14n STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



Hi. IIIK KI.MUORING SNOUT-BKETLE. 



(Magdalis urmicollis Say.) 



A small brown or lilackisli beetle about fivp-sixteonths of an inch lonjr, with the 

 head prolonge(i into a lonix snout. ( l''iJ,^ 17.) An examination witli a lens shows 



Fig. 17. Elm-l)oring Snout-beetle, Ma/ffhtlis (irmicollifi. (^Original.) 



the entire abdomen and thorax to be covered witli small rounded 2)ustules somewhat 

 resembling sliagreen."' 



Specimens of this snout-beetle were sent us from Woodland, Barry county, on June 

 1, 18!)8. They were said to be very numerous on plum trees and were the cause of 

 some anxiety. In replying to the letter it was explained that this insect was in 

 habit a \vood-l)orer and that most of the members of the genus work in oak, hickory 

 or elm, at least .so far as our species go. A careful examination was advised to see 

 if the beetles were really doing any harm, as well as a search for dead or dying trees 

 of the sorts indicated. On June 4 a reply was received, in which was the following 

 statement: "'Said trees (plum) are within about twenty feet of our wood-house, 

 which is filled largely with elm limb wood, but none of the trees (elm, liickory or 

 oak) are within twenty rods." The probable explanation is very apparent — the beetles, 

 which burrow just under the bark of the dead and dying elm limbs, had been carried 

 in great numbers in the limbs to the wood-shed and had remained there until their 

 transformations were completed and tlie time arrived for them to come forth as mature 

 beetles. (Jn attaining maturity, they came out in great nuTubers and finding the plum 

 trees in the near vicinity settled on them so thickly as to attract attention. Home idea 

 of the great numbers present in the elm limbs can be obtained from this experience. 

 The elm-boring snout-beetle seems to prefer dead or dying trees, or at least unhealthy 

 ones, for its home. Advantage may be taken of this fact in fighting the pest. All 

 dead or dyirig limbs or entire trees should be removed and burned by the first or 

 middle of ^lay ; all branches and loose pieces of wood on the ground should receive 

 the same treatment. By this practice we should receive a double benefit in woodland 

 and forest if such treatment were practicable here, for at the same time that the 

 insects were destroyed, we should remove one of the most efficient means of spreading 

 fires. 



In cases where valuable shade trees are involved, it may pay to use trap poles. 

 These are simply poles of green elm set in the ground near the trees to be protected, 

 at a time when the beetles are depositing their eggs. Now the poles being cut, and 



* The specimens of this beetle received differ somewhat in color from the typical form, being almost 

 entirely black. Specimens that were bred bv the writer some years since, however, show great varia- 

 « tion in size and color, some being ([uite l)lack, and there is little doubt that the specimens obtained be- 

 long to the species cirmicollis. 



