For Reference NOT TO BE TAKEN FROM THIS ROOM LIBRARY OF 1885-1056 ^€f New York State Education Department New York State Museum 59th ANNUAL REPORT 1905 VOL. 3 APPENDIX 7 TRANSMITTED TO THE LEGISLATURE JANUARY 22, 1906 ALBANY NEW YORK STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT 1907 STATE OF NEW YORK EDUCATION DEPARTMENT Regents of the University With years when terms expire 1 91 3 Whitelaw Reid M.A. LL.D. Chancellor New York 1906 St Clair McKelway M.A. LL.D. Vice Cliaiicellor . - - - Brooklyn 1908 Daniel Beach Ph.D. LL.D. - Watkins 1914 Pliny T. Sexton LL. B. LL.D. Palmyra 1912 T. Guilford Smith M.A. C.E. LL.D. - Buffalo 1907 William Nottingham M.A. Ph.D. LL.D. Syracuse 1910 Charles A. Gardiner Ph.D. L.H.D. LL.D. DC I.. . . - . New York 1915 Charlks S. Francis B.S. Troy 1911 Edward Lauterbach M.A. LL.D. --- New York 1909 Eugene A. Philbin LL. B. LL.D. New York 1916 LuciAN L. Shedden LL.B. Plattsburg Commissioner of Education Andrew S. Draper LL.D. 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 Cofnmissioner Secretary to the Commissioner Harlan H. Horner B.A. Director of Stale Library 'Edwin H. Anderson M.A. Director of Science and State Museum John M. Clarke Ph.D. LL.D. Chiefs of Divisiona Accounts, William Mason Attendance, James D. Sullivan E.xaminations, Charles F. Wheelock B.S. LI-.D. Inspections, Frank H. Wood M.A. Law, Thomas E. Finegan M.A. Records, Charles E. Fitch L.H.D. Statistics, Hiram C. Case Visual Instruction, DeLancey M. Ellis I Director since January i, 1906. State of New York No. 66 In Assemolv January 22, 1906 59tli ANNUAL REPORT OF THE NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM To the Legislature of the State of New York We have the honor to submit herewith, pursuant to law, as the 5gth Annual Report of the New York State Museum, the report of the Director, inckiding the reports of the State Geologist and State Paleontologist, and the reports of the State Entomologist and the State Botanist, with appendixes. St Clair McKei.way I'iee Chancellor of the Universitv Andrew S. Dkai'kk Commissioner of Education Appendix 7 Museum memoir S, z/. i 8 Insects Affecting Park and Woodland Trees New York State Education Department New York State Museum John M. Clarke Uirectur , Ephrai.m Porter Felt State Entomologist Memoir 8 INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES EPHRAIM PORTER FELT D.Sc. Preface ---... Introduction ----- Injuries caused by insects Shade trees and adjacent property affected - - , . . Definitions and classification Important groups of insects affecting forest trees ----- Literature Transformations of insects Parasitic and predaceous enemies General preventive measures Sirds Remedial measures - . . . Selection and planting of trees VOLUME I 3 Common shade trees and their prin- 5 cipal insect enemies 5 More important shade tree pests Destructive borers - - - - 7 Destructive leaf feeders 8 Destructive sucking insects The battle of the weak or interesting lO facts about aphids 12 More important forest tree pests - 13 Enemies of deciduous trees 20 Wood and bark borers - 256, 25 Leaf feeders - - - 258, 25 Sucking insects - - 258, 34 Explanation of plates 46 Index --.... 49 5° 5° i°5 172 241 253 256 259 303 329 a 333 a 435 ALBANY NEW YORK STATE EDICATION DEPARTMENT 19°5 STATE OF NEW YORK EDUCATION DEPARTMENT Regents of the University Witli years when terms expire 1913 Whitelaw Reid M.A. LL.D. 0«;/f<'//or - - - New York 1906 St Clair McKelway M.A. L.H.D. LL.D. D.C.L. r/ce CJiancellor Brooklyn 1908 Daniel Beach Ph.D. LL.D. Watkins 1914 Pliny T. Sexton LL.B. LL.D. ... - Palmyra 191 2 T. Guilford Smith M.A. C.E. LL.D. - - - - Buffalo 1907 William Nottingham M.A. Ph.D. LL.D. - - Syracuse 1910 Charles A. Gardiner Ph.D. L.H.D. LL.D. D.C.L. - New York 1 91 5 Charles S. Francis B.S. Troy 191 1 Edward Lauterbach M.A. LL.D. . - - - New York 1909 Eugene A. Philbin LL.B. LL.D. . - - - New York 1916 LuciAN L. Shedden LL.B. Plattsburg Commissioner of Education Andrew S. Draper LL.D. Assistant Commissioners Howard J. Rogers M.A. LL.D. First Assistant Commissioner Ed\vard J. Goodwin Lit.D. L.H.D. Second Assistant Commissioner Augustus S. Downing M.A. TJiird Assistant Commissioner Secretary to the Commissioner Harlan H. Horner B.A. Director of Libraries and Home Education Melvil Dewey LL.D. Director of Science and State Museum John M. Clarke Ph.D. LL.D. Chiefs of Divisions Accounts, William Mason Attendance, James D. Sullivan Examinations, Charles F. Wheelock B.S. LL.D. Inspections, Frank H. Wood M.A. Law, Thomas E. Finegan M.A. Records, Charles E. Fitch L.H.D. Statistics, Hiram C. Case Visual Instruction, DeLancey M. Ellis PREFACE This work was begun a number of years ago by the writer studying various insects depredating 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 series of years, together with a summary of the more important literature relating to the subject It is not expected that this memoir will supersede the exceedingly valuable work by Dr Packard on Forest and Shade Tree Insects, 5th Report of the United States Entomological Commission, but rather that it will be supplementary thereto. It is hoped that the arrangement adopted will facilitate the identi- hcation 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 have been associated with him during the past six years, all of whom have aided more or less in the preparation of this work. Particular mention should be made of the work 01 Mr U. 13. \oung, 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- t.ds and also generously gave the writer the benefit of his extended experience in the study of forest insects. Dr Ashmead is responsible for the determination of most of the parasitic Hjmenoptera, a group in which he IS a well recognized authority. The value of the work Is also areatly enhanced by the large series of original drawings by Mr L. H "loutel 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 ordinary treatment in economic literature is found in the summarized accounts of some of the more inter- esting 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 comparatively slight knowledge of entomology, yet desirous of following in a general way, the manifestations of insect life. Some original morphologic studies are also included in the volume, since they are almost essential to the adequate identification of certain very injurious species. E. P. Felt Slate Entomologist INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES INTRODUCTION The welfare of the human race is closely connected with that of our trees, and any work looking- to their better protection makes for the advancement of mankiml. VUr. value of our street and park trees is much greater than the cost of their production, and a city or village blessed with such has treasure which should be most jealously guarded, since these magnificent growths have an important inHuence in modifying climatic conditions, besides adding materialh' to the beauty of the surroundings. This is not only true in cities and villages hut also in the country at large, particularly in such 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 evaporation 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 problem, largely due to the introduction into this country of certain very destructive species, such as the gipsy moth, the elm leaf beetle, the elm bark louse, the leopard moth and the San Jose scale, all exceedingly injurious and all, except the gipsy moth, well established in New York .State. It is onlv a question of time before the latter cr. 217-352. 1901 Hopkins, A. D. Insect Enemies of the Spruce in the Northeast. U. S. Dep't .■\gric. Div. F^nt. Bui. 28, n. s., p. 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 MUSEUM entomologist who seeks some method of controlUng injurious species. A knowledge 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 be taken advantage of in devising a practical method of keeping it in check. The habits of insects are con- sequently of great practical importance. Egg. All insects develop from eggs which present widely variable forms in different species and are frequently of exceedingly beautiful design. They may be placed in clusters, 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 unprotected 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 butterflies and some moths are somewhat elongated, delicately ribbed and with the surface broken into innumerable smaller areas by minor ridges. The eggs of a number of true bugs are nearly barrel-shaped and are crowned with a ring of small spines. Certain minute fruit flies (Drosophila) deposit theirs in decaying fruit and were it not for the curious appendages extending on the surface of the semiliquid nidus, the embryo would probably suffocate for want of air. The lace-winged fly (Chrysopa) is of interest because of her peculiar stalked eggs [pi. 20, fig. 1 8(5] placed in clusters on leaf or twig. This curious arrangement is believed to be for the purpose of preventing earlier hatching individuals from devouring their undeveloped relatives. The eggs of a Californian red spider, Tetranychus mytilaspidis, are remarkable ' for the umbrella handlelike stem projecting in the air, from the tip of which strands of silk radiate and are attached at a little distance to the supporting surface. This device probably affords more security on account of the elastic fastening. Many insect eggs are deposited 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 Woodvvorth, C. W. Cal. Agric. Exp. Sta. Bill. 145, p. 5. INSECTS »~FECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES IC ova with cementlike secretions. Others, like 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. No nictaniorphosis. Members of the very lowest or simplest order of insects, the Thysanura, which includes forms such as snow fleas, 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 nietamorpliosis. 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 &%%, 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 flight 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 YORK STATE MUSEUM ceding the full grown 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 fly 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 iiietamorplwsis. 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 o.^'g 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. An impending 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 INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 17 marked increase in size usually indicates a molt. Ur H. G. Dyar' has shov/n that a nearly constant ratio exists between the widths of the head of a cater- pillar in its various stages. It is interesting^ to note 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, siniple eyes, 6 thoracic legs and an al)domen 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 many beetles to 1 6 in some sawflies. The same is also true of other structures, such as spines, hairs and tubercles, for while these modify the appearance of the bearer very much, they are of secondary innortance. The larvae of some of the more highly developed insects, such as bees and flies, 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 find 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, ' Psyrhe. 1890. 5:420. l3 NEW YORK STATE MLSEUM it is easy to see how these legless, degraded forms could have been derivea from the more common type through a reduction of their various organs. The larval stage is frequently 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 sawflies 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 from S to 16. The young of the more highly developed bees and flies, 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 wood borers, all the usual locomotive appendages are wanting. The larval stage of insects, like the others, may be met with under very diverse conditions and in all seasons of the year, though its dura- tion in each species is usually somewhat closely limited. The caterpillar [pi. 7, fig. i] sheds its skin when full grown and changes to a pupa, a stage which is frequently subconical and often of a brownish incon- spicuous color. Pupa. The assumption 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 Fabr. 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 portions of them in their cocoons like the promethea moth. The larvae of many moths construct very perfect earthern cells in which to undergo their final transformations while others depend on the partial shelter of a crevice or curled leaf. Many butterflies 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 Ig interesting object and the daintily colored one of the monarch butterfly, though conspicuous when removed from its 'natural surroundings, is not often detected in the field. The pupa is usually conical or subconical in form with the rudimentary antennae, wings and legs closely appressed to the breast. It may be concealed by the last larval skin which usually turns brown, hardens and then is known as the pu])arium, as in many flies. The unsheltered pupae of many beetles are protectively 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. Mies 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 simpl)- emerge, deposit their eggs in a few days and die, but the majority consume enough to sus- tain life for a longer period and not a few winter in this stage. The main object of the adult existence is to provide for the perpetuation of the species and death usually follows soon after. This stage is marked by great diversity of form and the study of perfect insects in particular and the relation of one to another forms the basis of systematic entomology. The elaborate classification now recog- nized is not the work of one man or even of a single generation, but repre- sents the combined efforts of many students from the time of Linnaeus and others to the present. Hibernatio)i. The winter is a period of 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 undoubt- edly kill many, yet vast numbers pass the winter in safety and are readily found alter a little searching. Some species, as previously stated, hibernate in the (t^g stage. The tent caterpillars, the white marked tussock moths and certain predaceous bugs are familiar examples of this method of win- NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM tering. The half grown caterpillars or larvae of certain moths hibernate in a dormant condition in the sheltering grass and in the spring resume feeding and complete their growth. The partly grown Inul moth in its cleverly con- cealed silken case, sheltered by a protuberance on the twig, and the firmly attached shelters of case bearers with their tiny occupants, are familiar exam- ples of insects wintering in the caterpillar or larval stage. Many species, pos- sibly the majoritw hibernate in the pupal stage, which, usually passed in a secure and well hiiKlen retreat, naturally affortls much protection from the elements, and as a consequence, hibernation in this form involves less risk than wintering in some other. A large nimiber of insects [;ass the winter as adults in various sheltered places. Examples of these are many bugs, beetles atid even delicate moths and butterflies can withstand the extreme cold of our climate, and some forms are apparently able to survive the win- ter in either the larval, pupal or adult condition. It is not the degree of cold that is fatal to insects so much as repeated thawings and freezings or a sudden change from one to the other. It is a well known fact that caterpil- lars may be frozen stiff and revived, but they perish after this is repeated several times. Parasitic and predaceous insects. These two groups of insects are exceedingly im])ortant in controlling insect outbreaks, and occasionally they may be the |3rincipal agents in reducing the numbers of a serious insect enemy. The studies of I)r L. O. Howard' have thrown a flood of light on the intricate relations which may exist between a notorious pest and its insect enemies. The white marked tussock moth, Hemerocampa leu- costigma Abb. & .Sm., was exceedingly abundant in Washington and the opportunity was seized by Dr Howard to make the above mentioned study. He succeeded in rearing from this insect 15 species of primary hymenop- terous parasites and listed three others as probably having the same habits. He also bred six primary dipterous parasites from this insect, making a total of 21 and probably 24 specie.s, which depend to a greater or less extent on ' 1897 U. S. Dep't Agric. Div. Ent. Tech. Ser. i. p. 1-57. INSECTS AFFECTIXi; PARK AM) WOODLAND TREES 21 this leaf feeder for their sustenance. The rehitions existinL;- between this insect and its parasites were further c()m|)licatecl by tlie presence of 14 species of hyperparasites, some of which lixe on their associates, and were therefore parasites of hyperparasites. This study also resulted in the breeding" of i i species of llies from cocoon masses of this pest. Insect enemies of this species were so abun- dant in Washington in the autumn of 1895 that they destroyed about 90 >i? of the larvae, as estimated by Hr Howard. The efficienc)- of the parasites of the forest tent caterpillar, M a 1 a c o- soma disstria Hiibn. has been brotight to the writer's attention on several occasions in recent years. In one instance he found that from 90 to 95,'/' 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. /'arirs//cs. True parasites are distinguished from the predaceous insect by diflerences 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 parasites 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, Ophion, Thalessa, and others, belong to the Ichneumonidae, a very 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 segment bent at nearly right angles. NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM The Braconidae include some very important parasites, specially of wood-boring larvae and of a number 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 frequently 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 body of the victim, as represented at plate 44, figure 2. The Evaniidae or ensign flies, as they are termed by Professor Com- stock, constitute a parasitic group which 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 metathorax, 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 subsequent pages. The Proctotrypidae in spite of the long family name, are smaller insects than the preceding and a number 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 Tachinidae, a large family which comprises forms having much the appearance of the common house fly. These insects are more general in their food habits than most of the hymenopterous parasites and frequently attack insects belonging to very different groups. Occasionally members 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, Heliophila unipuncta Haw. 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 are usually deposited just behind the head of the victim. It was formerly considered that such larvae were doomed, but more careful investigations have shown that if the eggs are laitl shortly before the bearer molts, the skin may be shetl before the grubs can hatch and pene- trate the body of their prey. Prcdaccoiis insects. These are also valuable 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 Hiil)n., and the solitary wasps, Kumenidae, also attack various forms. A large group of beetles, known as the Carabidae or ground beetles, are almost entirely predaceous in habit, and undoubtedly 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 uncommon to find their reddish, brown-headed larvae in the burrows 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 infrequently do very much toward reducing their numbers. There are a few of the darkling beetles, Tenebrionidae, credited with being predaceous in habit and as these are found in decaying wood, it is 24 ^■E\V VORK STATE MUSEUM very likely that they may render some service in checking the work of injurious species in such situations. Another group of predaceous insects which is of considerable impor- tance, is the dipterous family of flower flies, Syrphidae. This contains a large number of species and some are known to be exceedingly valuable on account of their larvae preying on plant lice. The eggs are laid by the female among prosperous colonies of these little insects and the young hatching therefrom proceed to devour their victims, and when the flies are at all abundant, the little pests are soon reduced to harmless numbers. Certain Hemiptera 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 sometimes present in considerable numbers and undoubtedly render material aid in controlling some injurious forms. The writer has observed Podisus placidus Uhl., numerous in and about the nests of the apple tent caterpillar, Malacosoma americana Fabr. These little bugs were seen to attack caterpillars five times their size and slay them. As many as six or seven were found within one nest and a number in the near vicinity. The presence of this or related species in such large numbers means the destruction of a great many caterpillars. There are some other predaceous insects in the north of less impor- tance than those mentioned above. A number of species belonging to the Hemipterous family Reduviidae are well known on account of their living on other insects, and several members of this family have come into prominence 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 make in canes and small twigs, and holes in certain fruits, they possess the valuable habit of devouring a great many small insects. The southern praying mantis, .S t a g m o m a n t i s Carolina Linn., is a well knovi'n southern species which preys on a great many insects, and the INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND VVOODLAXU TREES 25 related European mantis, Mantis rclii^iosa Linn., which has recently become established in New York Slate, and has been distributed to several localities through the efforts of the writer, may occupy a similar position in the northern states, should it proxc af>le to withstand the severities of our winters and become somewhat abundant, as appears very probable. ("iRNRRAl. I'RKVENTIVF, MF.A.SU RKS The control of insects, particularly in forests, must be effected very largely through the activity of natural agents, which should be encouraged in every possible way. It is ordinarily impractical to attempt much in either a preventive or a remedial way, in the forests of the United States. Birds. Among repressive measures perhaps nothing is so effective in forest entomology, as encouraging or protecting the natural enemies of insects depredating on the trees, chief among which may be ranked our native insectivorous birtls. Considerable has been written on this subject in recent years, and while it is undoubtedly true that there are two sides to the question, it is cpiite certain that birds are exceedingly useful checks on some of our more destructive insects. The recent widespread and disastrous outbreaks of the forest tent caterpillar, Malacosoma disstria Hiibn., in New York may be charged, in part 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 birds during the past 15 years. These figures, taken in connection with the enormous number of. insects our feathered friends devour, are very significant. The following observations from Mr E. H. Eorbush,' ornithologist to the Massachusetts State Board of Agriculture, give an excellent idea of the voracity of birds. Birds are remarkably active and energetic creatures, requiring 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 only half an hour to an hour and ■ 1904 N. J. State Bd. .\grir. 31st Reii't 1903. p. 192-93. 26 XEW YORK STATE MUSEUM one half to completely digest a full meal, and 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 daily. A young crow nearly fledged requires 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 dail)-, 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 insect.s. Where insects are numerous birds eat them with almost incredible rapidi'ty. 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 equal 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. Dr Judd speaks of a letter received from Mr Robert H. Coleman, in which he says of a palm warbler, that it must have killed 9500 insects in about 4 hours. These may be extreme cases, but even if we halve the numbers given, they will still serve to show the bird's possibilities for good. The remarkable appetites of the young birds keep their parents very busy. The old birds usually carry to the young from i 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 1 1 hours. House wrens have been seen to enter the nest from 30 to 71 times an hour. In view of these facts we may, in time, come to give credit to the state- ment of Professor Wood that the daily food of a robin is equal 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 sausage 9 inches in circumference. The following facts recorded by Messrs Mosher and Kirkland' working under the direction of Mr Forbush, are of great interest, since they give M899 Mass. Crop Kep't. Sep. p. 31-32. INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 2/ detailed information concerning the voracity of certain birds feeding upon gipsy moth caterpillars, a species of much importance not only to Massa- chusetts but to the entire northeastern United States. GirSY 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 y^ hour, in the mean- time taking many more. May 18 A .scarlet tanager ate upwards of 30 caterpillars within 5 minute.s. May 18 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 moving 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 13 A yellow-billed cuckoo ate i every 2 minutes for 36 minutes. A red-eyed vireo ate Jt, 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. P2xact time not noted. These facts indicate that birds must be 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. Forbush :' As showing the large numbers of these caterpillars eaten by birds, a few notes from'lNIr Mosher's observations will be of interest. A black-billed cuckoo was seen to eat 36 forest tent caterpillars within 5 minutes. Red- 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; coming 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 ' I goo Mass. Crop Rep't. July. p. 29. 28 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM list' of 46 specit^s known to feed on the sj^ips)' moth, P o r t h e t r i a cl i s- par Linn. He lias found 25 feedinu;- on tlie imported Ijrown tail moth caterpillar, E u p r o c t i s c h r )• s o r r h o e a Linn., 25 feeding on the forest tent caterpillar, Malacosoma disstria Hubn., 32 feeding on the apple tent caterijillar, Malacosoma americana Fabr., and 51 feeding on cankerworms. Dr A. D. Hopkins in a recent bulletin^ states that wood- peckers "are the most important enemies of spruce bark beetles, and appear to be of inestimable value to the spruce timber interests of the Northeast." Of many hundreds of infested trees e.xamined b\- him, he is confident that at least one half of the beetles and their young had been destroyed by the birds, and in many cases it was evident that e\en a greater proportion had perished from this cause alone. He adds that estimating 100 beetles to the square foot of bark, and an average of 60 square feet of infested bark, it is possible for each tree to yield an average of 6000 individuals ; 100 trees, 600,000, and so on. It is therefore plain, that if one half or two thirds are ciestroyed by the birds and other enemies, the amount of timber the remain- der kills will be much lessened ; specially is this true because the beetles must be present in great numbers before they can overcome the natural resistance of the living trees to injury. He also gives a list of the common and scientific names of the wood- peckers of northern New England, prepared for him by Dr C, Hart Met- riam, chief of the Biological Survey, United States Department of Agricul- ture. It is to these birds that Dr Hopkins refers, though no evidence was obtained at that time as to which species was to be credited with the largei part of the beneficial work. The list follows : Hairy woodpecker - - Dryo bates villosus Downy woodpecker - - Dryobatespubescensmedianus Arctic three-toeci woodpecker P i c o i d e s a r c t i c u s Banded three-toed woodpecker Picoides americanus Yellow-bellied woodpecker - S p h y r a p i c u s v a r i u s '1900 Mass Crop Rep't. July p. 34. ^1901 U. S. Dep't -\gric., Div. Ent. Bui. 28, n. s. p. 25-26. INSECTS AFKFXTING PARK AND WOODLAND TRKES 29 Red-headfd woodpecker M e 1 a n e r ]> c s e r y t h r o c e ]) h a 1 u s Flicker - - - - - C o 1 a p t e s a u r a t u s 1 u t e u s Pileated woodpecker - . - C e o ph 1 o e us p i 1 e a t u s able to rum The activit)- and etticienc\- of some of our native woodpeckers is strik- Mioly shown by the followiuL; notes published by Mr E. H. Forbush." He states that his friend, Mr C. K. Bailey observed a downy woodpecker Mar. 28, 1899, make 26 excavations for food between 9.40 a. m., and 12.15 ?• '"• The bird during this time climbed over and inspected in a greater or less degree 181 trees. Most of these e.xcavations exposed galleries in trunks or high branches in which ants were hibernating, and examination of the 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 another 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. The splintered, bare piece of plum shown in figure i, only f 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 summary of the relative value of certain families. His estimates are so valuable that they are given here 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 follows : ' 1900 Mass. Crop Rep't. July. p. 31. ^1899 Mass. Crop Rep't. .Sep. p. .34-36. I Work of woodpeckers plunitree infested by fruit hark beetle 3° NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM CUCULIDAE Ctickoos 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. PICIDAB Woodpeckers Woodpeckers certainly do not destroy as many hairy caterpillars as the cuckoos. They appear to take them only when they come in their way, fre- quently maiming and killing without eating. TYRANNIDAB The flycatchers eat very few hairy caterpillars but destroy a great many imacros of the diurnal species, two kingbirds having been observed to kill about 250 male moths of P o 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. Many moths are destroyed on the wing by flycatchers. cOF^^■InAl-~ Cfoios, ja vs etc. 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 useful in this respect than was suspected. They are continually feeding where outbreaks 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. Crows destroy fully as many pupae as larvae. ICTKl-elOAE Orioles The Baltimore oriole and crow blackbird 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 31 kkixoilliuak: Fi)ich ami sparroio 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 AG RID AE Tauagcrs 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. VIREONIDAfS Vircos 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. NdNIOTILXIDAE Warblers It was not till 1899 that the value of the warblers as caterpillar eaters was fully established. As they are small birds and feed mainly on smaller larvae, it is very difficult to determine by observation exactly what the>- 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. iviiMiNAE (sul)famih') Mockii:o- tit rushes Represented by the catbird and brown thrasher. They are certainly among the most useful birds. The catbird eats hairy caterpillars greedily, destroying even those covered with spines, like the Euvanessa a n t i- o p a, and feeds many caterpillars to its young. It eats full grown caterpil- lars about as readily as cuckoos, taking mainly those that have, perhaps, escaped more arboreal birds by remaining in the shrubbery near the ground. 32 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM TROGLODYXIDAK The house wren is the only species that has been seen by our observers to eat hairy caterpillars. It can hardly be called a common bird, and it has only occasionally been seen to eat these caterpillars. F"ARIDA.E N^nthatclic^ and titmice The chickadee, the common representative of the titmouse family, and one of the most useful of all birds, is a great destroyer of hairy caterpillars. Not only does it eat caterpillars of all sizes, feeding them to its young, but it destroys all forms of these insects, except, perhaps, the eggs of some species. Too much can not be .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. TUROIU A.hi Thrushes While the thrushes eat hairy caterpillars when they come in their way, they do not, with the exception of the robin, appear 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 eat a few, but the robin visits them frequently and eats many. The thrushes eat mainly the larger caterpillars. The bluebird is useful in destroying most forms of these insects, but 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 state, 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 be carpeted with insects, one to the square inch. Professor Forbes gives this as an illustration, by no means as a prediction, and it certainly is a graphic way of stating the high value he places on bird life as a means of checking the depredations of insect pests. Professor Forbes has estimated that should the people of the state apply appropriate measures to increase the efficiency of bird life in destroying insects, even if it was no more than i^^:;, the agriculturists of that state would be saved $76,000 a year at the lowest, and probably five times that amount. INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES -J? Mr E. H. Forbush 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, i^ mile or more, to the woods to feed on insects plentiful there. Thus the bobolink in the meadow goes 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. Haying 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. Crop Rep't. July. p. 38-39. 34 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM boxes will shelter many a bird from winter storms. Nesting material, such as straw, feathers, waste string 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 find a ready market in the commonwealth, except, 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. REMEDIAL MEASURES The conditions under which trees grow along our streets and in our parks are so very different from those obtaining in nature that methods of value in one place could 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 be advised 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 this, 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 plants with arsenate of lead, paris green, london INSECTS AFFECTING 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 poison till forced to do so by hunger, while those placed on untreated leaves, with all other conditions the same, mani- fest no such hesitancy. 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 them 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 spraying 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, but 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 ticable to put the poison. Others feed underground on roots and must be fought in special ways. Sucking insects also present e.xceptional difficulties. 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 plant 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 large numbers that, owing to their activity and resistance to insecticides, they are very difficult to control. Others, like biting forms, may work beneath 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 where it is comparatively easy to keep the pest in check. A 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 be avoided. Prevention is the most successful method of antici- pating insect depredations. That is, avoid, so far as possible, offering con- ditions favorable for the development of insects in large numbers. Sup- pression and control, rather than extermination, should be the aim. The latter is impossible, generally speaking, while the former is frequently our only hope. Useless remedies. Avoid patent remedial preparations, specially those that are advertised to kill most, if not all insects, and act as a fertilizer in addition. A large corps of trained workers in experiment stations and other public positions are at present engaged in searching for new insecticides and in determining the best methods of applying them. Recommendations from such sources can usually be relied on. Some of the preparations sold in the markets are undoubtedly 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, because it is in a disguised form, and he is usually ignorant of its nature. There are other so called remedies which are totally worthless, having no intrinsic value of themselves. One of the most persistently advertised of these is the old trick of plugging a INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 37 tree with sulfur or other substance in order to render the sap distasteful to insects of all kinds. This is a fascinating theory, 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. N'ccd of cxpcri))ic)it. The following formulas comprise what are regarded as the most reliable, but must be modified under varying conditions, to meet the demands 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. Fornnilas for arsenical preparations. Arsenate of lead may be pre- pared as follows : Dissolve II 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 quan- 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 the good 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 lOO to 150 gallons of water is the proportion 38 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM usually advised. It Is also well to employ an equal amount of recently slake4 lime (mix with considerable water and strain before adding) in order to lessen the danger of burning the foliage. It is essential that either of the above mixtures be kept well stirred in order to secure uniform results, as the latter named poisons, in particular, sink rapidly to the bottom of the tank. Forimilas for contact jnscctuidcs. Kerosene emulsion is one of the most important contact insecticides, that is, those 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 hard 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 limestone regions, two gallons of kerosene to one gallon of sour milk, emulsify as described above and dilute. The \o% 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 only 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 applied either in the fall or spring for the destruction of certain scale insects. It has been used very success- fully against the San Jose scale, Aspidiotus perniciosus Comst. INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND 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 fruit trees and this is probably 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 mi.xture. 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. Fumigation. Scale insects can also be controlled very successfully by 40 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM fumigation with hydrocyanic acid gas. This treatment should be given in the winter time when the trees are dormant and is of particular value where a large number of small trees must be treated. The tents necessary for fumigation are too expensive for moderate or large 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 investigators, and those wishing to treat their trees may find it advantageous to consult Professor Johnson's Fuinigation MctJwds.'^ 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 liquid measure, of the best commercial sulfuric acid (specific gravity 1.83) aud three times that amount of water. Professor Johnson has advised using i^ ounces of acid to 2y^ ounces of water to each ounce of cyanid. The cyanid should be placed in an earthenware crock near the trunk of the tree, as distant as possible from the tent, and 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 very bad sores, while the cyanid 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 boiled linseed oil, paint or other material 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 calculated. Several box tents covered with canvas or even roofing paper have been devised. These are provided with frames and either constructed with a tlexible hood so that they can be dropped entire over trees or else with a' removable side which can be quickly and tightly clamped to the frame. Directions for spraying. In order to spray trees successfully, certain rules must be observed. Apply the poison at the time the insects begin to feed and where they must eat it if the tree is attacked. Early spraying not only prevents much injury to foliage but it is likely to be 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 caterpillars and elm leaf beetle grubs in particular, prefer the tender lower epidermis. Do thorough work, that is, try to cover every 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 accomplished with hand pumps, though a power spraying apparatus is the best and plenty 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 economy possible to put a cheap man in this responsible and somewhat disagreeable position. It is comparatively 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. Cost of spraying trees. Several 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 pleasant to record that it is much lower than had at first been supposed. Dr Smith, of the New Jersey agricultural experiment station, kindly supplied the following data in 1898. The elms on the college campus at New Brunswick are 50 to 75 feet high and were sprayed at odd times by the janitors, about an hour 42 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM being required 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, furnished the material, did the spraying at the price mentioned and had a neat margin remaining. The cost of spraying elms in Albany in i8g8, aside from wear and tear of the apparatus, was about i 5c a tree 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 apparatus to be described later, and under civil service regulations, which require 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 private work to reduce the force some- what and have one man serve both as motorman and driver. A little more selection could also be exercised and possibly more efficient men secured than can usually be obtained for such work under civil service regulations. Mr H. W. Gordinier of Troy found 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 considerably in his work in Troy where the trees were sprayed at the expense of private 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 and the number in one locality. Large maples have been sprayed at a cost of only 1754^ 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 probably 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. B. Southwick, entomologist of the 44 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM department of public parks of the city of New York. This is the form used in Albany. The whole outfit is represented on plate 21. It consists of a Daimler gasoline motor operating a Gould force pump. The motor and pump, weighing but 300 pounds, can be placed in the bottom of a spring wagon along with the 100 gallon tank containing the poisonous mixture. This motor has the advantage of being almost noiseless in operation and is scarcely noticed by passing horses. It is very inexpens.ive to operate, as a gallon of gasoline is sufficient for a day, and it requires so little attention that a tyro can run it. The smallest size Gould three-piston pump is the one used with the 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 quality of materials used. Four lines of hose can easily be supplied, though in most places in Albany not more than two can be used to advantage. Some other apparatus in addition to that usually supplied with spraying outfits is necessary. Several ladders or some convenient arrangement for getting up into trees is almost essential unless the spraying wagon has one of the elevating platforms such as are used by electric car companies on repair outfits. Two power spraying outfits constructed for the village of Saratoga in 1899 were provided with these elevating 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 carefully as for the elm leaf beetle, was but i7%c a tree, and considerable of this saving was attributed to the elevating towers. In this instance 5667 large maple trees were sprayed and practically all in the village were treated, thus enab- ling the operators to save time in every possible manner. Hand collecting, etc. Hand collecting appears very slow, laborious, and not at all adapted to present 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, Hemerocampa leu co stigma Abb. & Sm., is a form " INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 45 which can be controlled as readily by collecting its white egg rnasses 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 pay 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 exceptionally 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 should 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, Callosamia promethea Drury and the Cynthia 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. B. Southwnck of New York city has met with consid- 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 men inject carbon bisul- 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 treated. This method has also been applied with a little variation in details in the case of the carpenter worm, P r i o n o x y s- tus robiniae Peck, in tlT.e 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 egg-laying period, 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 (j^ pt. refined), i gal. soft soap, thin with i gal. hot water, stir in acid, let it set over night, then 46 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM add 8 gal. soft water. Or to a saturated solution of washing soda add soft soap to make a thick paint ; this is improved by i pt. of crude carbolic acid and yi lb paris green to 10 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 added, a thick whitewash will result, then add yi lb of paris green, mix thoroughly. The latter is probably the best. Valuable only to prevent egg-laying on bark. SELECTION AND PLANTING OF TREES Something can be done along this line, in the case of shade trees, toward preventing serious depredations 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 obtained only by providing the right conditions. Trees should be set in congenial soil and placed where they will have no difficulty in securing an adequate amount of nourishment, water and sufficient light. Requisite space should be provided or crowding, followed by lowered vitality and insect attack will probably result. The abundance of serious insect enemies in the eastern United States makes it advisable to consider the resistance 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. Dr L. O. Howard in connection with some estimates prepared by Dr B. E. Fernow, then chief of the division of forestry in the United States Department of Agriculture, prepared a rating representing the comparative resistance of our 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 by the writer at the request of Mr Frederick Shonnard of Yonkers N. Y. It varies little from a similar estimate pre- pared by Dr Howard, and has been modified to represent more nearly our INSECTS AFFECTING PARK 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 horn 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 *Tree of Heaven - - - 3 Hardy catalpa - - - - 3 Gingko ------ 3 Red oak ------ 2.5 Scarlet oak 2.5 Yellow oak ----- 2.5 2-5 2-5 2-5 Red maple - - - Honey locust - - European linden American linden - Horse-chestnut - - .Soft or silver maple , American elm - - *Hackberry - - - European elm - - Scotch elm - - - Cottonwood - - - Balm of Gilead - Black locust - - - 1-5 '•5 1-5 1-5 Oriental plane tree - American plane tree - Sycamore maple - - Norway maple - - - - 2 Sugar maple - - - - 2 White oak 2 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 ^8 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM leucostigma Abb. & Sm., or a scale insect like the elm bark louse, Gossyparia spuria Mod., the pest would experience difficulty in finding 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, M a 1 a c o s o m a d i s s t r i a Hubn., the latter is comparatively exempt 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. Maples and elms alter- nated would prove of service in checking the rapid distribution of such a species as the elm leaf beetle, Galerucella luteola Miill., and would be an advantge even in the case of an outbreak of the spiny elm cater- pillar, Euvanessa antiopa Linn. A number of other instances could be mentioned. Care should be taken in setting trees not only 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 undesirable combina- tion from the standpoint of the economic entomologist. INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 49 t 1 <, J -0 ■ Q ^5 '. "^ I : .S « 5 J ? .2 ^e ! 5 . * 0" t 2 ■t1 ca*" Q : "S — 2 U 3 J2"" '. '^" U '^' E " Seriously injured Freqnentlj defoliated — T3 =^"2 — ^t3 cr'o '"-a |s .2 3 J3 b ' h 3-^ 3 : badly inj. Rarely de- foliated Rather seriously injured Frequently badly inj. Seriously injured Seriously injured Sometimes badly inj. — -a '«-^ 3 Infested somewhat Occasion- ally badly injured Very rarely inj. Occasion- ally badly injured ti '■ z "* • "§ ■ ta : ' 1 r -J 01 g Seriously injured Sometimes injured Rarely de- foliated Seriously injured lladly in- jured occa- sionally VerybadVy injured ■^ £-? : 4J 5 - ■ 11 .J J : "i? ■ : — -a — -v : u ^ : u ^ :■- : -0 U « ■ i^t: X E.« — •5 5 1= > R 3 w Z ^ ■5-I a"! •a X c >. >• I^ j: " ills E S c i E •f 3 is 0. fi C Q- U §6 3 E.5 3 « a3 £ w ■" 0 3 rt "3 '^ • 1 0 ^ EjO 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 purpose of making the contents of this work more accessible to the general reader. Some of the species listed under this head could almost with equal propriety be 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. DESTRUCTITE BORERS 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 maples only, making broad, shallow galleries in sapwood just under the bark; a large, fleshy, legless grub Sugar maple borer, Plagionotus speciosus, p. 51 Affecting hard and soft maples, causing deformities in the trunk and many small, brown- ish, powdery borings about the places injured. . . Maple sesian, S e s i a a c e r n i, p. 56 Boring in small twigs of majile and oaks, causing the tips of the branches to fall, the broken ends having a large proportion smoothly cut Maple and oak twig pruner, Elaphidion villosum, 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 tremex, T r e m e x c o 1 u m b a, p. 61 A dark brown or black, rather stout, cylindric beetle about }'a 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, Corthylus punctatissimus, p. 65 American elms with dead and dying limbs, usually with the sapwood badly scored by rather large, flat, legless borers Elm borer, Saperda tridental a, p. 67 A small, reddish beetle about fi 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 Neoclytus erythrocephalus, p. 71 INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 51 American elms having much the same character as mentioned above, hut with short, curled, legless grubs in the smaller limbs Black elm snout beetle, M a g d a I 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 freciuently associated with the above n t^ I'- /4 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 p y r i n a, p. 75 Very large, round, irregular borings in the trunk of different kinds of oak, maple and ^"'^"^t Cari)enter worm, Prionoxystus robiniae, p. 79 A legless, flattened, white grub boring at the very base of thornapple, mountain ash, shad- bush and fruit trees Round-headed apple borer, Saperda Candida, 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 I a n e u s, p. 90 Lindens frequently have large, irregular galleries at the base of the tree Linden borer, Saperda vestita, 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, Cyllene robiniae, 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, Saperda c a 1 c a r a t a, p. 98 Willows and poplars are frequently severely injured by medium-sized, transverse galleries usually at the base Mottled willow borer, Cryptorhynchus lap at hi, p. 100 Lilac stems are frequently tunneled by a white, sparsely haired caterpillar, the branches above wilting in midsummer Lilac borer, Podosesia syringae, p. 104 Sugar maple borer Plagionotics spcciostis Say Dead limbs among leafy branches or transverse ridges and dead areas on branches or ■ trunks of sugar maples are the most characteristic signs of the work of the large fleshy, 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. The attacks 52 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM of Other insects on our maples, specially the depredations of the so called maple worm or forest tent caterpillar, Malacosoma disstria Hiibn., are from time to time pictured in most glowing 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 and 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 exposed 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 pest. 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. This borer displays a marked preference for the base of large limbs and adjacent portions of the trunk. INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 53 Description. The parent insect is a beautiful stout beetle about one inch loni,^. It is black, brilliantly marketl with yellow, as represented at figure 4 of ])late 2. The borer or larva is a whitish, llattened, footless _i,rrub with brownish mouth parts. Small ones [pi. 2, fig. 2], about }4 inch long, are found in September just under the bark and come from eggs laid the same season. The nearly full grown borer [pi. 2, fig. 3J is about 2 inches Fig. 2 Injury prod verse burrow ir about 18 inche produced by the Fig, 3 Large dead about 15 inches in diameter 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 probabl)' laid dur- ing the latter two months. The place of oviposition [pi. 2, fig. i, i^r] may 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 MUSEUM have found burrows about 30 feet from the ground, but most of them occur in the trunk or near the base of the larger hmbs. 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 yi inch in width and ^ inch in depth, and running in almost any direction, though usually 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 the end of this deep burrow, the beautiful adult emerging from the trunk through an oval hole [pi. 2, fig. 5] about z/f, by S/g inch in diameter. The only natural enemies observed preying on this insect are woodpeckers. Dr Packard records having seen them at work. Mr A. H. Kirkland has seen the hairy woodpecker, the downy woodpecker and the flicker feeding on white larvae taken from beneath the bark of infested trees. Associated insects. As previously pointed out, the sugar maple borer attacks trees in their prime. It is well known to students of nature that an enfeebled plant invites insect injury by presenting favorable conditions for their multiplication. Trees suffering to any extent from the attack of the sugar maple borer are usually infested with the pigeon tremex, Tremex columba Linn., a species which assists materially in the destruction begun by the beetle and which is noticed on page 59. Remedies. Very badly infested trees should be cut and burned before Fig. 4 Deep biirrOT which the grub tr forms to the beetl. INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 55 the following June 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 examinations 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 ^ to 3^ 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 exposing 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 i'nsect 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 [sec pi. 22, 23]. One of these galleries was partly transverse, extend- ing about I4. 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 wax or even fill the galleries with mortar, grafting wax, or some other material to protect the wood from the elements. Occa- sionally 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 Kirkland 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. Y. 12th Rep't, p. 238-48 1898 Felt, E. P. Fish, Game and For. Com. N. Y. 4th Rep't, p. 386-92 1899 N. Y. State Agric. Soc. Trans. 59: 277-7S Maple sesian Scs/a accrni 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 wounds 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- IXSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 57 sionally it may be found operating on comparatively smootli trunks. It is jrenerally distributed over the State and evidences of its work occur in man)- localities. Trees wounded from an)' cause find great difficulty in the comparatively simple process of covering e.xposed wood with bark, after being attacked by this insect. Thus relatively insignificant wounds result in scars constantl)- increasing in size antl finally in a badly disfigured, gnarled maple. These creatures, when abundant, may nearly girdle a tree. Very serious complaints regarding this pest have been made in Michigan, Mis- souri, antl cxcn in Buffalo N. Y., and it has been stated that this borer annually causes much 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 [pi. 4, fig. 16] are not often seen by the casual observer. An 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. !/[ 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 Yz inch long may be fountl 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, Thalessa lunator 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 ma)' judge from the injur)' inflicted. The eggs soon hatch and the young borers commence operations in the bark and sapwood. In the fall most of the caterpillars are about yi 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 pupa. 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 efificient 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 excellent 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 i pt. of crude carbolic acid (}4 pt. refined), let it set over night and then add 8 gal. of soft water. Apply 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 Elaphidion villosian Fabr. Small, cleanly cut iwigs of oak or maple falling during the summer are signs of this insect's work. This insect probab'y attracts more attention than any other species causing the same amount of damaire. 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. 7J, our carpenter. The beetle is a rather slender, grayish brown insect [pi. 2, fig. 9]. Life history and habits. The adult is said to deposit an ^^2 to ^s inch long, occurs on various trees, and its legless, flat-headed grub makes shallow galleries in the wood. This, the common flat-headed borer of the appletree, infests a number of forest trees, and the term apple borer is hardly characteristic. Description. The beetle ranges from J^ to about y% inch in length, and is of an obscure metallic color. It may be recognized, according to Dr LeConte, by the serrulate margin of the last ventral segment, the irregular surface of the thorax, the acute median notch of the clypeus 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, flattened head. Life history. The beetles appear from the end to the middle of May, and may 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 solid 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 depth within the wood. The larvae work toward the surface in the spring, INSECTS AFFECTING 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 United States and extends into Mexico. 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 Bracon char us Riley and Crypt us grallator Say, besides a chalcid fly. 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, Saperda 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 Ternics flavipcs Kollar White, wingless antlike 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 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM and dead trunks are sometimes riddled by the insect. One small dead hard pine had been tunneled by this species to the hight of 4 feet from the ground. It was a somewhat common species in decaying hard pine ermes fUvip of female; d-ma.] i and claw; a, ci, iv. Ent. Bui. 4. n ale; 3=terminal abdominal segment of s inflated; .--side view of abdomen of female; /_ ed; t, c, f are greatly enlarged. (After Maria stumps near IVIanor 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. The insects, however, may make their way from flavipes: «_dorsal view of head of winged female; !■ veiH th parts open, greatly enlarged. {."Vfter Marlatt, U. S. Dep't Agr: 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 Ohio, 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 8q their annoying operations in dwellings in Albany 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, except 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. 13 Termes fiavipes: ,.=dorsai the presencc of siiiall Open gangways, covered view of newly hatched larva; *_ven tral aspect of same; <-=egg, all enlarged. (After Marlatt, U. S. Dep't Agric. Div Ent. Bui. 4. n. s. i8g6) 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 abnormally 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. ^=young of winged female; t:-=worke U. S. Dep't Agric. Div. Ent. Bui. 4. n. 9° NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM Bibliography 1896 Marlatt, C. L. U. S. Dep't Agric. Div. Ent. Bui. 4. n. s. p. 70-76 Large black carpenter ant Campojioius hci'crilajtetis 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 apparently unable 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, and 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 the time of observation, was badly infested with Tomicus balsa me us 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 9I Linden borer Sapcrda vcsf/ta Say Large, irregular galleries at the base of the tree, inhabited by a white, legless borer, are very likely the work of fhis species. This insect is a rather common borer of the linden and is occasionally quite injurious. It not only attacks full grown trees used for ornamental purposes but sometimes occurs in the nursery, where it may cause consid- erable injury. 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 killino- 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 from 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 experience it occurs very largely in exposed roots and subterranean parts, though it has been taken from the lower limbs of large trees [sec 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 impossible to control this insect on other than valuable trees, and for such, digging 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. N. Y. State Mas. Bui. 74, p. 54-58 Ash borer Podoscsia Jraxini Lugger Boring ash trunks, a wliite, sparsely haired caterpillar. This species is very closely allied to P. syringae and according to Dr Lugger, its describer, is very common in the 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 they 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 young trees succumb easily while larger ones may survive the attack for many years. 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. Thorax 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. Expanse : male, 25-30 mm ; female, 30-35 mm. Bciitenimillcr INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 03 Locust borer Cyllcnc Tobiuiac P'orst. Irregular ugly scars opening into burrows aliout }{ inch in diameter are very com- mon on our native black locust. This is the work of a black beetle, less than ^4 '"ch 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 New 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 Mr S. 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. NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 94 This species was noticed in 1866 by Dr Walsh who states that till 20 years before it was unknown in Illinois; 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, and 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, and in a note the following year records it from Lawrence Kan., where it had been observed by a correspondent in 1865. Dr Walsh clearly distinguished between this species and the hickory borer, Clytus pictus Drury. Dr Fitch 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 probability the species occurs all over that portion of the country in which the locust grows. This statement of Dr Fitch's is confirmed by Messrs Walsh and Riley receiving this borer from Omaha Neb., in 1868. Rev. C. J. S. Bethune writing of this insect in 1877, states that it was first recorded in Canada in 1855, when some locust trees at Montreal were attacked and in 1862 it began to be very destructive 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. D. 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. F. 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 Philip Laurent has recorded injurious work by this borer in and about Philadelphia in 1893. He states that in a grove of young trees varying from i to 6 inches in diameter, there was not one of them that did INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 95 not show the destructive work of this insect. . Many of the trees were completely honeycombed by the larvae. Description. The adult insect is cylindric and ranges in lentjth from a trirte over ^ to about ^ inch. It is a dull black color, brightly marked with golden yellow, as shown in plate 5, figure 3. The antennae and legs are a dull yellowish. The pupa is nearly ^ 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, somewhat 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 and divided in two halves by a transverse fold ; the latter half has the anal opening at the tip. All these segments are beset with short golden hairs on the sides. There are no feet, as in the L a m i i. Ostcn Sac ken 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 ^^ inch in diameter. The inner portion of the trunk of an infested tree is frequently 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 extends down to the exit hole [pi. 5]. Life history and habits. The life history and habits of this insect have been very well described by Dr 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 torpid 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 droppmg 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. Dearborn, 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 AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 07 This insect resembles the painted hickory borer very closely indeed, and the two can be distinguished more easily by 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 stoyt, 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 New 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, Prionoxystus robiniae 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. N. Y. 5th Rep't, p. 50-52 1890 Packard, A. S. U. S. Ent. Com. 5th Rep't, p. 355-58 98 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM Poplar borer Sapcrda calcarata Say Large, blackened, swollen scars on the surface of the trunk and limbs are very 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 Dr 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 Nebraska, away from the friendly care of birds and parasitic enemies. Description. The parent insect is a magnificent beetle about i Y^ 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 AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND 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 early 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 weather 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 honeycombed 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 borer ranges from Canada south to Texas and entirely across the United States. It appears to be somewhat common in most localities. Remedies. It is manifestly impossible to control this insect on other than valuable trees, and in such situations digging 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. N. Y. State Mus. Bui. 74, p. 39-44 Mottled willow borer Cryptorhynchus lapatJii 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 the posterior third of the 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 the willow, and apparently his prediction is being fulfilled. History and distribution in New York State. Mr Ottomar Dietz found this species on Staten Island in 1886 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 1898, by Mr M. F. Adams of Buffalo, who reported it as seriously injuring 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 considerable damage to nursery stock. ' 1887 Juelich, William. Entomologica Americana. 3: 123. INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES IQI Its reception the same year 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 years, and 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 be most injurious to the balm of Gilead. 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 al.so found that the insect bred in nearly all species of poplars and willows and had observed serious injuries in many of the larger nurseries in eastern Massachusetts. Distribution. This species, as stated by Professor Webster, is common in Europe, 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, through New York into Ohio, it doubtless having 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 }^ to 3/s inch in length. Its body is a dull black, with little spots or tufts of jet-black scales or hairs on the thora.x and wing covers. The posterior third of the wing covers, the sides of the thora.x, 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 3/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 j4 inch in length, fleshy, white and footless. The egg has been described by Pro- fessor Webster as oval, pale yellowish white and from 1.5 to .8 mm wide. Life history. The adult beetles appear in midsummer. They have been observed by Mr M. F. Adams at Buffalo N. Y., 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 deposits 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, and in the case of small trees it may frequently be carried nearly half way around. The injury 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, frequently for a distance of 3 or 4 inches. 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 April, 1900, showed that most of the grubs were in the central part of the burrow, and apparently were full grown. There were other small grubs working around the base of the buds and 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 I/25 inch long, and the largest 5 times that size. The burrows of these smaller grubs, as observed by us frequently nearly encircle the bud, and produce a brownish discoloration, different from the INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES IO3 purple color seen near the laroer 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 willow, 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 work 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 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM Lilac borer Podoscsia syringae 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 sign of- its presence in midsummer being the sudden wilting of a shoot. It has been found at work in ashtrees in Brooklyn by the late Rev. G. B. 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 part of the summer making its galleries through both sap and heart wood of limbs 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 Dr Kellicott found this species also boring in mountain ash. Its recorded distribution has been given as New England, 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 segments 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. Fore 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, ve'ns, discal mark, and margin deep brown, sometimes 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. Beutenmuller INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES IO5 DESTRUCTIVE tEAF FEEDEUS Certain species of leaf feeders have been exceedingly destructive to shade trees in New York State in recent years, and in making selections for this group it is probable that some will be omitted, 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 maple and other trees in midsummer . . Forest tent caterpillar, M a 1 a c o s o m a d i s s t r i a, p. 1 06 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, Porthetria dispar, 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, Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis, p. 123 Light green, white marked caterpillars about 2 inches long sometimes occur in immense numbers 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 p a 1 e u c o s t i g m a, p. 132 Conspicuous web tents in July and August, inclosing foliage at the tips of branches, which is soon skeletonized and turns brown Fall webworm, Hyphantria textor, 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, Galerucella luteola, 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 x 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 caterpillar, Euvanessa antiopa, p. 158 Circular, somewhat irregular mines occur 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, Euproctis chrysorrhoea, p. i6j 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 larch needles with hollow apex and small circular hole on one side Larch case bearer, Coleophora 1 a r i c e 1 1 a, p. 170 Forest tent caterpillar : maple worm jMalacosoma disstria Hiibn. Blue-headed caterpillars with 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. Stripping a large proportion of the foliage from maples has been a marked characteristic of this species for the last four or five years in many sections of New York, the climax being reached in 1898 and 1899. The sugar maples of Delaware, Greene and Otsego counties suffered most severely from the 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 complaints received from about half the counties in the State, and in some sections the depredations were worse than ever. This species appeared in force in many 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 comparative abundance in a locality is there- fore due to natural causes, favorable or otherwise, and very 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 Dr Riley, who reported the species as being quite destructive in certain parts of western New York in 1857. Peter Ferris 10 years later, states that this insect had been troublesome in western INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES I07 New York for 12 or more years. A serious outbreak at Kingsbury, Wash- ington CO., was brought to the attention of Dr Lintner in 1889. About 10 acres were defoliated at that time. These depredations, however, are insig- nificant compared with those occurring in 1897 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 Columbia counties, and in 1 901, the injury was still less, though far from being 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 Virginia as to strip the oak-trees bare." In his 3d report [^sce citation], Dr Riley credits this species with completely stripping the "over-cup timber" on the overflow bottoms near Des Arc Ark., and records extensive injuries by it in many parts of Missouri. In the 8th Report on the Inseets of Missouri, it is stated that this species stripped oak I08 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM forests over hundreds of square miles in the Southern States, and that in the vicinity of Memphis, in 1862, the larvae were so abundant as to frequently stop trains going in and out of the city. In 1889 another instance of trains being stopped was brought to the notice of the division of entomology. United States Department of Agriculture {^Insect 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 [Itisect Life. 1891. 3:477], and hindrance to travel was accompanied by the defoliation of many trees over large areas. This species was excessively 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 woods were so void 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 years in New York State has been duplicated to a great extent in Vermont and New Hampshire. The caterpillars committed very extensive ravages in 1897 along the Ottawa river, stripping the aspen groves of every leaf and seriously injuring other trees {^Ofiawa 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 Fabr., by the fact that no conspicuous web tent is spun. This caterpillar [pi. 7, fig. 13] INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES lOQ has a row of somewhat diamond-shaped whitish spots down the midtUe of the back, while its close relative possesses a narrow whitish stripe in place of the dots. The e_(jo- belts [pi. 7, i\g. 12] encirclinjr 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 spun 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. 15]. The moths are light, buff colored, active creatures [pi. 7, fig. 10, 11]. The male may be recognized by his richer coloring, smaller size, and feathery antennae [pi. 7, fig. 11]. Life history and habits. The winter is passed by the well developed larvae within the eggshell. On 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. V. 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 [pi. 7, fig. 16]. When not feeding, the larvae may be found in clusters on the limbs. They also resort to such places when 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 silken thread, a position very annoying to persons obliged 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 frequently form good sized clusters on the larger limbs and trunk of an infested tree. 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. Ordinarily, as the caterpillars approach maturity, many of them forsake the tree and crawl in all directions. Thus in obedience 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 i, 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, the moths appearing the latter part of June and during July, mostly 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 the ground and 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 Dr Riley, are those belonging to the same group as the black oak. In New York and adjoining states this insect is reported more frequently as defoliating the sugar maple than any other tree. This may be owing to the fact that large sugar orchards afford the most favorable conditions 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 ( L i q u i d a m b a r s t y r a - ciflua), dogwood, " black gum," sour gum (Nyssa sylvatica), ash, elm, black walnut, hickory, walnut, oak, black oak, post oak, white birch, gray birch, willow and poplar. INSECTS AFFF.CTING 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 be 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 fly. 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 greatly 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 only 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 Lirrineria fugitiva Say, and Fig. 15 Pimplaconquisitor:i2 = larva ; b = head of same ; c = pupa ; ^= adult female — all enlarged. Lines beside figures represent natural size. (After Howard, U. S. Dep't Agric. Div. Ent. Tech. Ser. 5. 1897) Mr Saunders states that Pimpla pedalis Cress preys on this species. Pimpla conquisitor Say was reared from several pupae collected in Delaware county in 1897, the large proportion 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 INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES I I? fulvescens Hrulle, recorded as a secondary parasite of Pimplas, was common at Slingerlands, and a considerable number were reared from cocoons. A n o m a 1 o n exile Prov. was reared in small numbers from cocoons received from Lyons Falls and Glens Falls. Pteromalus vanessae How. was also obtained from the latter place. The following dipterous parasites have been recorded by Mr Coquillett: Euphorocera claripennis Macq., Frontina frenchii Will., Tachina mella 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 Calosoma scrutator Fabr., 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 w i 1 c o x i LeC. fed readily in con- finement on the larvae of this insect. Two pre- daceous hemiptera, Podisus placid us Uhler and P. serieventris Uhler, as stated by Kirk- land, feed on the caterpillars. A mite, ? T r o m- b i d i u m sp., was discovered by William Saunders Fig- -e Fiery cround bee.ie, J ^ . , . Calosoma caliJum. (After destroymg many clusters of eggs. Riiey) 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 3/^6 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 wmter 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 host 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 find 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 can 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 middle around a tree and the upper portion turned down over the string and allowed to hang loosely, is a difficult obstacle for caterpillars to surmount, so long as it remains dry. Wide bands of paper coated with tar or of sticky fly 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 used to prevent the caterpillars from climbing the trees. It is safer to put lard, cottolene and similar oily preparations on close fit- tino- paper bands rather than to apply them direct to the trunk. When the pests are very abundant 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 bands. 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. A more agreeable method is spray- INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 115 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 appro.ximately 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 898 Felt, E. P. State Ent. 14th Rep't N. V. State Mus. Bui. 23, p. 191-201 898 Fish. Game and For. Com. 4th Rep't, p. 374-80 899 Lowe, V. H. N. Y. Agric. Exp. Sta. Bui. 15, p. 33-60 899 Slingerland, M. V. Cornell Agric. Exp. Sta. Bui. 170, p. 557-64 899 Felt, E. P. N. Y. State Agric. Soc. Trans. 59 1275-76 9°i State Ent. i6th Rep't N. Y. State Mus. Bui. 36, p. 994-98 Il6 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM Gipsy moth PortJictyia 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. An introduced species which works very locally. This species has attracted more attention in America in all probability than any other imported insect with the exception 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 country. 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 pest was issued by the agricultural experiment, 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 exterminate this species. The closing decade of the last century 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 occasion for extreme alarm. This 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 pest 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. Favoring circumstances may bring about its introduction within a year or two or it may not occur for a number of years. Forewarned is forearmed and while the extermination of the pest in America may now be placed 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 it in the 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 increased 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 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM and towns in Massachusetts. Its presence in large numbers at Providence R. I., was discovered in 1901 and other infested locaHties 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 expect. 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 nonscientific 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, fig. 15] 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 fixed object near at hand, preferably 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 ^ io 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. There is a prominent hairy tubercle on either side of the 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 25^ 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. 16]. The somewhat conical, dark brown pupa ranges from ^ to i^ inches long and is well represented in figure 17 on plate 9. It is usually found INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES II9 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, black marked creature with featherlike antennae and having a wing spread of about i Yz 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 ^^ « inch in length, 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 brown, well developed thoracic shiekl and with a heavily chit;- inized area on the dorsum of the second thoracic segment. The dorsal sur- 1 68 ' NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 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. The 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 slightly diverging and sloping a little from the median line, the antennae being appressed and extended forward in a straight line. Remedial measures. This species, like the 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 TJiiodia sign a tana Clem. Red maple leaves folded in August or September, containing a long, tapering, blackish trumpetlike tube, with the adjacent tissues of the underside skeletonized, are very characteristic of this insect. This species is one which 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 N. Y. It was also abundant on maples at Onteora N. 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 opening 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 development of the caterpillar. Description. The nearly full grown caterpillar is about ^ inch in INSECTS AFFFXTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 169 lenoth, head yellowish and body a variable lii;ht green. The mouth parts are distinctly brown, the mandibles being tridentate with their apices dark brown ; eyes 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 w^as first described by Clemens under the name of C a s t a s t e g a aceriella. It was later referred by Dr Dyar to Clemens's species originally named H e d 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 an-, protruding anal filaments. The male is not seen without special search "^t is a delicate, two winged, reddish insect with rather large antennae and a pair of white anal filaments nearly twice the length of its body [pi 3 fi-. 18J. It moves slowly over the limbs in a clumsy way, is not easily dist^urbed and rarely takes wing. A most interesting feature is the occurrence of two forms. The normal one has already been described, but 10 days earlier than its occurrence there maybe found large numbers of males which are characterized by the possession of wing pads but no Winers These are known as pseudimagos and one is represented at figure 1 7, "plate 3. The reason for the existence of two forms of males is unknown. , . , .1 r Life history This insect is most conspicuous during the months of April May and June, at which time the females are preparing to give birth to their young, which make their appearance in the latitude of Albany early in luly 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 lar^.e numbers o; the greener tips of the twigs. Occasionally a twig will be\lmost 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 enough and are carried away on the falling leaves and scattered by the winds. The winter is passed as partly grown insects which are quite well protected by a waxy secretion from the dorsal and lateral processes. The first warm weather in spring brings signs of activity. Early in April the females molt and the males form their cocoons. At this time many travel considerable distances before establishing themselves ; this is specially true of the males, which are quite apt to spin cocoons on dead twigs. Honeydew 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 numbers 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 appearance of the female. Her form changes from eliptic [pi. 3, fig. 14] to oval [pi. 3, fig. 16] and the secretion of the wax is much more copious and is mainly from the lateral spines instead of from both lateral and dorsal, as occurred in the fall. This bark louse, like the elm leaf beetle, appears to thrive best on the European species of I'lmus, specially the .Scotch elm. Means of distribution. This insect can be carried long distances on young trees and it is undoubtedly in this way that it has succeeded in establishing itself at the widely separated points named above. Its rapid dissemination throughout a city is probably due to the agency of birds, particularly the English sparrow. There appears to be no other adequate explanation of the general occurrence of this pest throughout Albany 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, compared with birds which habitually fiy from tree to tree, that it can not be considered as a source of much danger. Natural enemies. It is very probable that a number of ladybeetles in both adult antl larval condition feed to some extent on the young of this insect. The two spotted ladybeetle. Ad alia bipunctata Linn., has INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 207 been seen in considerable numbers about infested 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. Spra\ing with a contact insecticide, kerosene emulsion or a whale oil soap solution, is probably 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 app(;ar- ance. A solution four times the normal strength is necessary to kill the insects late in the fall. Small trees have been effectually cleaned by going over them with a stilf brush and this would l)e more effective 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. Y. 12th Rep't, p. 292-9S 1898 Felt, E. P. \. V. State Mus. Hul. 20, p. lo-iS 1899 Fish. Game and For. Com. 5th Rep't, p. 375-79 Elm scurfy scale C/u'oiiaspis aiiicricaiia Johns. A whitish, irregularly oval insect, about y% 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 New York State, for all that it was not characterized till 1895. The reason for this is that in all probability it has been confused with the exceedingly common, widely distributed scurfy scale, Chionaspis furfurfa Fitch. This species sometimes becomes very abundant and is destructive to a certain extent, but in New York .State at least we have met with very few trees which showed serious injur)' as a result of its presence. Life history. The insect passes the winter in the G.gg stage, the young 233 -'^'EW YORK STATE MUSEUM appearing at Amherst Mass., according to Professor Cooley, about the middle of May and all emerging within a very short time. Professor John- son's observations show that the insect is two brooded and that the females confine themselves to the bark 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, but the number varies from a very few to about 85. Distribution. This is a native American species and appears to have a wide rano-e, it having been recorded from a number 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 broadest near the middle, about i 8 inch in length, convex, moderately thick and white, though often coated by black particles 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 )'oung and adults of the twice stabbed ladybug, 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 1899 Cooley, R. A. Mass. Agric Exp. Sta. Spec. Bui. p. 41-43 Tuliptree scale Eidccaniuiu tulipifcrac Cook Larr^e nearly hemispheric brownish scales occurring in clustered masses on the underside of the limbs of tuliptrees. The tuliptree is commonly unaffected by insects, but in this large species of Eulecanium it finds an enemy that occasionally causes con- siderable injury. Several twigs from a tuliptree, showing a very bad con- INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 200 dition of affairs | pi. 12, fig. 6], were received Oct. 11, 189S, from Mr Alfred Pell, of Highland- Falls N. Y., with an inciuir)- 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 (.leformetl. 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 )oung were still issuing from the parents, as a number of paler individuals were to be seen crawling over the twigs. Branches of Magnolia soulangeana badly infested by this species have also been received recently from Fishkill. Earlier injuries by this species. In 1S78 this scale insect was men- tioned by Professor Cook as one that frequently destroys tuliptrees in Michigan. He states it was so abundant in 1S70 on the college grounds at Lansing Mich., that some of the trees were killed outright and others much injured. In the Rural Xcic 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 \'icinity were attacked by 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 Experiment 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, fig. 6j. Some received measured 3 10 inch in diameter. The scale is light brown, mottled with dark brown, 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 oblique pair nearer one extremity, probably the anterior. Both are interrupted in the middle. The young [pi. 12, fig. 8, 9] at this time [October] range in color from a light brown to almost black. The abdominal segments are NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM sharply defined, the cavdal extremity is notched, and from the tips of the last segment there extends a pair of delicate filaments. The yovmg have a general resemblance to tiny trilobites. Life history. No signs of eggs were to be r/sen, 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, and it hibernates as larvae at Washington D. 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 beintr 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 1 a v o s c 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 1S98 Felt, E. P. N. Y. State Ent. 14th Rep't. X. V. State Mus. Bui. 2^. p. 213-16 INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 211 Oyster scale Lcpidosaplics uliiii Linn. A brownish oyster shell-like scale, about )8 inch long, may be found on a consider- able number of food plants though usually more abundant on ash and balm of Gilead. 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 fnuits. It is also occasionally quite abundant on some of our forest trees and the writer has observed a number of cases where ash saplings of considerable size have become literally incrusted with this insect and died. 'It is sometimes nearly as abundant on balm of Gilead and some pojjlars, though these trees do not as a rule succumb so readily to attacks by this insect. This species has been noticed so many times that only a brief summary of its life history and habits is advisable in this connection. Description. The adult female scale is about ]/% inch long, usually slightly curvcil and widening from a slender tip to a broad rounded pos- terior end. The scale has at its anterior end a yellowish very small pel- licle, the first cast skin of the young, 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 variable brown color marked with curved, transverse lines or wrinkles. The female is found beneath the scale, and when alive is a yellowish, legless, wingless, eyeless form about ' i^ inch in length. The female scale turned over in winter will be found to contain a large number 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, yellowish, and to the naked eye appear like specks \scc pi. 13, fig. 9-14]. Life history. This insect produces but one generation annually in the northern states though in the south there may be two. The winter is passed in the &^'g 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 literally yellow because of their NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM abundance. Professor Lowe has observed them at Geneva N. Y., as early 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 young, and when numerous, the infested branches are adorned with patches of white 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. Fully 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 female deposits from 50 to 100 eggs. Food plants- This species is of economic 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 numbers and has been recorded on willow, lin- den, horse-chestnut, elm, sugar and swamp maple. Natural enemies. A small hymenopterous maggot was observed by Dr Fitch to live on the eggs of this pest. What was in all probability the same parasite was described by Dr Le Baron some years later as A p h e 1 i- nus m y t i 1 asp i d i s, which he found had destroyed from about 50^^ to 6o;» of the scales. Aphelinus fuscipennis 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 accompanying figure will give a good idea of the appearance of these tiny Chalcids. The best evidence of their work is the small circular holes in the dead scales, orifices by which these little friends have escaped. Aphelinus a b n o r m i s How. is another parasite of this bark louse. A n a p h e s gracilis How. 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. Fig- 35 A s p i J INSECTS AFFECTIXG PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 213 Coccinellitl or ladybcctle larvae prey on this species, and certain mites, like T y r o y 1 y p h u s ni a 1 u s Sliimer, are 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 H e m i- sarcoptes coccisugus Lign., which does \aliant service in destroying them. Three European lairds, 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 applying a contact insecticide about June I in order to kill the young scale insects before they are protected by a thick scale. Bibliography 1856 Fitch, Asa. Ins. X. Y. ist Rep't, p. 31-38 1894 Howard, L. O. U. S. Dep't Agric. Year Liook. 1894. p. 254-59 1901 Felt, E. P. X. Y. State JNIus. Bui. 46, p. 297-300 Euonymus scale Cliionaspis cuoiiyuii Comst. Dirty blackish scale insects, about '/la incli 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 2 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 brought to the writer's attention on several occasions because of its great abundance on Euonymus. This species appeared to be specially numerous in 1899, when it was received by the writer from Fishkill, where it occurred on Euonymus ; from Great Neck N. Y., where it abounded on lilac, and from Irvington, where it thrived on Prunus pissardi and was stated to be present on other shrubs. It was also received in 1900 from Blauvelt N. Y., where it infested Celastrus scan dens. [-Stv pi. 14, fig. 10-13 for colored figures of this pest and its work] 2 14. '^'EW YORK STATE MUSEUM This species has received very Httle attention at the hands of economic entomoloo^ists, 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 found in crreat 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. Prof. T. D. A. Cockerell has recorded the reception of this species on plants imported from Japan, indicating that the insect has an extended distribution. A sintde parasite, Aphelinus fuscipennis How., has been reared at the United .States Department of Agriculture from this insect. Remedial measures. Experiments conducted by Dr C. L. JMarlatt against this insect have demonstrated that the young could 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. U. S. Dep't .\gric. Rep't 1880. p. 313-14 Scurfy scale C/n'ojmsp/s furfura Fitch A whitish, scurfy appear.mce on the trunks and limbs of certain trees may be due to the presence of large numbers of this scale insect. The female scale is irregular, oval, with a yellowisli point and about ' „:, inch in length. Tlie male scale is three ridged, snow white, with a yellowish jjoint at one extremity. This exceedingly common species is of interest in this connection largely on account of its occurring so abundantly on the Japanese quince. It is sometimes present in such large numbers that the bark is nearly covered with dirty white, scurflike patches and it is from this that the pop- ular name of the insect has been derived. INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 215 Description. The fresh female scale is irregularly oval in outlin,e, about ■ lo 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 usuallj' 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 May. They soon establish themselves at favorable points on the bark of the trunk antl branches, and begin drawing nourishment from the underlying tissues. Occasionally they 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 purplish eggs may be found under the scale. There is but one generation in the Northern States, though it is . 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 branch 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 flower- ing currant, black walnut and black alder (C 1 e t h r a a 1 n i f o 1 i a). It is 2l6 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM possible that more than one species may have been confused, though Mr Kino- has recently compiled a list of 23 food plants on which this form is said to occur. Distribution. This species is common over a large proportion of New York State, 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 Edward Island. Natural enemies. One hymenopterous parasite. Abler us clisio- campae Ashm., has been bred from this scale insect by Dr Howard. Two Coccinellids, H y p e r a s p i d i u s species and C h i 1 o c o r u s b 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 insect are the same as those advised for the oyster scale, to which the reader is referred. Bibliography 1856 Fitch, Asa. Ins. N. Y. 3d Rep't, p. 34-35 1S94 Howard, L. O. U. S. Dep't Agric. Year Book, p. 259-61 1901 Felt, E. P. N. Y. State Mus. Bui. 46, p. 300-4 San Jose scale Aspidiotiis pcrniciosiis Comst. A circular, grayish or yellowish scale insect, about y,6 inch in diameter, and frequently surrounded by large numbers of much smaller, nearly black scales having a central nipple and one or two grayish rings. This introduced species has become so well known 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 number of other plants grown in parks for ornamental purposes 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 badly infested for some time have a rough bark covered with INSF.CTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 21 7 dark gray scurfy patches, and if this be rul^bed with tlie oljliquc edge of a knife or even with the fingernail, an oily yellowish substance will be crushed from the living insects under the 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 '/16 inch in diameter, nearl)- circular, and with a central dark nipple, and one or more well defined yellow rings. The young scales are nearly 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 spmewhat 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. Vital 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 2yi^ hours as determined by Professor Lowe. The young soon establishes itself, inserts its slender proboscis in the bark and begins to feed. The development of the scale begins even before the young has selected its feeding place, as very minute waxy fila- 21 8 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM ments, which 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 Dr 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 bare list of plants is reproduced below. List of hardy trees, shrubs and vines commonly or badly infested Acacia sp. P o p u 1 u s' d e 1 t o i d e s Marsh. Carolina A k e b i a sp. New York. poplar. A keb i a q u in a t a Decaisne. Populus nigra Linn. var. italica Amelanchier canadensis Medic. DuRoi. Lombardy poplar. and other species. Shadbush, Juneberry. Prunus amygdalus Stokes. Almond. Citrus trifoliata Linn. Prunus armeniaca Linn. Apricot. Corn us alba Linn. var. sibirira Prunus avium Linn. Sweet cherry. Lodtl. Prunus p u m i 1 a Linn. Cornus baileyi Coult & Evans. Prunus p u m i 1 a var. b e s s e y i Waugh. Corn us sanguine a Linn. Sand cherry. Cotone aster sp? Prunus cerasifera Ehrh. var. a t r o- Co t o n ea s t e r V ulgari s. Lindl. purpurea Dipp. (P. pissardi) Crataegus sp. Hawthorn. Purpie4eaved plum. Crataegus cordata Soland. Prunus domestica Linn. European Crataegus o .x y a c a n t h a Linn., Eng- plum. lish hawthorn. Prunus hortulana Bailey. Wild Crataegus c o c c i n e a Linn. goose plum. Crataegus crus-galli Linn. Prunus japonica Thunb. Flowering Cydonia vulgaris P«rs. Quince. almond. Cydonia japonica Pers. Japanese or P r u n us m a r i t i m a Waugh. Beach flowering quince. plum. Fag us sylvatica Linn. var. p u r p u- P r u n u s p e r s i c a Sieb. & Zucc. Peach. rea Ait, European purple-leaved beech. Prunus tri flora Roxbg. Japanese J u g 1 a n s s i e b o 1 d i a n a Maxim. Japan- plum. ese walnut. Prunus serotina Ehrh. Cherry. Ligustrum vulgare Linn. Privet. Prunus virginiana Linn. Choke- Pop ulus sp. Poplar. cherry. ' 1903. Britton, W. E. Ct. State Ent. 2d Rep't. 1902. p. 132-37 INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 2IQ P tele a t r i f o 1 i a t a Linn. Hoptree. Acer s a c c h a r i n u m . Weir's cut P y r u s CO m m u n i s Linn. Pear. leaved maple. Pyriis sinensis Lindl. Sand pear, in- Acfer platanoides Linn. Norway eluding Kieffer. maple. Py r Li s bacca t a Linn. Actinidia arguta Mig. (A. p o 1 y- Pyrus mains Linn. .Vjijile. g a in a). Pyrussp. Crab apple. , Aesculus h i p p o c a s t a n e u m Linn. R i bes o X y a c a n t ho i d es Linn, (loose- Horse-chestnut. I'errv. A 1 n u s sp. Alder. Ribes aureiim Pursh. Missouri or A m j) e 1 o p s i s q u i n (| u e f o 1 i a ALrhx. flowering ( urrant. Virginia creeper. Ribes r u b r u ni Linn. Currant. lie tula sp. Pirch. Ribes nigrum Linn. Black currant. Bet u la alba Linn. Cut leaved white Rosa sp. Rose. birch. Rosa Carolina Linn. Buxus sp. Box. Rosa luci da Ehrh. ' C a s t a n e a a m e r i c a n a Raf. Chestnut. Rosa Virginian a Mill. Catalpa sp. Rosa r ugosa Thunb. Catalpa bignonoides Walt. Com- Salixsp. 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 ni 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 p o n i c u m Sieb. Salix vitellina Linn. & Zucc. Salix baby Ionic a Linn. Weeping C i t r u s a u r a n t i u m Linn. willow. C o r n u s a 1 1 e r n i f o 1 i a Linn. Salix hum i lis ALarsh. Corn us stolonifera Michx. Salix i n c a n a Schrank. Corn us circinata L'Herit. .Sorbus sp. Mountain ash. Corn us a m o m u m Mill. Sorbus am eric an a Marsh. Ameri- C o r n u s c a n d i d i s s i m a Marsh. can mountain ash. C o r n u s f 1 o r i d a Linn. Sorbus aucuparia Linn. European C o r n u s f 1 o r i d a. Red flowering cornus. mountain ash. D e u t z i a sp. Sorbus melanocarpa C. Koch. Diospyros virginiana Linn. Per- (.\ronia nigra Koehne.) Black simmon. chokeberry. _ Elaegnus sp. S y m p h o r i c a r p u s r a c e m o s u s Elaegnus 1 o n g i p e s Gray. Silver Michx. Snowberry. thorn. S y r i n g a vulgaris Linn. Lilac. Eucalyptus sp. Syringa p e r .s i c a Linn. Persian lilac. Euonymus sp. Tilia sp. Bassvvood, Linden. F i c u s' c a r i c a Linn. Fig. Till a am eric an a Linn. American P' o r s y t h i a sp. linden or basswood. Fraxinus sp. Ash. Toxylon pomiferum Raf. Osage Fraxinus am eric an a Linn White orange. ash. U 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 Ulmus americana Linn, .\merican locust. ^""- Hibiscus syriacus Linn. Shrubby Ulmus c a m p e s t r i s Smith. English or althea. European elm. Hicoria pecan Britt. Pecan nut. r\^^^^:^ II 1 • r ^ J .1 u gl an s n i gra Linn. Black walnut. Occasionally or rarely infested Tuglans regia Linn. Persian or Eng- Acersp. ALaple. lish walnut. Acer saccharin um Linn. Silver Kalmia lati folia Linn. Mountain maple. laurel. 2 20 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM Kerria japonica DC. Globe flower, Carpinus sp. Hornbeam. ' Japanese rose. C e d r u s sp. Cedar. L i g u s t r u ni ovalifolium Hassk. Celastrus scan dens Linn. Bitter- California privet. sweet. L o n i c e r a sp. Honeysuckle. 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. Morussp. Mulberry. Buttonbush. Morus sp. Tea's weeping mulberry. Cercis canadensis Linn. Judas tree, Physocarpus opulifolius Maxim. Redbud. P i c e a alba Link. White spruce. C h a m a e d a ]> h n e c a 1 y c u 1 a t a Prunus cerasus Linn. Sour cherry. Moench. (Cassandra.) Leather leaf. P h o t i n i a v 1 1 1 o s a DC. C h i o n a n t h u s v i r g i n i c a Linn. Rhodotypos kerrioides Sieb. & Fringetree. Zucc. Cladrastis tinctoria Raf. Yellow- R h u s sp. Sumac. wood. R h u s c o t i n u s Linn. Smoke bush. Clethra alnifolia Linn. Sweet pep- Rob i n i a sp. Locust. perbush. Rub us strigosus Michx. Red rasp- Corylus sp. Filbert. Hazelnut. berry. Daphne m e z e r e u m. Linn. Rubus nigrobaccus Bailey. (R. vil- Diervilla sp. Weigela. 1 o s u s). Common blackberry. Dirca palustris Linn. Leatherwood, Rubus villosus Ait. (R. canaden- moosewood. sis). Dewberry. Exochorda grandiflora Liudl. S a m b u c u s sp. Elder. Pearl bush. Sassafras officinale Nees. Sassa- Gaylussacia sp. Huckleberry. fras. Genista tinctoria Linn. Dyer's Sorbaria sorbifoliaA. Braun. (S p i- greenweed. raea sorbifolia L.) Ginkgo biloba Linn. Maidenhair- Spiraea sp. tree. Thuya o c c i d e n t a 1 i s Linn. Arbor G y m n o c 1 a d u s canadensis Lam. vitae. Kentucky Coffee tree. Viburnum sp. Halesia tetraptera Linn. Silver Viburnum c a s s i n o i d e s Linn. bell. Snowdrop tree. Viburnum o p u 1 u s Linn. H a m a rn e 1 i s v i r g i n i a n a Linn. V i t i s sp. Grapes. Witch-hazel. H e d e r a helix Linn. English ivy. Not infested Hicoria sp. (Excepting H. pecan Ailanthus gland ulosa Desf. Tree Britt.) Hickory. of Heaven. Hydrangea (all species). A m o r p h a f r u t i c o s a Linn. Hypericum m o s e r i a n u m Andre. Andromeda sp. Gold flower. A r alia spinosa Linn. Hercules' club. Ilex sp. Aristolochia macrophylla Lam. 1 1 e a v i r g i n i c a Linn. Virginian willow. Dutchman's pipe. Jasminum nudiflorum Lindl. Yel- Asimina triloba Dun. Papaw. low jasmine. B a c c h a r i s h a 1 i m i f o 1 i a Linn. J u g 1 a n s c i n e r e a Linn. Butternut. Groundsel tree. J u n i p e r u s sp. Juniper. Benzoin o d o r i f e r u m Nees. (Lindera K o e 1 r e u t e r i a p a n i c u 1 a t a Laxm. Benzoin Blume.) Spicebush. Varnish tree. Berberis (allspecies). Barberry, includ- Laburnum v u 1 g a r e Griseb. Golden ing Mahonia. chain. Bignonia sp. Trumpet vine. Larix sp. Larch. Calycanthus florid us Linn. Caro- Liquidambar styraciflua Linn. lina allspice, sweet scented shrub. 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 c r a Linn. Sciadopitys verticil lata Sieb. & Tuliptree. Zucc. Umbrella pine. L y c i u ni h a 1 i ni i f o 1 i u m Mill. ?vlatri- Shepherd i a sp. mony vine. Smilax ,sp. Magnolia (all species). Soph or a japonica Linn. Ja[)anese Myrica cerifera Linn. Wax myrtle. pagoda tree. Nyssa sylvatica IVLirsh. Tiqielo, Staph y lea sp. lihidder nut. Pepperidge, Rlack gum. Sour gum. S t e p h a n a n d r a f 1 e x u o s a Siob. & Ostrya virginica Wild. Hornbeam, Zucc.. Ironwood. Styrax japonica Sieb.