346 Report of the Entomologists of the 



INTRODUCTION. 



In some sections of the State the raspberry saw-fly is at times one 

 of the most troublesome insects with which the grower of rasp- 

 berries and blackberries has to deal. Few if any of the numerous 

 species of insects known to this State which attack these import- 

 ant crops are capable of doing more serious injury in a single 

 season. Fortunately it is not a difficult insect to control and 

 hence it is chiefly important that the farmers should learn the 

 nature of the insect, how the presence of a brood can be detected 

 while yet in the egg stage and the measures necessary to take in 

 destroying the larva;. 



The investigations and experiments herein recorded were 

 largely made on the farm of Mr. J. F. Mikelson of Oaks Corners, 

 N. Y., to whom the writer is indebted for many courtesies shown. 



GENERAL NOTES UPON THE INSECT. 



CLASSIFICATION" AND NAME. 



As indicated by its name this insect belongs to the group of 

 liymenopterous insects popularly known as the saw-flies, which 

 in number of species and economic importance form the princi- 

 pal members of the group Tenthredinidae. The raspberry saw- 

 fly was first described by Harris in 1850, who gave it the scien- 

 tific name of Selandria rubi. It has recently been included by 

 Ashmead in his new genus, Monopliadnoides} 



The insects of this group are most destructive to garden and 

 field crops of any of the Hymenoptera. They are, therefore, of 

 much importance to the agriculturist, and hence it may not be 

 out of place to review briefly the principal characteristics by 

 means of which the more common saw-flies can be recognized in 

 their various stages of development 



The egg. — The eggs should be looked for on the under surface 

 of the leaf, usually near the midrib and larger veins. Sometimes 



l Canadian Entomologist, 30:253. 



