324 Retort of the Entomologists of the 



INTRODUCTION. 



The industry of growing basket willows in central New York 

 lias been seriously handicapped by an insect known among willow 

 growers as the " willow beetle," but among writers on economic 

 entomology as the cottonwood leaf beetle. It is a species which, 

 previous to 1894, attracted but little attention in the east, although 

 it has long been known as a serious pest to cottonwood in the mid- 

 dle and western states. Since the winter of 1893-94 this insect 

 has been very abundant in this State, especially in Onondaga 

 County, doing great damage in the willow fields about Syracuse 

 and Liverpool. 



The investigations and experiments reported in this Bulletin 

 were undertaken at the urgent request of some of the leading wil- 

 low growers of the State. The life history and habits of the in- 

 sect were studied only during the several visits made to the in- 

 fested fields, as no suitable place for breeding the beetles at or near 

 the Station was available. The experiments cover a period of two 

 years, and were undertaken with a view to determining, if possible, 

 a satisfactory method of protecting the willows from serious in- 

 jury by this insect. 



GENERAL NOTES UPON THE BEETLE. 



CLASSIFICATION AND NAME. 



This species is classified with the large and economically import- 

 ant group of beetles scientifically known as the Chrysomelidae. 

 This group includes the leaf-eating beetles and among them are 

 found some of the most pernicious of the insect pests. 



Probably because this insect first attracted most attention as an 

 enemy to the cottonwood, it was given the name of "Cottonwood 

 Leaf Beetle" or the "Streaked Cottonwood Leaf Beetle." In 

 this State, however, it is little known excepting as a pest to basket 

 willows and hence is known among willow growers as the " Willow 

 Beetle " or incorrectly "The Willow Bug." The scientific name, 

 " Lina scripta " x was given the species by Fabricius. 



1 Identified by Mr. E. A. Schwarz. 



