192 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



up on August 23rd, from an of area eight by ten inches, nearly a pint 

 m^a^ure full of the larvae and pupae with a few of the newly transformed 

 beetles. From a partial count, it was computed that this collection 

 embraced 9.750 individuals. 



Transformations. 



A few facts relating to the transformations of this brood may be of 

 value: the time intervening between the descent of the larvae and their 

 pupation, was not noted; it probably did not exceed five days, for of 100 

 taken August 15, almost one-half pupated on the i8th and the remainder 

 on the 19th. Those taken in their curled form, pupated within two days, 

 as observed in 150 examples taken from the base of a tree on the i6th» 

 58 of which became pupae within 30 hours, and all within 48 hours. 



The time from the pupa to the imago, was seven days, as was observed 

 in several lots that were separated soon after pupation, which in each 

 instance gave the beetle — at the first of a pale tint of yellow with entire 

 absence of black on the elytra — on the 7th day. 



The descent of the larvae was apparently completed by the 25th, none 

 being seen upon the trunks after this date.* The degree of development 

 of the brood at this time, was about that of the first brood when observed 

 by me on July 15th. From this we may infer a period of about six Aveeks 

 for transformations of the brood, or about a week less than that which 

 has been recorded for the earlier brood in New Jersey. 



Do Many Larvae Drop From the Trees? 



Writers upon the habits of this insect have stated that many of the 

 larvae drop from the tree instead of traveling down the trunk, particularly 

 when the elms have drooping branches. This would seem reasonable, 

 but it was not confirmed by my observations. The Scotch elm on my 

 premises which has been referred to, has long and somewhat drooping 

 "branches which extend over an extension to the house, but I have not 

 been able to find at any time during the season a single larvae or pupae 

 upon its roof, although fallen leaves in corners offered convenient resting- 

 places for them. Nor in the hours that I have passed under the elms in 

 my study of the insect have I seen one of the larvae upon my clothing 

 or known it to occur on others. 



*There seems to have been some later than this — perhaps by dropping from the leaves — for 

 they continued to be found in small numbers near the wall until September gth ; pupae were noticed 

 until the 12th, and the beetle, abroad, until the 24th September. On the 3rd of October one came 

 to light in my office in the capitol, of a remarkably dull color, suggesting the idea that it may 

 have been drawn from its hiding-place after its development from the last larvae brought by me 

 •within doors. 



