34 



THE EEPOET OF THE 



No. 36 



J. E. Howitt, Professor of Botany, kindly accompanied Ine to assist in the identifica- 

 tion of the species of willows and poplars that were attacked and also of those 

 that were immune. 



The insect in question was, as suspected, the Imported Willow and Poplar 

 Borer or Curculio. The total damage done on the island was not large but was 

 sufficient to convince the Superintendent of Parks that if the insect were to spread 

 throughout the island and attack all kinds of willows and poplars, it would des- 

 troy tile beauty and attractiveness of Toronto's favorite summer resort. One can 

 easily understand why he should feel alarmed when we consider that about 90 

 per cent, of the trees on this island consist of willows and poplars, because these 

 are the chief kinds that will thrive in its light, sandy, moist soil. 



My observations showed me that before I could suggest the right means of 

 control it would be necessary to know two things : first, at what time infested 

 trees should be cut down and burned to destrov the maximum number of the 



Willow Curculio: two adults, a pupa and full-grown larva. 

 (All about natural size.) 



insects; second, what species or varieties of willow and poplar, if any, were 

 exempt from attack. If the latter species were known they could henceforth be 

 substituted for the kinds subject to attack. 



On looking over the literature on this insect I found that to satisfy myself 

 on these points I should have to devote whatever time could be spared this autumn 

 to finding out whether the borer differed in Ontario in any important respects 

 from the accounts given by Kirkland, Jack, "Webster, Chittenden, Felt and others. 

 The following are the results of my investigations: 



Length of Time the Beetle has been" in the Province and Present 



Distribution. 



This beetle, which is known to be a native of Europe and of parts of Asia, 

 and which is supposed to have been imported into the United States about the 

 year 1880, was not, so far as I have been able to discover, found in Ontario until 

 the year 1906. That year Mr. Cosens took it at High Park, Toronto, and Prof. 

 E. J. Zavitz at Eidgeway and Beamsville. These discoveries in three widely 

 separated localities lead me to believe that it must have been in the Province 



