6 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



have very truthfully added that this condition was almost en- 

 tirely due to the destructive work of the elm leaf beetle. 



Practically the same story has been repeated here and there 

 in small towns along the Hudson river valley where this pest 

 has established itself in force; and, unless the insect is checked 

 on its advent into a village, this is likely to be the record where- 

 ever it makes its way. 



Inaction means death to the elm. The defoliation of a tree in 

 midsummer is a serious injury since the leaves are breathing- 

 organs, and if this occurs for successive years even once a 

 season, the early death of the elm may be expected; when it 

 occurs two or even three times in a summer, it is very easy to 

 see that the danger to the tree is increased manyfold. 



Such is the record of the elm leaf beetle in this section. The 

 .time to control this pest is not after it has become enormously 

 abundant in a citv or village and has seriouslv weakened or 

 nearly destroyed the majority of the elms; the work should be 

 begun at the outset and in the future the insect prevented from 

 establishing itself in large numbers in any uninfested city or 

 village in New York. Village improvement societies and public 

 spirited individuals interested in the welfare of a community 

 where this beetle occurs would do well to undertake at least an 

 educational campaign against it. 



It is comparatively useless to hope that in the course of a few 

 years the pest may not be so destructive. It shows a remark- 

 able vigor and prolificacy in our climate. At Washington D. C. 

 it has been known for a long series of years and is still very in- 

 jurious. In New Jersey, New York city, New Haven Ct. and 

 other localities it has been found necessary to spray the trees 

 with a poisonous mixture in order to avert serious injury. 

 Parasites, diseases of various kinds and predatory enemies seem 

 to have little effect in reducing its numbers. 



Distribution. The insect, as stated by l)r Howard, is found 

 over -a large part of Europe, but it is abundant and destructive 

 only in the southern portions of Germany and France and in 

 Italy and Austria. The records of the earlier entomologists in- 

 dicate that the beetle must have made its wa}' to this country 

 aboui 1834, because in 1838 it was reported as ver3' injurious to 

 elms in Baltimore Md. Its southernmost range has been given 



