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NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



eggs begin, a process wliich ma\' continue over four and possilily for five or 

 six weeks. These prolitic beetles consume a large amount of foliage during 

 this time, depositing clusters of three to 26 or more eggs every day or two. 

 Over half the total number of eggs may be laid within about 12 days at the 

 hight of the season, which in 1898 was from June 12 to June 23. One 

 female has been known to deposit 623 eggs and it is possible that under 

 more favorable conditions a-" e^en larger number might be produced. 



The young grubs emerge from the eggs early in June, as a rule, or in 

 about five or six days after the eggs have been deposited, later in the season. 

 They soon begin to feed on the under surface of the leaves, producing the 

 familiar skeletonizing [pi. 8, tig. 7 and 8, and pi. t,j, fig. i], which is caused 

 by their eating the softer under part, leaving the upper epidermis and the 

 veins. The results of their feeding is so marked that it is easy to detect 

 the presence of the grubs by the semitransparent patches in the foliage, 

 w-hich latter soon dry and turn brown. 



The grubs or larvae complete their growth in from 15 to 20 days in 

 summer (in cooler weather the time is extended), become restless, forsake 

 the leaves and descend the limbs and trunk to a great extent, seeking a 

 slight shelter under which to pupate. .Seven days are spent in this state in 

 warm July weather, while in September it is extended to 12 days and in 

 October to 24. The tlescent of the grubs of the first brood usually occurs 

 in Alban\- the last of June or early in July. Some were observed descend- 

 ing June 19 in 1896 and beetles of the second brood were to be found on 

 June 30. The oviposition of the second brood of beetles may begin by the 

 middle of July and from then till late in autumn it is possible to find all 

 stages of the insect in some part of Albany. The beetles of the second 

 brood are naturally attracted to fresh growths of foliage and consequently 

 more eggs are deposited on such trees, which are most frequently those 

 defoliated earlier in the season. Thus a tree is very apt to lose two sets of 

 leaves in a season and may possibly have its third set badl\ marred by this 

 pest. The second brood of grubs may complete their growth about the 

 middle of August, transforming to beetles the latter part of tiie month, and 



