332 Retort of the Kntomol6gists of the 



ciously on the tender leaves and bark at the tips of the willow- 

 whips, irreparable injury is done by causing them to branch as 

 previously explained. 



Hibernation.— By the 1st of August nearly all the beetles have 

 left the willows and sought shelter in any convenient place. In 

 the fields about Syracuse they could occasionally be found under 

 stones but were more numerous under logs, under bark on trees 

 and in the crevices in fence rails. In willow fields which have not 

 been kept free from weeds and grass, the beetles find shelter down 

 close to the roots or in the stools of grass. In these retreats they 

 remain until the following spring. 



• . NUMBER OF BROODS. 



There are probably two broods and possibly three, but this point 

 has not been satisfactorily settled. The writer failed to find eggs 

 later than June 24th, and as the beetles retreat to winter quarters 

 early in August, there is hardly time for more than two broods 

 under the most favorable circumstances. 



NATURAL ENEMIES. 



Several species of Cocci nellidfie, lady -bird beetles, and Cara- 

 lidac, ground beetles, are said to attack this insect in the un- 

 developed state. The eggs especially are devoured by the lady- 

 bird beetles. Dr. Riley 5 states that he has observed a species of 

 Coccinellidae, Megilla maculata, feeding upon larvae and pupae of 

 this insect. Doubtless these natural enemies have been more or 

 less active in the willow fields about Syracuse, but the writer did 

 not observe an instance of this kind on any of the visits to the 

 fields, and of several growers questioned, none had seen the pre- 

 daceous insects. 



METHODS OF COMBATING. 



The principal methods employed by the willow-growers of this 

 State in combating the cottonwood leaf beetle may be classified 

 under two heads. 



6 Insect Life, 3:43. 



