288 AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



England and elsewhere. This insect is about equally well 

 characterized as a burnished copper in color with dark blvie 

 reflections or as a dark metallic blue with coppery red reflec- 

 tions. Since its work on our elms has placed it among the 

 economic species of the State, the station entomologists have 

 had it under observation as to its life history and habits. Late 

 in June the beetles deposit their yellow eggs in rows along the 

 midrib and other veins of the elm leaves. During June the 

 adult beetles feed upon the elm leaves but the chief damage 

 is done by the young which hatch from the eggs and feed 

 greedily until later in July when they descend to the ground 

 for pupation. This pest can be combated by the same remedies 

 that are applied in the case of the imported elm leaf beetle. 



The spruce bud moth occurred in alarming numbers in the 

 State this year. Reports were received early in July from a 

 number of localities. An interesting featvire of this invasion 

 is the presence of several species of parasites. 



Among the beneficial insects which are being investigated are 

 parasites of the red hump caterpillar, of the spruce bud moth, 

 of the beet leaf miner, and particularly of the brown-tail moth. 

 The presence of a hyperparasite upon the parasites of red hump 

 caterpillar is noteworthy. 



II. STUDIES ON SPECIAL GROITPS OF INSECTS. 



Of plant lice those affecting peas, potatoes, the maple and the 

 alder have been given special attention. 



Several years special study of the plant louse found in the 

 white woolly-looking masses on the stems of alder very com- 

 mon in this State has enabled the station entomologists to as- 

 certain the previously unsuspected fact that this species is the 

 same that attacks the leaves of the native and ornamental 

 maples, rendering them unsightly objects, during seasons of 

 abundance. The winged females migrate from the alder to 

 the maple in the fall and the eggs of the species winter over in 

 crevices of the maple bark. 



The economic aspect of this species varies with the locality. 

 In Maine the alder along the rivers and streams is not valued 

 and the insects infesting this growth are not significant so far 

 as the alder itself is concerned. However, as the cultivated 



