
rus l)ivulnerus Muls., is one of the more common insects
living on tlie pest in Xcw \'ork State, and in some localiti(;s,
at least, it appears to be a very efficient check. The i 5-spotted
ladybeetle, Anatis o eel lata Linn., Hype rasp is signata Oliv.,
and H. bigeminata Kand are allies of the al)ove named in checking
this pest. The interesting Lejjidojjterous enemy, Laetilia coccidi-
vora Comst., was reared l)y I'rof. J. 11. Comstock from this scale insect.
The caterpillars of this very interesting form flourish on the scale infested
twigs, webbing its hosts together ami working its way through the masses
from one scale to another. Thus one caterpillar destro\s many scale
insects. I)r Howard is of the oiiinion tliat this insect alone causetl the tlis-

sccrctc egg sac in
the spring. (After
H..»i>rd. U. S.
Ucp-lAgric. Uiv.
Em. liul.aj, n.s.

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES

199

appearance of this scale insect from the \VashinL,rton sliade trees at the
close of 1879. The caterpillar is stated to not only ilestroy the old female
scale insects, but also the eggs and young larvae. A more important
species than the preceding, according to the experience of I)r Howard, is a
minute chalcid lly known as Coccophagus lecanii I'itch. I )r How-
ard states that the activity of this parasite in 1898 made it almost impos-
sible to carry the cottony maple scale through the season at Washington,
and that less than 1'^ attained maturit)-. His observations show that this
parasite develops very rapidly, the life cycle occupying not more than 2 or
3 weeks. This permits a very rapid increase in its numbers and adds mate-
rially to the value of the parasite. This little insect even gained access to
the breeding cages in the insectary at Washington ami threatened the
destruction of all the insects.

Coccophagus fla- Q XTTTIXP^^

voscutellum Ashm. is a ^^^ V "^

more southern species than Im^^ \

the preceding, and according
to Ur Howard, is almost
equally. effective in the south-
ern portions of this insect's
habitat. A t r o p a t.e s c o 1 -
1 i n s I How., is another
imiKjrtant parasite of this
insect which was reared I:))'
Dr Howard from Brooklyn material. A single specimen of E u n o t u s
lividus Ashm. was also reared from material sent from Brookhn.
Two other parasites, A [) h y c 11 s p u 1 v I n a r i a e How., and C o m y s
fusca How., are known to live on this species. Ajihis lions or larvae
of lace-winged flies were observed by Dr Howard preying on the young of
this insect, and a species of harvest mite attacks the pest as stateil b)-
Miss Murtfeldt.

Remedies. Brushing: with a stiff broom will dislodge many insects.

■*■ .52 t-

u not us livid 11

s, greatly

enlarged, with m

;iiuennae

: above still more

enlarged

and cocoons und.

left, alst
Hul. J2, r

) enl.irged. (.\ftei

1. s. J900)

r Howard.

U. S. Dep't Ag

2>i'< NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

This should be done before the yoiint^ scatter ami would be more effective
if the brush was dipped frequently in kerosene emulsion or other insecti-
cide. Prof. C. M. Weed states that this pest can be fought with a con-
siderable degree of success by washing it from the tree with a stream
from a hose. Where there is a good head of water this might prove the
best method of controlling the pest. Otherwise, infested trees must be
headetl in and sprayed with a lo to 12 per cent kerosene emulsion at the
time the young ap|)car.

Bibliography
1890 Lintner, J. A. Ins. X. V. 6tli Rej)'!, p. 141-47
1898 Felt, E. P. 1 ish. I'or. and Game Com. 4th Rep't, p. 393-95
1900 Howard, L. O. U. S. .\gric. Div. Ent. Bui. 22, n. s, p. 8-16

Black-banded scale
EjilccaniitDi nigrofasciahtm Pcrg.

\ small, hemispheric, reddish, black marked scale insect may be met with in large
numbers on the underside of branches of maple and of some other trees.

This small species is somewhat common and (]uilc injurious to the soft
and sugar maples in certain cities and villages of New York State. It was
brought to the notice of the late Dr Lintner several years ago, .because
of its remarkable abundance on sugar maples at Poughkeepsie, and the
writer has since had his attention called to its presence in several localities.
It is now a very common and destructive pest of both soft and sugar maples
in the city of Albany. .Mr Pergande, its describer, states that he has
known the insect since 1872, when it was discovered on peachtrees at Hills-
boro Mo., and that since then it has increased steadily and has been gradu-
ally spreading over the peach orcliards of the Middle, Southern and
Eastern States. He seems inclinetl to consider its original home as being
in the region south of New York and north of the Potomac river, and he
believes that it has been distributed from this region by means of cuttings
and yoimg trees and to a lesser degree through the agenc\' of birds and
insects.

Food plants. This scale insect was originalK' consitlered an enemv to

IXSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 20I

the peach, and Mr Pergande wrote of it under the common name of p(>ach
Lecanium. In his account of this species, he, has reconled it as occurring
on various kinds of pknntrees and also on the sugar mai)le, Norway maple,
a variety of the red maple, on apple, Crataegus, sycamore, Humelia, linden,
benzoin, olive and on Vaccinium. The writer has met with it almost exclu-
sively on hard and soft maples.

Life history. The life history of this scale insect has been studied in
detail Iiy Miss Mary li. Murtfeldt of Kirkwood Mo., and the following is
taken from her account of the insect in that latitudes .She oliserved the
species May 2 on a young Lombard plumtree. and at that time the twigs
and smaller branches were incrusted with the pest. The scales were filled
on the 20th witli fully developed eggs, but the young did not appear till
June 10, and by Juh" 15, hatching was completed. B\- this time the earlier
appearing individuals hatl nearly all become established on the leaves and
transformed to male pupae. July 22, winged males appeared in the rearing
jar, showing the pupal period to be about a week, and Aug. 22, hundreds
of them were to be met with as well as fresh pupae and active young, on
the leaves. The male appears to live about a week. Sep. 5, Miss Murt-
feldt found that the males had disappeared and that the females had
attached themselves to the bark of such twigs as were still somewhat
vigorous.

The above account agrees very closely with our observations about
Albany. The young began to appear in 1901 about June 14, and b\- July
15 they were about V50 inch in length. July 16, 1902, the young were very
abundant on the greener shoots near the base of the leaves and on the
base of the leaf petioles. They are frequently arranged along the larger
veins of the leaves on both the upper and lower surface, and they also
cluster on the younger twigs. The species appears to breed over an
e.xtended period, since a few very young were found early in September,
1902, at which time honeydew was excreted in large amounts. ALales were
also emerging then in considerable numbers, and the numerous empty
scales indicated that they had begun to appear some time before. The

202 NEW YORK STATE MUSF.UM

male scales were clustered largely on leaf stalks and alon^,'- leaf veins. Sep.
15 the leaves were deserted by the insects and the males had probably all
emerj^^etl. Badly infested twi^s have a sour, semiputrid odor due in all
prol)ability to the decomjjosition of the larj^a' amount of honeydew excreted,
since stones beneath badly infested trees were kept moist with this sub-
stance even on hot, midsummer days.

Description. llu- ailult female, plate 12, figure 3, 11, is from 'h to
ai)()Ut I 6 inch in length by less than one half that in diameter. She is
slightly broadest posteriorly, hemispheric, highly polished, and when not
rubbed, is covered with a very delicate, transparent, glossy or wa.xy secretion.
There arc apparently 12 or more distinct radiating ridges on each side,
which are most noticeable around the margin of the body but start at
som<! distance from the ilisk of the scale, those of the thoracic segments
being more highly developed. The disk or ' medial dorsal stripe is
smooth or faintly rugose. The general color is a light or dark red with
a broader or narrower, blackish, subdorsal liand surrounding the disk
and composed of confluent spots. There is also a marginal row of elon-
gated, rectangular spots of the same dark color between the ridges.
These markings frequently extend to the sulxlorsal band and give the scale
insect a very pretty appearance. The scales are frequently entirely black,
with the excejjtion of the median stripe, which is red, or they may be
entirely red with but faint traces of darker markings. The adult males are
brick-red, rather stout insects with nearly transparent wings and an elon-
gated, rather thick style at the tip of the abdomen, plate 12, figure 10.
They are about ' 25 inch in length. The recently hatched \oung, jjlate 12,
figure 4, are yellowish, about '/50 inch in length and with two peculiar,
knobby protuberances near the anterior third. The dorsum is fiat in many
individuals antl in others it is decidedly grooved. The posterior extremity
bears two slender, curved setae.

Parasites. This species is undoubtedly kept in check to a considerable
extent 1)\- natural enemies. Probal^lv the most efficient are certain minute
parasitic Hymenoptera. We succeeded in rearing four species, kindly

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES

203

determined through the courtesy of 1 )r Howard, hy I )r W. H. Ashmead,

as follows : A p h yens a n n u 1 i p e s Ashm., P a c h )• n e u r o n a 1 t i s c u t a

How., C o c c o ]) h a o- us 1 e c a n i i

Fitch and !> 1 a s t o t h r i x s e r i c e a

Dalm. The first named, represented

at figure 33 is a very strong-ly marked

though minute insect with remark-
able antennae shown in side \'iew at

figure 34. It will be noticed that the

second segment is enormousl\- dilated

and that it and the terminal one are

jet black. All of these species were y'sa Apiiyc? ..unuiipes, eniarse.i (..rii-iiKin

reared in some numl)ers and are ]jresumably of nearly
equal \alue as natural checks upon this pest.

Remedial measures. This species can probably
be controlletl most easily In" thorough spraying in

Fig. 34 Lateral view of ti.c . -,11- midsummcr with either a whale oil soa[) solution or
1 i p e s. much" eriarge'd keroseue emulsion, care being taken to api)ly the
'^""8"i^i> insecticide in sucli a wav as to drench all of the

delicate young.

Bibliography

1894 Murtfeldt, Mary E. U. S. Dcp't Agric . Div, Km. liul. 7,2, p. 42-43
1898 Pergande, Theo. U. S. Deji'i Agric. Div. Em. Bui. 18, n. s. p. 2C-29

Elm bark louse
Gossv/'ar/a spiD'ia Modeer
Unclersiik- of l-Iiii linilis may be thickly crowik-d in summer, witli reddish, woolly
bordered bark lice, about ' ',„ inch long, and the stones benealli infested trees are
fre()uemly moistened with tile e.xcreted honeydew.

The elms of New York State are unfortunate in suffering from the
attacks of two imported insects. The elm bark louse has proved itself a
worthy second of its predecessor, the elm leaf beetle, and though it may not
of itself be quiteso injurious as this pernicious leaf feeder, still its constant

204 •'^■KW YORK STATE MUSEUM

sappin*^ of clmf^ already weakened I)y rej)eated losses of their foliage is a
serious matter. Ihe extent of this drain is hardly appreciated till one
observes the damp sidewalks, which even the heat of summer can not dry,
and the hlackenins^^ funj^^us covering hroad leaf expanses, indicating the loss
of an equal amount of moisture, all drawn by these little creatures from
the struggling elms. On bright sunny days in June it is very easy to see
the exudations of these bark lice falling in showers from infested trees.

Introduction and distribution. This insect, like many of our worst insect
pests, is an introduced species. It was first brought to notice in this country
in 1884 b\- Mr Charles bremd, of Rye, Westchester co., X. V., who com-
plained that thousands of elms in his nursery were infested. This species
was probably accidentally imported several years previous to its discovery.
It has now become establishetl at a number of points in the I'nion, ha\ing
been recorded from Vermont, Massachusetts, District of Columbia, Michi-
gan, Nevada and California, besides localities in New York State. It is
known to occur on Long Island and in a number of places along the Hud-
son river north to Greenwich, and it has been received from Ogdensburg,
St Lawrence co. Thus, if this pest has not already attained a general dis-
tribution throughout the State, it is only a question of time before that will
occur.

Description. The adult females are by far the most conspicuous form
of this insect. They may be seen clustered along the underside of the
smaller limbs, usually beside a crAck or crevice in the bark, and presenting
a general resemblance to a growth of lichens. The full grown, viviparous
females are about ' ',„ inch long just Ixfore giving Ijirth to their young, oval
in outline and with slightly pointed extremities | pi. 3, fig. 16, 160' |. Each
is surrounded with a white, \vooly secretion, which also extends partly over
the insect antl thus renders its segmentalion more apparent.

The young are yellowish specks and may easily be recognized as they
move over the younger limbs and leaves [pi. 3, fig. 15]. They have an
elongated, oval form, roundcil anteriorly and ta[)(-ring posteriorly to a i)air
of pointed processes, each bearing a long and a sliort seta. The body .seg-

IXSECTS AFFECTIXG PARK AND WOODLAXD TREES 2O5

ments are marked by lateral spines and there is a row of six around the
anterior border of the head and an irregular row down the middle of the
back. The young soon become darker and tlnallv assume a yellowish red
color. The dorsum becomes covered with spiny, wax secreting processes,
and the general form of the young larva is retained [pi. 3, fig. 10, 13I.
The antenna of the female before impregnation is composed like that of
the young, of 6 sul^equal segments, the second ami third being the longest
and the fourth and fifth shortest. The antenna of the immature male has 6
nearly equal segments and a longer seventh.

The oval cottony cocoon of the male is well shown at figures 11, 12
plate 3. The presence of the perfect insect witliin may be known bv the
two long, protruding anal filaments. The male is not seen without special
search. It is a delicate, two winged, reddisli insect witli rather larcre
antennae, and a pair of white anal filaments nearly twice the length of its
body I ])1. 3, fig. 18 1. It moves slowl\- over the limbs in a clumsy way, is
not easily disturbed and rarely takes wing. A most interesting feature is
the occurrence of two forms. The normal one has alread)- been described,
but 10 days earlier than its occurrence there may be found large numbers
of males which are characterized by the possession of wing pads but no
wings. These are known as pseudimagos and 'one is represented at figure
17, plate 3. The reason for the existence of two forms of males is
unknown.

Life history. This insect is most conspicuous during the months of
April, ^Ia\' and June, at which time the females are preparing to give birth
to their )-oung, which make their appearance in the latitude of Albany early
in July. The new born insects move readily over the bark for a time and
then settle along the veins of the leaves, principally the midvein, and in
large numbers on the greener tips of the twigs. Occasionally a twig will
be almost yellow from the large number of young nearly covering it.
Others establish themselves in crevices among the old females. They
remain in these positions till into .September or later and then those on the
leaves migrate to the twigs. .Some do not take this precaution soon

206 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

enou_i,fh and are carried away on the falling leaves and scattered by the
winds. The winter is passetl as partly grown insects which are c|uite
well protected by a waxy secretion from tlie dorsal and lateral processes.
The first warm weather in s|)riiig brings signs of activity. Early in April
the females molt and the males form their cocoons. iKt this time many
travel considerable distances before establishing themselves; this is
special!)' true of the males, which are quite aj)t to spin cocoons on dead
twigs, lloneydew is excreted by the females in very large quantities
from this time till the young appear in July. This is evidently the period
when the insect is most injurious. The wingless males or pseudimagos
were present in large numlxrs May lo, 1900, while the perfect males were
not abundant till May 21 and there was a time between these dates when
no males could be found. .Soon after pairing there is a marked difference
in the apj^earance of the female. Her form changes from eliptic [pi. 3,
fig. 14 I to oval I pi. 3, fig. 16 1 and the secretion of the wax is much more
copious and is mainl\- from tlic lateral spines insteatl of from both lateral
and dorsal, as occurred in the fall.

This bark louse, like the elm leaf beetle, a|)pears to thrive best on the
luiro])fan s])ecies of I'linus, specially the Scotch elm.

Means of distribution. This insect can be carried long distances on
young trees and it is untloul)leill\- in this wa\- that it has succeeded in
establishing itself at thi- wi(.lel\- separatetl ])oinls naini-d aljove. Its rapid
dissemination throughout a city is probably due to the agency of birds,
particularly the English sparrow. There appears to l)e no other adecpiate
e.xplanation of the geni-ral occurrence of this pest throughout .Mbany and
Troy. It is also possible that the young falling with the leaves are blown
to new localties and succeed in establishing themselves on uninfested trees.
This latter means is so uncertain, com|)ared with birds which habitually fly
from tree to tree, that it can not be considered as a source of much danger.

Natural enemies. It is very i)robable that a number of lad)beetles in
both atlull and larval condition feed to some extent on the young of this
insect. The two spotted ladybeetle. Ad alia I1 i ]i u n c t a t a Linn., has

INSECTS AFFECTIXC PARK AND WOODLAXD TREES 20/

been seen in considerable numbers about inft-stcd trees in Albany but it
was not observed feeding on the pest. Many Hies and other insects are
attracted to infested limbs by the abundant honeydew.

Remedies. Spraying with a contact insecticide, kerosene emulsion or a
whale oil soap solution, is probabh' the best remedy for this insect. This
treatment will be most effective if given early in the spring just after the
hibernated forms have molted or soon after the \'oung make their appear-
ance. A solution four times the normal strength is necessar\- to kill the
insects late in the fall. Small trees have been effectually cleaned by
going over them with a stiff brush and tliis wouUl be more effecti\'e
were it done in early spring and the brush kept well wetted with kerosene
emulsion or whale oil soap solution. A good stream of cold water would
be much better than nothing and when directed against the masses of
females could hardly fail to wash off large numbers. This latter method is
advisable only where a good head of water and hose is convenient.

Bibliography
1896 Lintner, J. A. Ins, N. V. uth Rep't, \>. 292-98

1898 Felt, E. P. N. V. State Mus. l!ul. 20. p. lo-iS

1899 Fish. Game and For. Com. 5tli Rep't, p. 375-7J

Elm scurfy scale

Cli/onasp/s autcricana Johns.
A wliitish, irregularly oval insect, about ' ;-; inch in length, and with a yellowish speck
at the slightly elongated anterior point, may frequently be observed on .American elms.

This species appeared to be a very common one in Xew York State,
for all that it was not characterized till 1S95. The reason for this is that in
all probability it has l:)een confused with the e.\ceedingl_\- common, widely
distributed scu,rfy scale, Chionaspis furfurfa bitch.

This species sometimes becomes ver\- abundant and is destructive to a
certain extent, but in Xew York .State at least we have met with very few
trees which showed serious injury as a result of its presence.

Life history. The insect passes the winter in the itg'g stage, the \oung

208 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

apjjcarin^f at Amherst Mass., accordinir to Professor Cooley, about the
middle of May and all cmcrtrintf within a very short time. Professor John-
son's observations show that the insect is two br(;(jded and that the females
confme themselves to the Iiark of the tree, and may be found from the
trunk to the very tips of the twigs. The males occur both on the bark and
on the underside of the leaves. The female is stated to lay about 70 eggs
as a rule, Init the number varies from a very few to about 85.

Distribution. This is a native American species and appears to have a
wide range, il having bt^en recorded from a numJKir of eastern and western
states.

Description. The eggs are about ' 12 inch in length, ellipsoidal and pur-
plish in color. The young are about ' 5 inch in length, oval in outline,
broadest posteriorly, reddish, and with distinct anal filaments, about as long
as the width of the middle of the body. The female scale is usually
broatlest near the middle, about ' ,s inch in length, conve.x, moderately thick
and white, though often coated i)y black ])articles from the bark. The
exuviae are long, brown, frequently almost completely hidden by the adher-
ent coatings.

Natural enemies. Professor Johnson has reared two parasites from this
insect, P e r i s s o p t e r u s pulchellus How. and Physcus vari-
cornis How. He has also observed the j'oung and adults of the twice
stabbed latlvbug, C h i 1 o c o r u s b i v u 1 n e r u s Muls., feeding on it.

Bibliography
i(S99 Cooley, R. A. Mass. Agric l'"xp. Sta. Sjiec. liul. p. 41-43

Tuliptree scale
Iutlcca)iiit)ii t iilipi ferae Cook

Large, nearly hemispheric brownisli scales occurring in clustered masses on the
underside of the limbs of tuliptrces.

The tuliptree is comiiKinK- unalfccicd b_\- insects, but in this large
species of PLulecanium it finds an enemy that occasionally causes con-
siderable injury. Several twigs from a tuliptree, showing a very bad con-

INSECTS AFFECTIXG PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 2O9

dition of affairs [pi. 12, fig. 6|, were received Oct. i i, 1898, from Mr Alfred
Pell, of Highland P'alls N. V., with an inquiry as to the nature of the
attack. The insects were so crowded on portions of the bark, that the old
scales were huddled together and badly deformed. Under a lens it was
seen that thousands of young had established themselves in the immediate
vicinity of their parents, almost covering the bark in many places, while a
few occurred along the veins of the leaves. The j'oung were still issuing
from the parents, as a number of paler individuals were to be seen crawling
over the twigs. Branches of jNI a g n o 1 i a s o u 1 a n g e a n a badly infested
by this species have also been received recently from Fishkill.

Earlier injuries by this species. In 1878 this scale insect was men-
tioned by Professor Cook as one that frequently destroys tuliptrees in
Michigan. He states it was so abundant in 1870 on the college grounds at
Lansing Mich., that some of the trees were killed outright and others much
injured. In the Rural Nci^.' Yorker of May 10, 1890, a more serious
outbreak of this species is recorded at River Edge, Bergen co., N. J
Three years before, the tuliptrees in that vicinit)- were attacked l)y this
scale insect, and at the time the notice was written, not only had trees in
front yards been rendered worthless, but the lower branches of those grow-
ing wild had been killed. .Severe injuries to tuliptrees in 1896 at. Hartford
Ct., have been reported by Dr Sturgis of the Connecticut Agricultural
E.Nperiment Station, and Dr J. B. Smith of New Jersey, observed a serious
attack by this insect the same year in his State.

Description. The adult females are among the largest of those belong-
ing to the genus | pi. 12, hg. 6 1. Some received measured s/i^ inch in
diameter. The scale is light brown, mottled with dark Iiroivn, and very
convex. The under surface is concave, and in the examples before the
writer, there are two pairs of ventral, transverse, white lines composed of
short cottony filaments, one on each side near the middle and the tjblicpie
pair nearer one extremity, probably the anterior. Both are interrupted in
the middle. The young [pi. 12, fig. 8, 9] at this time [October] rang(? in
color from a lieht brown to almost black. The abdominal segments are

2IO NEW YORK STATE MLSEUM

sharply defined, the caudal extremity is notched, and from the tips of the
last segment there extends a pair of delicate Idaments. The \'oung have a
general resemblance to tiny trilobites.

Life history. No signs of eggs were to be G2en, though Professor
Cook describes them as small, yellow and oval. On examining the adults,
a number of young were found underneath. Apparently the species^ is
viviparous in this latitude, as recorded of it farther south by Dr Riley. In
Florida all stages have been observed during the winter, ami it hibernates
as larvae at Washington I"). C, according to Dr Riley. The numerous
young on the branches and those still issuing would indicate that the larvae
must hibernate in New York. The only observed difference in October
between those which had issued some time before and those emerging, was
in the color. The older ones still retained the larval form, but they had
turned black, were closely applied to the bark and attached by a slender
thread. In this condition they were apparently ready for hibernation, since
on being disturbed there was no effort to move off, as in the case of
younger individuals.

There is probably but one annual generation in this latitude, as there
is little chance that young would be produced earlier here than in .Mich-
igan, where they appear late in August as stated by Professor Cook.

This insect produces a large amount of honeydew, which has a nau-
seating odor. A parasite, Coccophagus f la vosc u t e 1 1 u m Ashm.,
has been reared from this scale insect, as recorded by Dr Howard.

Remedies. In case of a bad infestation, it would be well to scrape all
the old insects from the branches in the autumn, and then treat the infested
limbs with either whale oil soap or kerosene emulsion. This, if undertaken
before many young have emerged, should nearly free the affected trees.

Bibliography
1898 Felt, E. P. X. Y. St.ite Ent. i4tli Rep't. N. V. State Mus. Bui. 23, p. 213-16

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 211

Oyster scale

Lcpidosaphcs iiliiti Linn.

A brownish oyster shell-like si ale, about 'a iiK li loni;, may be foiind on a consider-
able number of food plants though usually more abundant on ash antl balm of (lik-ad.

This is one of our more common scale insects, well known to many
fruit growers because of its occurring- on apple, pear and other trees pro-
ducing- valuable fruits. It is also occasionally quite abundant on some of
our forest trees and the writer has observed a numb(;r of case s where ash
saplings of considerable size have become literally incrusted with this
insect and died. It is sometimes nearly as abundant on l)alm of Gilead
and some poplars, though these trees do not as a rule succumb so readily to
attacks b\- this insect. This species has been noticed so many times that
only a brief summary of its life history and habits is ad\'isable in this
connection.

Description. The adult female scale is about 's inch long, usuallv
slightlv cur\ed and widening from a slender tip to a broad rounded pos-
terior end. The scale has at its anterior end a yellowish \ery .small pel-
licle, the first cast skin of the \-(Hmg, and the small scale three times its
size attached to it. There is usually a larger or second cast skin, to which
is attached the largest or chief part of the scale which is of a varialilc
brown color marked with ciu'ved, transverse lines or wrinkles. The female
is found beneath the scale, and when alive is a yellowish, legless, wingless,
eyeless form about ' u inch in length. The female scale turned over in
winter will l)e founil t(.) contain a large numl)er of minute whitish eggs, and
near its anterior end the shriveled yellow or brown body of the female
may be detected. The recently hatched young are very minute, j'ellowish,
and t(j the naked eye appear like specks \scc \A. 13, fig. 9-14].

Life history. This insect ])roduces but one generation amuially in the
northern states though in the south there may be two. The winter is
passed in the egg under the protecting scale of the female, and the young
appear from the middle of May to early June, and in the case of badly
infested trees, parts of the twigs may be lite-rally yellow because of their

NEW VOUK STATE ML'SEUM

<a^^;

j^^^*^***^.*.^

aljundancc. Professor Lowe has observed them at Geneva N. V.. as earlv
as May 7. They soon settle in a place and begin sucking nourishment
from the underlying bark tissues, and in about 2 days, white waxy filaments
extend from the back of the \()ung. and when numerous, the infested
branches are adorned with patches of wiiite woolly matter. This excre-
tion mats down and soon forms a protective covering which is supple-
mented later by the cast skins of the insect. I-'uliy developed females may
be found about the first of August and egg laying begins soon after and is
completed by the latter part of the month or early in September. One
'emale deposits from 50 to 100 eggs.

Food plants- This
species is of economic
g^. importance chiefly on
= account of its depreda-
tions on some of our
more valuable fruit trees
as previously pointed out.
It also occurs on ash and
poplars in considerable
p. ,•,••, r- , , . ,w „ , numbers and has been

FlK. 35 A » p 1 d 1 o t 1 p h .1 K u s c i t r i ii ii s Crriw., grf.-itly enlarged. (After How.ircl.

Insect Lite. i3>v4. 6:..,) recordc'd on willow, lin-

den, horse-chestnut, elm, sugar and swamp maple.

Natural enemies. ;\ small hymenopterous maggot was observed by
I )r I'ilch to live on tlie eggs of this ])est. What was in all iirobaliility the
same jjarasite was described by Dr Le Baron some years later as A phel i-
nus m )t i 1 asp id i s, which he found had destroyed from about 50;; to
6o;« of the scales. .\ p li e 1 i n u s f u s c i p e n n i s How. is recorded as a
most efficient parasite of this scale in California. A s p i d i o t i p h a g u s
citrinus Craw, has been reared from this pest in that state. The
accompan\ing figure will give a good itlea of the appearanct? of these tiny
Chalcids. The best evidence of their work is the small circular holes in
Hie dead scales, orifices by which these little friends have escaped.
.\plielinus abnormis llow. is another parasite of this bark louse.
.\ n a p h e s gracilis H ow. and C h i 1 o n e u r u s d i a s p i d i n a r u m
How. have also been reared from this insect.

IXSECTS AFFECTIXG PARK AXU WOODLAXD TREES 213

Coccinellid or ladybeetle larvae prey on this species, and certain mites,
like T y r o y i y p h u s m a 1 u s Shimer, an; also credited with this habit. A
French investigator has apparently shown that this Tyroglyphus does
not feed on the eggs, but a species is described under the name of Hem i-
s a r c o p t e s c o c c i s u g u s Lign., which does valiant service in destroying
them.

Three European birds, the blue tit, the long tailed tit and the tree
creeper are known to feed on this insect.

Remedies. The hatching of the young the latter part of May renders
it practicable to control this insect by ap|)lying a contact insecticide about
June I in order to kill the young scale insects before they are protected by
a thick scale.

Bibliography
1S56 Fitch, Asa. Ins. X, Y. ist Rep't, p. 31-38

1S94 Howard, L. O. U. S. Dep't Agric. Year liook. 1894. p. 254-59
1901 Felt, E. P. \. Y. State Mas. Bui. 46, j). 297-300

Euonymus scale

C/uoiiaspis cnoiiynii Comst.
Dirty blackish scale insects, about '/.e inch in length and with one or more yellowish
specks at the smaller end, may be found on Euonymus and Celastrus associated with large
numbers of small snow-white tricarnate scales, on on; end of which is a yellowish oval
cast skin.

This insect is evidently a southern species, which ranges as far north
as New York city, and extends up the Hudson river valley for a short
distance. It has been lirought to the writer's attention on several occasions
because of its great abundance on Euonymus. This species appeared to be
specially numerous in i8gg, Avhen it was received by the writer from
Fishkill, where it occurred on Euon)-mus ; from Great Neck N. Y., where
it abounded on lilac, and from Irvington. where it thrived on I'runus
pissardi and was stated to be present on other shrubs. It was also
received in 1900 from Blauvelt X. Y.. where it infested Celastrus
scandens. [.SYv pi. 14, tig. 10-13 for colored tigiu-es of this pest and
its work]

2 I J. NEW YORK STATE ML"SEUM

This species has received very little attention at the hands of economic
entonioloj^Msts, though our experience in this State would appear to show
that at times it may become very abundant and correspondingly injurious
to the plant. Professor Comstock records this insect as having been foimd
in great numbers by Dr Howard on orange trees in Louisiana and he
states that he has received it from Havana, from which place he thinks it
may possibly have been imported into this country. I'rof. T. I). A.
Cockerell has recorded the reception of this species on plants imported
from Iai)an, indicating that the insect has an extended distribution.

A single parasite, Aphelinus fuscipennis How., has been
reared at the I'nited .States Department of Agriculture from this insect.

Remedial measures. Experiments comlucted b)' L)r C. L. IMarlatt
against this insc-ct have demonstrated that the )oung coukl be killed with a
standard kerosene emulsion diluted with 9 parts of water, and that in order
to destroy the adults it was necessary to employ an emulsion of four times
that strength, or the standard emulsion diluted with but 2'^ parts of water.
He states that owing to the hatching period of this insect extending over a
number of weeks and the intermingling of broods later in the season, it is
difficult to control.

Bibliography

1881 Comstock, J. A. I'. S. Dop'i .\'^r\r. R<|i't iSSo. p. 313-14

Scurfy scale
C/iifl)iasp/s fiir/iira Fitch

A whitish, scurfy ap])earance on the trunks and limbs of certain trees may be due to
the [iresence of large numbers of this scale insect. The female scale is irregular, oval,
with a yellowish point and about '-',0 inch in lengih. The male scale is three ridged,
snow while, with a yellowish ])oint at one extremity.

This exceedingly con^mon s]>ecies is of interest in this connection
largely on account of its occurring so abundantly on the Japanese quince.
It is sometimes ])resent in such large ninnbers that the bark is nearly
covered with ilirty white, scurflike j)a*ches and it is from this that the pop-
tilar name of the insect has been tlerived.

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES

215

Description. The fresh female scale is irreg-ularly oval in outline,
about ' 10 inch in diameter, and with a slight prolongation tipped with a
yellow speck, which latter is the early cast skin. The male scales are
elongate, narrow, and consist of a small yellowish pellicle on one end of a
much larger, tricarinate white scale. The turning over of an adult female
scale in late winter will usually uncover a mass of purplish eggs. The youno-
are active, reddish, and to the naked eye appear as small, snowy specks.

Life history. The winter is passed by this species as eggs underneath
the protective scale of the female, and the young appear from about the
middle to the last of Ma)-. They soon establish themselves at favorable
points on the liark of the trunk
and branches, and begin drawing
nourishment from the underh'ing
tissues. Occasional 1\" the)' settle
in numbers on the fruit, in which
case they may be surrounded by
an irregular reddish area. The
young grow rapidly, pass through
several molts, and in the latter
part of August or early in Septem-
ber, 30 to 75 purplisli eggs may
be found under the scale. There
is but one generation in the

Northern States, though it is (After Howard, insect Ufe. i3q4. 7:7)

stated that two and possibly three may occur in one season in the
Southern States.

Food plants. This species, has a special fondness for Japanese quince.
It has been recorded by Dr Howard as so abundant on mountain ash in
the Catskill mountains, that hardly a twig or liranch was uninfested. Aside
from cultivated fruit trees, it is known to occur on the following food
plants : chokecherry, wild red cherry, shad bush, cherry currant, wild (lower-
ing currant, black walnut and black alder (C 1 e t h r a alni folia). It is

2l6 NEW YORK STATE MLSELM

possible that more than one species may have been confused, though
Mr Kint,'^ has recently compiled a list of 23 food plants on which this form
is sail' to occur.

Distribution. This species is common over a large proportion of New
\'urk -SiatL', and has been recorded from most of the Eastern and some of
the Western States, and also from Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and
Prince lulward Island.

Natural enemies. One hymenopterous parasite, A bier us clisio-
campae Ashm., has been bred from this scale insect by Dr Howard.
Two Coccinellids, H y p e r as p i d i u s species and C h i 1 o c o r u s 1) i v u 1-
ner u s Muls., the twice stabbed ladybeetle, prey on this pest. The latter
is stated to be a specially valuable enemy.

Remedies. The recommendations for controlling this ir.sect are the
sanir as those advised for the oyster scale, to which the reader is referred.

Bibliography

1856 Fitch, Asa. Ins. N. Y. 3(1 Rep't, p. 34-35

1894 Howard, L. O. U. S. Dep't Agric. Year Book, p. 259-6:

1901 Felt, E. P. X. Y. State Mus. Bui. 46, p. 300-4

San /ose scale
Aspidiotiis pcrniciosiis Comst.

.\ circular, grayish or yellowish scale insect, al)out Vi'> in<'li ir> diameter, and
frequently surrounded by large numbers of much smaller, nearly black scales having a
central nipijlc and one or two grayish rings.

This introduced species has become so well kncnvn to fruit growers
that we commonly think of it as depredating almost entirely on fruit trees.
Such is not the case as this species occurs on a large number of other trees
and may be very abundant on the flowering quince in particular. It also
thrives on a ninnljcr of other plants grown in [)arks for ornamental jjurposes
and a brief account of this species is therefore included in this work.

Description. This species is more readily recognized by its effect on
the tree or shrub than by the characteristics of the individual. Trees which
have been badlv infested for some time have a routdi bark coveretl with

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 21 7

dark gray scurfy patches, and if this be rul)bed with the oblique edge of a
knife or even witli the fingernail, an oily yellowish substance will be
crushed from the living insects under tlu; scales. This species breeds so
rapidly that it is not uncommon to find a large number on trees previously
comparatively free. Their presence under such circumstances is indicated
by a peculiar granular look and those familiar with the normal appearance
of the bark know that something is wrong. The plant tissues immediately
under the living scales are almost sure to have a! reddish discoloration, and
the fruit leaves and green twigs are usually marked by red blotches
encircling the scales [pi. 13, fig. 5].

The adult female is usually about 1/16 inch in diameter, nearly circular,
and with a central dark nipple, and one or more well defined yellow rings.
The young scales are nearl)^ black, have a central nipple, and one or two
grayish rings. The largest scales are just about the size of the head of an
ordinary pin, while the small ones are mere dots and resemble black specks
on the twig [pi. 13, fig. 6, 7 and 8]. The full grown female under one of the
larger scales is yellow, usually somewhat kidney-shaped, and without legs,
eyes or wings. She is, however, provided with a very long, slender pro-
boscis which is used to draw nourishment from the underlying plant tissues.

Life history. The winter is passed by this insect in a partly grown
dormant condition. \'ital activities are resumed with the approach of
warm weather, and the first outward indications of life are seen in the
appearance of winged males and later of the crawling young, the latter
appearing in this latitude toward the last of June. The females produce
young for a period of about six weeks according to Dr Howard, averaging
about 400, or from 9 to 10 every 24 hours. The eggs develop within the
mother and the young are born alive. They may be seen as tiny yellow
specks escaping from under the maternal scale from which they wander in
search of a favorable place to establish themselves. This pilgrimage is
limited to a few hours, a little over 2ji,^ hours as determined by Professor
Lowe. The young soon establishes itself, inserts its slender proboscis
in the bark and begins to feed. The develojjment of the scale begins even
before the young has selected its feeding place, as very minute waxy fila-

2l8 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

ments, wliich spring from all parts of the body rapidly, become thicker and
slowly mat down to form the circular white scale with a depressed ring and
central elevation. This gradually darkens and in a few days is black or
dark gray with one or more lighter rings. Several molts take place and the
males attain maturity in from about 24 to 26 days from birth, according to
I)r Howard, while the females require from 33 to 40 days in the latitude of
Washington. This species breeds in the vicinity of Albany from the latter
part of June through October and appears to develop three generations
normally with the possibility of a fourth under exceptional circumstances.

Food plants. This species is able to exist on a large number of food
plants, as is evidenced by the recent list ' prepared by Prof. W. E. Britton,
state entomologist of Connecticut. Professor Britton has gone to consid-
erable trouble in preparing this, consulting entomologists throughout the
country, and the l)are list of plants is reproduced below.

List of hardy trees, shrubs and vines commonly or badly infested

.\cacia sp. Poi)ulu.s d c 1 1 o i d e s Marsh. Carolina

Akebia s[). New York. poplar.

Akebia qu in a t a Decaisne. P o p u 1 u s nigra Linn. var. italica

Amelanchier canadensis Medic. l^uRoi. Lombardy poplar.

and other species. Shadbush, Junel)crry. P r u n u s a m y g d a 1 u s Stokes. Almond.

CI t ru s t r i f oliat a Linn. Primus armeniaca Linn. Apricot.

Corn us alba Linn. var. sibirica Prunus avium Linn. Sweet cherry.

Lodd. P r u n u s p u m i 1 a Linn.

C o r n u s b a i 1 e y i Coult & Evans. Prunus j) u m i 1 a var. b e s s e y i Waugh.

Corn us sanguine a Linn. Sand cherry.

Co tone aster s])? Prunus cerasifera Ehrh. var. a t r o-

Coto nea ster v ul garis Lindl. purpurea Dipp. (P. pissardi)

Crataegu s sjj. Hawthorn. Purple-leaved plum.

Cra t aegu s cordat a Soland. Prunus d o m e s t i c a Linn. European

Crataegus o .\ y a c a n t h a Linn., Kng- plum.

iish hawthorn. Prunus hortulana Bailey. Wild

Crataegus c o c c i n e a Linn. goose plum.

Crat aegu s cru s-galli Linn. P r u n u s j a p o n i c a Thunb. Flowering

Cydonia vulgaris Pers. Quince. almond.

Cy d on i a j a]) on i c a Pers. Japanese or Prunus maritima AVaugh. Beach

flowering (|uince. plum.

Fag us sylvatica Linn. var. i)uri)u- Prunus persica Sieb. & Zucc. Peach.

rea .-Mt. European purple-leaved beech. Prunus tri flora Roxbg. Japanese

J u g I an s s i ebo 1 d i an a Maxim. Japan- plum.

ese walnut. Prunus scroti n a Ehrh. Cherry.

Li gust ru m V u Igare Linn. Privet. Prunus virginiana Linn. Choke-

Populus sp. Poplar. cherry.

■ 1903. Britton, W. E. Ct. State Ent. 2d Rep't. 1902. p. 132-37

INSECTS AFFECTIXG PARK AND WOODLAXD TREES

219

Ptelea trifoliata Linn. Hoptree. Acer s a c c h a r i n u ni . \\'eir's cut

Pyrus communis Linn. Pear. leaved maple.

Pyrus sinensis Lindl. Sand pear, in- Acer p 1 a t a 11 o i d c s Linn. Norway

eluding Kieffer. maple.

Pyrus baccata Linn. Act in id ia arguta Mig. (.\. p o 1 y-

Pyrus malus Linn. Apple. gam a).

Pyrus sp. Crab apiple. Aesculus h i !> p o c a s t a n e u m Linn.

R i b e s o .\ y a c a n t h o i d e s Linn. Goose- Horse-chestnut.

berry. A Inns sji. Alder.

Ribes aureum Pursh. Missouri or Ampelopsis (j u i n ([ u e f o 1 i a Michx.

flowering currant. N'irginia creeper.

Ribes rubrum Linn. Currant. ISetula sp. liirch.

Ribes nigrum Linn, lilack currant. 15 e t u 1 a alba Linn. Cut lea\cd white

Rosa sp. Rose. birch.

Rosa Carolina Linn. I! u .x u s spi. liox.

Rosa 1 u c i d a Ehrli. Cast a n e a a m eric a n a Raf. Chestnut.

R o s a vi r g i n i a n a Mill. Catal[)a sp.

Rosa rugosa Thunb. Catalpa bignonoides ^\'alt. Com-

Salix sp. Willow. mon catalpa.

S a 1 i X 1 u c i d a Muhl. C e a n o t h u s a m e r i c a n a Linn.

Salix pentandra Linn. Laurel Celt is occiden talis Linn.

leaved willow. C e r c i d i p h y 1 1 u m j a j) o n i c u m Sieb.

Salix vitellina Linn. & Zucr.

Salix b a b y 1 o n i c a Linn. Weeping Citrus a u r a n t i u m Linn.

willow. C o r n u s a 1 t e r n i f o 1 i a Linn.

Salix h u m i 1 i s Marsh. C o r n u s s t o 1 o n iter a .Michx.

Salix i n c a n a Schrank. C o r n u s c i r c i n a t a L'Herit.

Sorb us sp. Mountain ash. Corn us a m o m u m Mill.

Sorb us americana Marsh. ,\meri- Cornus candidissima Marsh.

can mountain ash. Cornus florid a Linn.

S o r b u s a u c u p aria Linn. European Cornus f 1 n r i d a. Red flowering cornus.

mountain ash. I) e u t z i a s|).

Sorb us melanocarjia C. Koch. Diospyros virginiana Linn. Per-

(.\ronia nigra Koehne.) Pihu k simmon.

chokeberrv. Elaegnus sp.

S V m p h o r i c a r [) u s r a c e m o s u s Elaegnus 1 o n g i p e s Gray. Silver

Mich.x. Snowberry. thorn.

Syringa vulgaris Linn. Lilac. Eucalyptus sp.

Syringa p e r .s i c a Linn. Persian lilac. Euonymus s]).

T i 1 i a s]x Basswood, Linden. F i c u s c a r i c a Linn. Fig.

T i I i a americana Linn. .American F o r s y t h i a sp.

linden or basswood. Fraxinus sp. Ash.

Toxylon pomiferum Raf. Osage F' r a x i n u s americana Linn. White

orange. ash.

L7 1 m u s sp. Elm. G 1 e d i t s c h i a t r i c a n t h o s Linn. Honey

LJ 1 m u s americana Linn, .\merican locust.

elm. Hibiscus svriacus Linn. .Shrid)by

Ulmus c a m p e s t r i s Smith. English or althea.

European elm. Hicoria ]) e c a n Brilt. Pecan nut.

luglans nigra Linn. Black walnut.

Occasionally or rarely infested juglans regia Linn. Persian or Eng-

Acer sp. .Maple. lish walnut.

Acer saccharin um Linn. Silver Kalmia latifolia T.inn. Mountain

maple. laurel.

NEW YORK STATE ML'SEUM

K f r r i a j a p o n i c a DC. Globo flower,
JajjariL-sc rose.

L i g u s t r II 111 ovali folium Ilassk.
California privet.

Lonicera sj). Honeysuckle.

Morns sp. Mulberry.

Morus sp. Tea's weeping nnilberry.

1' h y s o c a r p u s o p u 1 i f o 1 i u s Ma.xim.

Picea alba Link. White s])ruce.

Prunus cerasus Linn. Sour cherry.

P h o t i n i a v i 1 1 o s a UC.

Rhodotypos kerrioides Sieb. &
Zucc.

Rhus sp. Sumac.

Rhus cotinus Linn. Smoke bush.

Robin ia sp. Locust.

Rubus strigosus Mich.x. Red rasp-
berry.

Rubus nigrobaccus Bailey. ( R. v i 1-
1 o s u s). Common blacki)erry.

Rubus V i 1 1 o s u s Ait. ( R. c a n a d e n-
s i s). Dewberry.

Sainbucus sp. Elder.

Sassafras officinale Xees. Sassa-
fras.

Sorb aria sorbifolia .\. Braun. (S j) i-
raea sorbifolia L.)

Spiraea sp.

Thuya occidental is Linn. Arbor
vitae.

V i b u r n u m sj).

V i b u r n u m c a s s i n o i d e s Linn.

V i 1) u r n u m o p u 1 u s Linn.

V i t i s SJ). Ci rapes.

Not infested

A i 1 a n t ii u s g 1 a n d u 1 u s a Desf. Tree
of Heaven.

A m o r p h a f r u t i c o s a Linn.

A n d r o m e d a sp.

Aralia spinosa Linn. Hercules' club.

A r i s t o 1 o c h i a ni a c r o p li y 1 1 a Lam.
Dutchman's pipe.

Asimina triloba Dun. Papaw.

B a c c h a r i s h a 1 i m i f o 1 i a Linn.
Croundsel tree.

Benzoin odoriferum Xees. (I.indcra
Benzoin Blume.) Sjiicebush.

B e r b e r i s (all species). Barberry, includ-
ing Mahonia.

B i g n o n i a sp. Trumpet vine.

Caly can thus floridus Linn. Caro-
lina allspice, sweet scented shrub.

Carpinus sp. Hornbeam.
C e d r u s sp. Cedar.

Celastrus scandens Linn. Bitter-
sweet.
C e p h a 1 a n t h u s o c c i d e n t a 1 i s Linn.

Buttonbush.
Cercis canadensis Linn. Judas tree,

Redbud.
(" h a ni a e d a ]) h n e c a 1 y c u 1 a t a

Moench. (C! a s s a n d r a.) Leather leaf.
C h i o n a n t h u s v i r g i n i c a Linn.

l-'ringetree.
C 1 a d r a s t i s t i n c t o r i a Raf. Vellow-

wood.
Clethra alnifolia Linn. Sweet pep-

perbush.
Corylus sp. Filbert. Hazelnut.
D a J) h n e m e z e r e u m. Linn.
D i e r V i 1 1 a sp. \\'eigela.
Dirca palustris Linn. Leathenvood,

nioosevvood.
E .X o c h o r d a g r a n d i f 1 o r a Liudl.

Pearl bush.
G a y 1 u s s a c i a sp. Huckleberry.
Genista tinctoria Linn. Dyer's

greenweed.
Ginkgo biloba Linn. Maidenhair-
tree.
G y m n o c 1 a d u s canadensis Lam.

Kentucky Coffee tree.
Halesia tetraptera Linn. Silver

bell, Snowdro]) tree.
H a m a m e 1 i s v i r g i n i a n a Linn.

Witch-hazel.
Hedera h e 1 i ,\ Linn. English ivy.
Hicoria sp. (Excepting H. pecan

Britt.) Hickory.
Hydrangea (all species).
H y jj e r i c u m m o s e r i a n u m Aiulre.

Gold flower.
Ilex sp.

Itea virginica Linn. Virginian willow.
J a s m i n u m n u d i f 1 o r u m Lindl. Yel-
low jasmine.
Juglans cinerea Linn. Butternut.
J u n i p e r u s sp. Juniper.
Koelreuteria paniculata Laxm.

Varnish tree.
Laburnum vulgar e Griseb. Golden

chain.
L a r i X sp. Larch.
Liquid am bar styraciflua Linn.

Sweet gum.

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 221

L i r i o d e n d r o n t u 1 i p i f e r a Linn. S c i a d o p i t v s v e r t i c i 1 1 a t a Sieb. &

'I'uliinree. Ziicc. I'mhrclla pine.

L y c i u m h a 1 i ni i f o 1 i u m Mill. Matri- S h e |) li c r d i a sp.

mony vine. S ni i 1 a x sj).

Magnolia (all sjiecies). S o |i h o r a jajionica Linn. Japanese

Myrica cerifera Linn. Wax mvrtlc. ])agoda tree.

Nyssa sylvatica Marsii. Tii])elo, Staphylea sp. liladder nut.

Pepperidge, Black gum, Sour gum. S t e |:i h a n a n d r a fie x u o s a Sieb. &

Ostrya virgin ica AVild. Hornbeam, Zucc.

Ironwood. Sty rax j a p o n i f; a Sieb. X: Zucc.

Paulo w n i a i m p e r i a 1 i s Sieb. & Zucc. '1' a m a r i x sp.

P h e 1 1 od e n d r o n sp. T a x o d i u m distichum Rich. Bald

Philadelphus coronarius Linn. cypress.

Mock orange, syringa. T a x u s sp. Vew,

Pinus sp. Pine. T e c o m a radicans Jtiss. Trumpet

P 1 a t a n u s o c c i d e n t a 1 i s Linn, .\mer- creejter.

ican plane. Buttonwood. Tsuga canadensis Carr. Common

Potentilla frnticosa Linn. hemlock.

Q u e r c u s (ajl species). Oak. \' a c c i n i u m sp.

Retinispora (all species). Japan Wistaria sp.

cypress. X a n t h o c e r a s s o r b i f o 1 i a ISunge.

R h a m n u s sp. But kthorn. X a n t h o x y 1 u m a m e r i c a n u m Mill.

Rhododendron s]). Prickly ash.

The above list shows a very wide range of food plants, and it will
undoubtedly prove of considerable value to parties setting- out trees in
sections where this pest occurs, since it may be possible in man}' instances,
to select species not liable to serious injury, a procedure which might
result in material saving in the course of a few years. It is also well to
call attention in tliis connection to the limited means of dispersal possessed
by this species, and on large estates in particular, it would probably be
advantageous to have the surrounding trees, so far as possiiile without
interfering with more important ])Ians, largely of species unfavorable
to the development of the scale. This would materially lessen the danger
of its being brought on the place, and the likelihootl that control work
would be marred by the indifference of adjacent landowners would be
much diminished.

Means of dissemination. The method of spread is of considerable
importance, particular!)' in places where this scale has not become estab-
lished. It is conveyed long distances almost entirely by nursery stock and
there is very great danger in budding from infested stock, since this scale
insect has a marked tendency to gather about buds and other rough portions

NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

of tilt! Ijark. Aside from this, the pest can be spread only by the crawling
young being carried either by birds, other insects or animals. The first
three can hardly be controlled. Great care should be taken during the
breeding season not to allow men and teams which have been working
among infested trees to go directly to uninfested ones, since the scale is
easily conveyed in this manner.

Distribution. This species has now attained a wide distribution in this
country; though it is still unknown in certain states, and in many is con-
fined to more or less restricted localities. It appears to be particularly
al)undant about some of our larger eastern cities, such as Xew York.
Recent investigations of Dr C. L. Marlatt seem to have established the fact
that the original home of this species is in northern China.

Natural enemies. A number of true parasites have been reared from
this scale insect. A n a p h e s gracilis How. was obtained from infested
twigs taken in Charles county ( Md. ) and A s p i d i o t i p h a g u s c i t r i n u s

Craw, was bred from the .San
Jose scale in California. A p h e-
1 i n u s m y t i 1 a s p i d i s Le
Haron and A. f u s c i [) e n n i s
How. have been reared from
scales taken in a number of
localities in Maryland by Prof.
\V. G. Johnson. The latter
species was bred in large num-
bers by Prof. Johnson and
promises to become an impor-
tant aid in controlling this pest.
.\ very small black lady
beetle, P e n t i 1 i a m i s e 1 1 a
Lee, an American species feed-
ing on the .San Jose scale, was
found Ijv us in considerable

/

/

s^-,,' '.i_:i:i-;^-.

- , V-

Fis. 37. P c n t i 1 i a m i s c 1 1 a: a-beetle; /S-larva; r-pupa; rf-blos-
som cud of pear showinK scales with larv.'>e of Penlilia feeding on
them, and pup.ae of Penlilia attached within the calyx, all greatly
enlarged. lAfter Howard, U. S. Dcp't ARric. Div. F.nt. liiil. 3.

n. s. iS-,' »

INSECTS AFFECTING FARK AND WOODLAND TREES

223

numbers in an infested orchard near Albany. The beetle, in its various
stages, is represented in the accompanying figure. It is quite convex in
shape and only ' ,g inch long. The twice stabbed lady beetle, Chile-
corns I) i V u 1 n e r u s Muls., is another native form kn^wn to fccxl on this
pest. The beetle may be recognized by its jet black color relieved by two
red spots on its wing covers. Several lad)- beetles introduced into California
were colonized on trees infested with San Jose scale, and of these, three
have since been discovered feeding on the pest. The\- an- Ore us
c h a 1 }■ b e u s, O. a u s t r a 1 a s i a e and .S c )• m n u s 1 o [ > h a n t h a e.

There is another interesting natural enemy known as the Chinese lady
beetle, C h i 1 o c o r u s s i m i 1 i s Rossi, which has been recent))- introduced
by agents of the United .States
Department of Agriculture,
and may prove a valuable ally
in controlling this pernicious
scale insect, particularly in the
Southern States. It closel)-
resembles our native twice
stabbed lady beetle, C h i 1 o- j^
c o r u s b i V u 1 n e r u s Muls.,
presenting appreciable differ-
ences only in the larval stage. ^^
Its general appearance and
habits are well shown in
figures 38 and 39. .Several
attempts have been made to
introduce this species in Xew
York State, and while it bred
freely several seasons, it does
not appear to have withstood
our severe winters and it is
very doubtful whether material benefit will result from its presence. It

lu J8 Chinese lady I.eetle. Oviposilion .and early st.nges : n=bectk-
thnistiiiK ecg beneath scale; *=5Cale slightly raised showing cge
underneath; <-=scaIe elevated showing attachment of egg to its inner
surface; rt'^cgg within the scale; »-=^egg much enlarged to show-
sculpturing; y=eggs under flap of hark; ^=same, natural size;
//. /-dorsal and lateral views of recently hatched larvae; y-^sarae.
feeding on young and mature scales; all enlarged except g. (After
Marlatt, U. S. Uep't Agric. Vcar liook iqo2>

224

NEW YOKK STATE Ml"SEUM

seems to jjossess a greater fondness for scale insects than our native species
and may. in the course of years, prove of some service in checking these
pests.

A fungus; disease, S p h a e r o s t i 1 h a c o c c o p h i 1 a TuL, attacks this
pest, and in some localities it has killed a considerable number of the scale.s.
Prof. P. H. Rolfs credits this organism with practically exterminating the
pernicious scale in one Florida orchard and with reducing by considerable

the numbers of the
l^est in others. It is
undoubtedly a native
of Florida, as it is verv
common on C h r v-
s o m p h a 1 u s ■ o b-
scurus Comst. This
fungus was cultivated,
and new colonies of
scales infested, but un-
fortunately, like other
fungi it is very depend-
ent on favorable cli-
matic conditions, and
this limits its usefulness

Fi«. 3, Chines. l.dy bec.lc. Laner stages: „-seco„d larv:,l m..«c; /. cas. skin SerioUsK'. FuUgUS-iu-

ot same; .-full grown larva; ^-pupawi.hin split larval ski,,;. „ewly cmer...d f^^^^^^ ^^.^^]^^ ^^.^,,.^. ^^^^

adult; y— same, fully colored; all enlarged to
Dep't Agric. Year Book 1903)

Marlatt. V . S.

to other states, and the
disea.se was at least temporarily estal:)!islu'd in several i)laces. After the
disease has consumed tiie insect, an orange c(.h)i-ed protuberance forms at
the base of the scale or breaks through it, but, as this is only from ' 40 to
yi inch in hight, it is not \er\- apjjarent.

Remedial measures. Tiiis insect is very difficult to control because of
its exceeding prolihcac)', its resistance to insecticides, and particularly because
of its extended breeding season. It is a sucking insect and since it draws

IXSECTS AFFECTING PARK AXD WOODLAND TREES 225

its nourishment from underlyinn;- tissues, it can Ije controlled only by the use
of some substance powerful enou>^h to penetrate the covering; scale and
destroy the underlying insect. A large numljer of materials have been
employed for this purpose. The nearly naked crawling young are unpro-
tected and on that account easily killed. The great difficulty of attempting
to check the insect in this stage, is that )oung are produced during an
extended period and therefore the best results have been obtained bv the
use of materials powerful enough to penetrate the sheltering scale of the
adidt, and such materials are so strong that the\- can be applied to decid-
uous trei;s only when in a dormant condition. The best results, as a rule,
have been obtaineil by earl\- spring applications, preferably deferring the
treatment till shorth' l)efore the butls begin to open.

.\ wide \ariety of materials have been employed, prominent among
which ma\ be mentioned whale oil soap solution, kerosene emulsion, crude
l)etroleum and its emulsions and the lime-sulfur washes. 'Ihe whale oil
soap solution at the rate of 2 j)ounds to i gallon of water, is fairly effective
though costly, and in commercial orchards, has quite generally given way
to other materials. Both kerosene and crude petroleum in pure and
mechanical emulsions, have been employed to a considerable extent, but
in most cases the)' likewise have been displacetl 1)\' the cheaper, safer
lime-sulfur washes whicli, as a rule, have been most successful. There
are many formulas for these latter, some of which ha\'e Ijeen used for \'ears
and others developed within 12 months. The formulas for several excellent
washes and methods of preparing the same, have been given on page 39,
to which the reader is referred for further details. It is well to bear in
mind when fighting this insect, that thoroughness is absolutely essential, and
that it lies within the power of the man at the nozzle to make or mar the
entire work. It is advisable, before spraying, to cut the trees back as much
as possible, and in sections where this scale is prevalent, low heading will
doubtless become popular because of the greater ease in fighting this pest.
Another important point is to spray with the wind wherever conditions
permit, making the application on the other side of the trees when the wind

226 NEW VOKK STATE MUSEUM

is blowiriL; in an o[)posite direction, since it is almost impossible to thor-
oughly spray a tree, particularly a large one, without the aid of a favorable
breeze. S|jraying outfits are rather expensive, and a man with a few trees
will undoubteiily find it much cheaper to hire his spraying done, and in
some cases at least, cooperative neighborhood work will prove the most
economical and satisfactory method of controlling this dangerous pest.
The species has such a range of food plants that only in exceptional cases
is it advisable to attempt the extermination of the species in a locality.

Bibliography

1896 Lintner, J. A. Ins. X. \'. iith Rc|/t. )>. 200-33

1896 Howard, L. O. & Marlatt, C. L. U. S. Dep't Agric. Div. Ent. Bui. 4, n. s

p. I -So

1897 Lowe, V. H. N. Y. .Agric. E.xp. Sta. Bui. 136, p. 571-602

1898 Howard, L. O. U. .S. Dep't .Agric. Div. Ent. Bui. 12, n. s. p. 1-32

1900 Felt, E. P. State Ent. 16th Rep't. N. Y. State Mus. Bui. 36, p. 967-88

1901 X. V. State Mus. Bui. 46, p. 304-23, 336-42

1902 State Ent. 17th Kept. X. V. State Mus, Bui. 53, p. 761-75

Putnam's scale
Aspidiotits aitcyhis PutP.
Circular or oval, dark gray or black scale insects about ' ,2 inch in diameter, and
with a brick red cast skin or e.xuviae to one side of the center, may be met with in small
numbers on various native trees.

This is one of our most common native species of Aspidiotus and occa-
sionally it occurs in such large numbers as to be somewhat destructive, but
ordinarily natural agents of one kind or another keep it in check.

Description. This species may be more easily recognized by its dark
gniv or black color and by its brick red cast skin or exuviae which is a little
to one side of the center. ihe full grown scale insect is about '/^i inch in
diameter. The young scales remain white or pink for a considerable
period, and usually have a well developed nipple and an inconspicuous ring.
A twig badly infested by this species has a dark gray or almost black color,
relieved here and there by the reddish exuviae. \Sce pi. 14, fig. 5-9J

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AXD WOODLAND TREES 227

Life history. This insect passes the winter in ;i partly grown con-
dition. There is but a single generation. The studies of Mr Putnam, in
Iowa, show that the males appear there the latter part of April, and that
the female deposits from 30 to 40 eggs in the late spring or early summer.
The crawling young of this species may be seen during most of July, in
the latitude of Albany, indicating that the hatching of the eggs extends
over a considerable period. Professor Johnson states that this species
may cause a purplish tinge in green tissue, but it is not so marked as with
the San Jose scale. This discoloration has not been observed in New York
State.

Food plants. This species has been recorded on a number of plants
aside from fruit trees. Professor Comstock Tias found it on ash, beech,
bladdernut, hackberr\-, linden, maple, oak, Osage orange, peach and water
locust. It has also been recorded on elm and willow. Professor Johnson
attributes the killing of an English oak in Illinois to this scale insect. It
has been received from this State by Dr Howard on pin oak and hemlock,
and it also occurs on mountain ash, pear. Ilex v e r t i c i 1 1 a t a. Ilex
laevigata, white birch, P r u n u s and American elm.

Distribution. This species is probably widely distributed in the United
States and is an exceedingly common species in New York, where it has
been recorded from a number of localities.

Natural enemies. A single parasite, P h y s c u s v a r i c o r n i s How.,
has been reared from this species.

Bibliography
1901 Felt, E. P. N. V. State Mus. iUil. 46, p. .?26-;,o

Chionaspis lintneri Comstock
This species has been recorded as occurring within the bounds of the
State and is known to live on alder, \' i 1) u r n u m 1 a n t a n o i d e s,
B e t u 1 a p a p )• r i f e r a, C o r n u s a 1 1 e r n i f o 1 i a, C. s t o 1 a n i f e r a,
and a species of willow. It has also been found on L i n d e r a o d o r i f e r a
and C o r \- 1 u s a m e r i c a n a.

228 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM

Distribution. This species has a somewhat extended ran^^e as it has

been recorded from Prince Edward Islam), Canadian localities, and several

{)laces in Hiiftalo.

Bibliography

1899 Cooley, R. A. Mass. Agric Kxp. Sta. Spec. Hul. ]). 22-23

Rose scale

yliiUxcaspis rosac Houche

Patches of irregular white objects, sometimes scurfylike in character, on rosex
blackberries and raspberries, are very likely this species.

Ki);.(-.. I< s. , ..k- „„ bUickbcrry Fig- 4'. Male, female and youiiR

much enlarged

This scale insect occurs in sparin^j numbers in the southern portions of
New York State and occasionally becomes somewhat abimdant on rose,
rasi)berry and blackberry bushes. It bcijins to breed in I'enns) Ivania about
the middU' (if Ma\-, and in Xcw N'ork thr \i)un>;- may be expected the
latter ])art of the month and for several wi'eks thereafter. Thorouj^h
sprayiui^r with a kerosene cnudsion or whale oil soap solution should be
effective in checkin_<( this scale insect whenever it is at all abumlanl. | .S'cf
pi, 14, ^l<,^ 1-4 for colored illustrations of this species]

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AXU WOODLAND TREES 229

Juniper scale

Ih'aspis I'll null Fartj.

A circular, snowv white scale, about Vjj inch iu dianiclcr, with ncarlv central yel-
JDwish exuviae, may be found on juni|)er.

This species was hrouo-ht to the writer's attention in September i (S98,
when it occurred on Irish jiniiper at Ossining N. \'. The specimens accom-
panyint^ the inquiry showed that the insect was ([uite ahundant. Ihis
species has been recorded by Professor Comstock as \er\' common at
\Vashino;ton D. C, where he found it infestint^r several species of juniper
and arbor \'itae.

Description. The female scale is circular, whitish, about ' 25 inch in
lencjth, and with a central or nearly central )-ellowish exuviae. The male
scale is white, slender, and about ' 25 inch in length. It lias a prominent
median ridge and at the smaller or anterior end there is the oval yellowish

e.xuviae.

Bibliography

iScSi Comstock, J. A. U. .S. llep't A;j,ric. Rep't. i S80. j). jio-ir

Pine leaf scale

Chionaspis pinifoliac Fitch

An elongated, whitish scale on the needles of various ])ines.

This pest is somew'hat abundant on the needles of hard and Austrian
pines in New York State, and has come to the writer's notice repeatedly in
recent years.

Early history. This insect was brought to the attention of Dr Fitch in
1855, and his secoml rejjort contains an extended acccjunt of the species.
He states that this scale is more apt to occur on transplanted pines and this
agrees with our exjierience. Its abundance on Austrian pines in Washing-
ton park, All)anv, was lirought to the attention of tlie late Dr Lintner in
1889. He states that millions of the peculiar white scales of this ilestruc-
tive species had attached themselves to the leaves, almost as thickly as they
could rest, nearlv whitening the trees, and almost obscuring its natiu'al

230 NEW YORK STATE MISEUM

green. Hundreds of scales could lie counted on a single leaf, and the
attack was so severe tliat a number of the trees were very nearly killed.

Description. The scale of this insect is oval, elongated, snow white in
color, and with the small, yellow cast skins at the smaller ends. This
species can be easily recognized b\' reference to plate 19, figure 9.

Life history. Tliis insect is recorded as passing through two genera-
tions annually in the northern United .States. Hibernation occurs in the
Ci^<^ stage, 20 to 27 eggs being found under each scale, according to Mr
Cooley, who states that he has seen the egg hatch at Amherst Mass.,
Mav 25, while we have ol)served the young in Albany May 12. Dr
Le Baron has recorded lln-m hatching May 10 to 25, and l)r Riley, as
ea.-Iy as April 25. Ur Le Baron states that the first eggs which hatch
produce only male insects, while the later individuals are females. Tiie
^■oung crawl al)out over the leaves for two or three days, tiien come to rest
and begin feeding. The latter author slates that the yoimg males settle
entirely on the old leaves, whik- tlu: females usually migrate to the tender
needles at the ends of the twigs. Mr Cooley states that this does not
seem to l)e a fixed habit since, after watching this insect, he did not observe
this marked tlifferencc in the place of settling of the two sexes. The
male requires about 10 da\s for the development of its scale, and the
female, three weeks. The male develops much more rapidly than the
female ami he matures at the time the latter is passing through her second
molt, immediately after which ])airlng takes ])lact>. Mr Cooley states that
it is impossible to separate the two broods of this insect, as the time of
hatching extends over so long a period that scales in all stages of develop-
ment can be found an\' lime during the summer. He adds that he is n<H
al all sure there are not three brriods in the; latiuule of Andicrst Mass.
l)r Le Baron states that feniaUs comjileU! their development and commence
laying eggs in luly which begin hatching the first of August, and continue
till the midilh; of September. These produced the second brood of
young and the adult females resulting therefrom lay eggs which remain in
that stage through the winter and give rise to the first brood the following

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 23 1

season. The protracted laying period makes the development of the second
brood very irregular and no precise dates can be given. Mr Cooley States
that he has seen living fcmiales at Amherst which were just completing egg
laying December 6.

Natural enemies. Two small hymenopterous parasites, P e r i s s o p-
t e r u s p u 1 c h e 11 u s H ow. and A p h e 1 i n u s m y t i 1 a s p i d i s Le B.
have been reared from this scale insect. The beneficial twice stabbed
ladybeetle, Chilocorus liivulnerus Muls., has been repeatedly
recorded as feeding on this scale insect. Other species observed feeding
on this pest are Cybocephalus nigritulus Lee, Scymnus species,
H a r m o n i a p i c t a Rand and Chrysopa species.

Bibliography
1856 Fitch, Asa. Ins. N. Y. 2d Rep't, p. 255-62
1889 Lintner, J. A. Ins. N. Y. 5th Rep't, p. 266-67
1899 Cooley, R. A. Mass. .-\gric. Exp. Sta. Spec. Bui. ji. ,30x-34

Periodical cicada

Tibiccn scptcudcciin Linn.
A stout, large l)hu k insect with four membranous orange veined wings and red eyes,
frequently oviposits in the twigs of many trees, causing them to wither and fall.

This insect is one of the most interesting species occurring in the State.
Its presence in enormous numbers from time to timi-, and its extremely long
life cycle, excites great popular interest. This species can hardly be con-
sidered of much economic importance, though frequently exceedingly
abundant in some localities, since most of its operations are confined to
forest trees, where the loss of a great many twigs is not a serious matter.
Occasionally, this insect appears in enormous numbei's in young orchards or
on grounds set with choice trees, and by ()vi]:)ositing in them inflicts great
loss. These latter instances, however, are relatively rare.

Life history. This insect presents an extraordinary life cycle, requiring
17 years in the Northern .States to complete its final transformations,
though the adult existence is relatively extremely short. What is believed
to be the same species has a life cycle of only 13 years in ilu; Southern

NEW ^•()RK STATE MLSEIM

States. Tlu: first cicatlas appear in this latitude about the latter part of
Mayor in earl\ June, and continue till July. An enormous brood which
appeared in thir Hutlson river \ alley in 1894 had entirely disappeared by
July 20. The pupa emer^res from a circular hole or burrow about ^ inch
in diameter and climbs the nearest supports. Here it fi.xes itself firmly aind
prepares for the final transformation. The skin soon splits along the back
and the creamy white adult, with its red eyes and the black spots on its
thorax, works itself slowly out of the old case. It is soft just after
emerging, and as it dries the jjarts hartlen and assume the size and
color of the perfect insect. The cicadas may be found resting on branches
or twigs throughout the day or engaged in ovipositing. There has been
some question as to the adult feeding, but tliis has recently been settled
beyond all question by Prof. A. I.. Ouaintancc, who has demonstrated that
the insects insert their beaks into [jlant tissues, draw nourishment there-
from, and that the digestive trad is continuous ami functional. The
cicadas, however, reipiire so little nourishment during their brief e.xistence
that \'er}' little or no harm is tlom: in this manner. The principal injury
is caused by the insects .gouging the tender twigs for the ])uri)ose of insert-
ing their eggs. This operation has been described b\- Mr Ira H. Lawton
as follows :

After finishing one fissure the female moved slowly forward about two
steps, depressed her ovipositor about 45", and setting her saws in motion,
first alternately and then simultaneously, rapidly penetrated the bark, but the
ovipositor was soon elevated to 25". After penetrating to the full length of
her ovipositor and filling that chamber with eggs, she swung a little to one
side anil through the same hole in the bark e.xcavated the opposite chamber
and fillei.1 it with eggs. The making of each chamber occupied a little over
20 minutes or a total of 45 minutes for the whole. During the cutting of
a fissure, the saws made about 80 strokes to the minute, and after making
four, the female would rest for a time. The head of the cicadas were
ilirected, in the main, from the tree but not invariably so, as some worked
with their heads towanl the trunk of the tree.

.As many as 50 of these fissures nia\' be made 1)\- the female in a twig,

providetl it is suitable, and after depositing her complement of eggs, which

is said to be from 400 to 500, she drops from the branch and dies. The

INSECTS AFFECTIXC; PARK AXD WOODI.AXD TREES 2"-'

period required for hatching- has hcen u;ivcn In- various authors at from 52
to 42 da\s down to 14. The rec:eiul_\- hatched cicadas are slender orublii<e
creatures, about ' 10 inch lonu'. They are as lively as ants, and after run-
nini^ about on the tree for a short time, tlrop to the ground and bury
themselves. Their stron^r forelegs are -well adapted for dit^i^'-im^ and are
undoubtedly of o;reat service in searching for the tender succulent rootlets
on which they feed. The young grow so slowly and recjuire so little- food,
that but slight injury to trees or shrubs results from their presence. They
remain at a moderate depth, specially during the earlier and latter ])ortions
of their existence, though at times they have been found a numlier of feet
below the surface. There is little change during the lapse- of 16 \(-ars,
except in size, between the newly hatched nymph and its full grown form.
Towards the latter part of this period, there may be notic(-d four scalelike
appendages, the rudimentary wings. The nymph makes its way to the
surface in the spring of the; 17th >'ear, by boring a smooth, tirnd\- com-
pacted gallery with a channel just large enough to allow the iiisect to ])ass.
This gallery may even be iiiade through a hrmly comi)acted pathway- or
around stones and other objects which can not be piercc^d. The pupa
remains in the upper portion of this gallery till the time coines for it to
forsake the earth and undergo its final transformation. Under certain con-
ditions, the nymphs construct curious chambers over the mouths of their
burrows, and prior to 1894, these structures were regarded as exceedingly
rare, but investigations by Dr Lintner in that year revealed their pn-sence
in numbers in many localities in the Hudson ri\er valle)-. Mr Benjamin
Lander of Xyack, found one tract of land of about 60 acres in extent
which had from 5 to 22 of th(;se structures to the square foot. Thesc! inter-
esting chambers were also found at Upper .\yack, .South Nyack, (irand \'iew
on Hudson, Piermont, and on the top of the Palisades near Al])ine. A
number were found at West Point, and Miss P^mily (>. Mcjrton observeil
them in the grass at New Windsor. They were seen at Marlboro, occurred
in the santh' s(jil along thi- ri\-er at Poughkeepsie and were found under
the leaves in the woods at I'angall, were met with at .Athens, and

234

NEW YORK STATE MTSEUM

were also observed at the Rural ceinetrry near Albany and at liath-on-
Hudson. These peculiar structures are made by the nymphs brinjj^ins^ up
pellets of earth and depositin*^ them about the mouths of their o^alleries.
Mr Lander observed one repairing- its injured chamber. There have been
a number of theories advanced to account for these peculiar structures,
but as they were built under such very diverse conditions, no explanation
ajjpears to be entirely satisfactory.

II;;. 4? jNh.p blunviiig tlic ilistribuiion of the broods of the 17 year race. (After Marlatt, V. X
Dcp't Agric. Div. Ent. Bui. 14, n. s. i8<)8. p. 26)

Description. Tlu- perfect insect may be easily recoi^nized Ijy its black
bod\- and the brit^ht red (tyes, ami the red \eined wiuijs, in connection with
plate 11, fis^nire 17. .\ smaller variet), described by Dr I'"isher as
T ibicen cassinii, occurs in I'onncclion with the lar_<j;e form.

Distribution. The j.(';neral distrilnition of the i 7 year broods is (graphi-
cally re|)resentt-d in the accom|)anyin!^ map prepared by Dr C. L. Marlatt.
It will be seen, in connection with the one showint; the distribution of the-
broods of the 13 year race, that these latter overhi]) those havins^^ a lon;^er
developmental period only to a limited extent.

INSECTS AFFECTIXC PARK AND WOODLAXn TREES

235

Broods in New York State. The life cycle of this insect is completed
in 1 7 years and )et it apjjears in some portions of New ^'o^k State at
much more frequent intervals. The reason is found in the fact that
several broods occur in the State. The adults of each emeroje in
different years. These appearances have been very closely followed by
entomologists durini;:^ the latter half of the last century at least, and some
records include much carher dates, so that the pcriodicit)' of this insect is
established be\-ond all (juestlon. 1 )r bitch in 1856, records 9 broods as

Dep't A

occurring; in the different parts of the I' nited .States, and mentions _^ as
appearing within the borders of New York. Dr Lintner stated in 18S5
that 5 broods were known to occur within the bounds of this .State.
Dr C. L. Marlatt in 1898 records 6 broods, one of these being based on a
doubtful record. The several broods which have been recorded from Xew
York State are briefly as follows :

236 Ni;\V VUKK STATE MUSEUM

Brood 8.' This is no. 6 of Messrs Walsh aiul Riley and was tlic one Dr
I-"itch confused with llie 13 year hrood which occurred in iS^v It has
been recorded only from Long Island. It is due to appear in 1906.

Brood 12. This is one of the best recorded broods since it occurs
very largely in the thickly ])()pulat((l regions of tiie Eastern States. This
facilitates its observations very much. It is the brood which occurred
in Xew \'ork .State and was very closely studied by Dr Lintner in 1894. It
is i )r ImicIi's no. 1, and Walsh and Riley's no. 8. It has Ijeen recorded
from Albany, Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Richmoml,
Rensselaer, Rockland, Saratoga, Ulster, Washington and Westchester
counties and from Long Island. It a])iiears next in 191 i.

Brood 17. This is no. 7 of Dr Pitch's, and no. 12 of Messrs Walsh
and Riley. It was recorded from Richmond and Westchester counties in
1898, and it will therefore not be seen again till 1915.

Brood 19. This brood was founded by Dr Riley on the records of Dr
.Smith's register which runs back to 1797. It is recorded as appearing in
Cayuga, King.s, Livingston, Madison, Monroe, Ont)ndaga, Ontario, Rich-
mond, Schenectady, Wyoming and \'ates countii-s, and is due to appear in
1 9 1 6.

Brood 20. This is Dr hitch's second brood and no. 14 of Walsh and
Riley. It is due to appear ne.xt in 1917. It has been recorded in New
York State, so far as known to us, from onl\- one locality in the e.\treme
southwestern portion of Chautaucpia count)-.

Brood 22. This is one of the largest broods which occurs in the
I'nited States. It appeared in New York in 1902. It has been recorded
from Kings, .Monroe, Niagara and Richmond counties. .A recent report
from Chester \ oung states that this brood appeared in 1902 in localities
in Nassau and .Suffolk counties. It probably occurs also in Queens county.
It is not du(t ai;ain till 1919.

Natural enemies. This insect occurs in such larofe numbers that it fre-

' I in- ( (iiM|iti,-!icii:.l\ <■ iiuml)erii)g ol Dr .Marlatt has bucn adopted as being more
likclv to be periiianenl.

INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 237

quently attracts the attention of vertebrates, such as cats, doj^s, skunks,
ground ho^s, and even gray squirrels feed on them. Domestic fowls of all
kinds relish them, and in some places they remain in the woods all day
during "locust time." The adults are eaten by most birds, and the linglisli
sparrow has been recorded as possessing a special fondness for this insect.
Robins are said to prefer them to strawberries, and the crow eats them
readily. Other birds recorded as feeding on them are as follcjws : cuckoo,
kingbird, oriole, sparrow, catbird, thrushes, ground birds, and even the com-
mon land turtle has been known to feed on the nymphs. Ants attack
cicadas, but the)- probably do hot molest living, healthy individuals. A
fungus, Massospora c i c a d i n a, has proven fatal to man\- insects in
widely separated localities.

Remedial measures. It is practicalh' impossible to pre\ent these insects
from emerging, and the best known method of protecting trees, consists in
inclosing them with fine netting, this course being practical only in the case
of highK' \alued ones. Agriculturists ma\' pre\"ent damage to a consider-
able e.xtent by not setting trees for two or three years before a large Ijrood

is expected in the locality.

Bibliography

1856 Fitch, Asa. Ins. X. V. ir,t Rc-]i't, p. 3.S-49

1885 Lintner, J. A. Ins. .\. V. 2(1 Rci-'t. 11. 167-79

1889 Ins. X. \'. 5th Rc])'t, p. 276-78

1891 Ins. X. \. 7th Rcp't, p. 297-301

1897 Ins. N. V. i2th Rt-p't. 1S96. ]i. 272-89

1898 Marlatt, C. L. U. ."<. Dep't .\i;ric. Div. I-lnt. liul. 14, n. s. p. 1-148

1901 Macgillivray, A. D. Can. Knt. 33 : 78

1902 Lowe, V. H. X. \. Exp. Sta. Bui. 212, ]>. 3-16

Dog day cicada or harvest fly

Tibiccn tibiicn Linn.
This species is rather common in |uh- and August in many sections of
the .State and ma)" be readily recognizeil by its large size and peculiar form
[pi. 45, fig. I ], as well as b)- its shrill call ^o frequently heard. The body

238 NEW YOKK STATE MUSELM

of the insect is nearl\ triangular wlu-n viewed from above anil measures
almost I '4 incln:s in length, while the wings spread neaVly 2 inches. This
species maybe readily distinguished from the 17 year cicada, T i b i c e n
septendecim Linn., by its stouter forin. its yellowish and greenish
markings on the head and thorax and the green veins of the wings.
A single specimen was taken by the writer on hard pine at Karner, July 19,
1901. It is much more frequently met with on other trees, particularly
maple, oak and horse-chestnut. It is said tiiat two years are required to
complete its life cycle.

The ugly clay-colored nym[)h of this insect may be met with in mitl-
siimmer as it forsakes the earth and crawls on a tree to cast its skin and
appear in the adult form. This operation is an e.xtremely interesting one
and recjuires only a few hours for its completion. The pupal skin cracks
over the thorax and the insect gradually works its Avay out by a series of
irregular jerks and during the process presents to the observer's eye very
delicate and beautiful shades of pink and grc-cn. The bright pink simple
eyes, or ocelli, and the alternating dark and Ijrass-colored markings on the
head and prothorax make an admirable combination, which is further
enhanced by the delicate yellow on the costal margin of the wings and the
bright green of most of the veins. The tarsi or feet are reddish at this
stage. The irregular jerking continues and the limp legs and wings are
slowly dragged from their cases by the weight of the backward bending
body and are moved only after a lapse of five to 10 minutes and then Init
feebly. 1 he fulh extended wings are a delicate green with traces of jellow
at the outer third of the costal margin. This latter colcjr disaj^pears soon
and the fully emerged insect is then a beautiful object with its delicate pea-
green organs of flight. The eiuin; time occupied by this transformation is
about an hour, though the insect does not fly readily for several hours.

This species is rarely present in sufficient numbers to cause serious
injury, though its large size makes it an object of special interest.

INSECTS AFFECTIXC, PARK AND WOODLAND TREES

239

Box elder plant bug

Lcptocorus frii'ittatiis Say

This western blackish red markeil bui^ is specially fond of the box-elder.

This insect is not known to occur within New York State, but it has
been makinL( such rapid pro^^ress eastward that its advent within our bor-
ders may not be far in the future.

Its northward and eastward spread. Dr Lintner states that in 1888,
this species had not been recorded north of i\Iissouri. It was reported
in i8gi from the southeast corner of the state of Washing