ELM LEAF BEETLE AND WHITE-MARKED TUSSOCK MOTH 7 



instances. An examination of conditions in several communities 

 in the summer of 191 1 forced us to the conclusion that most of 

 the poor results following- spraying were due to careless or 

 slovenly work. It was a rather common occurrence to find the 

 lower limbs fairly well sprayed, while the upper branches were 

 almost untouched by the poison and, as a consequence, severely 

 injured by the beetle. 



Dead foliage in midsummer, a weakened or dying condition 

 of the trees, and the vacant spaces formerly occupied by elms. 

 are in most instances the direct result of injury by this per- 

 nicious beetle, though all conversant with the situation must 

 admit that leaking gas and electricity have killed some trees 

 in many communities. The number destroyed by these latter 

 two agencies is small compared to those succumbing to insect 

 depredations. Old age has been advanced by some as a reason 

 for the death of many elms. This is hardly an adequate explana- 

 tion, since many trees which have perished were comparatively 

 young. Authentic records show that the American elm may 

 live from 150 to 200 years. Under favorable conditions it 

 should thrive for at least a century and in many instances for 

 a century and a half. It is lamentable that so many magnifi- 

 cent elms, representing the growth of several generations, and 

 in many instances occupying commanding positions and adding 

 greatly to the beauty and value of the adjacent property, should 

 be destroyed within a few years by an insect which may be 

 controlled at a comparatively small expense. 



Results of attack. Elms losing two crops of leaves a season 

 for three or four years are invariably seriously affected and some 

 at least may die. The injury is almost as severe if the first crop 

 of leaves is destroyed so late that very little new foliage de- 

 velops the latter part of the season. This condition was rather 

 general with American elms in 1911 and may have resulted in part 

 from the weakened condition of the trees, an outcome of earlier 

 injuries. 



Food plants. This leaf feeder displays a marked preference 

 for the more tender foliage of the English and Scotch elms, 

 though after the beetle has become abundant, it is frequently exceed- 

 ingly destructive to the American elm. Its operations on this 

 latter tree have been especially severe in the city of Watervliet 

 and in villages in the upper Hudson valley. 



Distribution. This pest has now attained an extensive distri- 

 bution in this country, ranging from north of Salem, Mass., to Char- 



