322 NEW YORK STATE MLSEUM 



Bibliography 

 189 Lintner, J. A. Ins. N. Y. mh Rep't, p. 1S1-S9 

 1S96 Lowe, V. H. N'. V. Agric Exp. Sta. 14th Rep't, p. 554-58 

 1890 Packard, S. A. U. S. Ent. 5th Rep't, \>. 4:18-33 



Yellow spotted willow slug 



J'tcromis vciitralis Sa}' 



Greenish black sawfly larvae about ''^o 'ii<:li long and with heart-shaped, yellowish 

 spots on each side, defoliate willow and ])Oi)lar. 



This species is considered one of the worst enemies of basket willows, 

 particularly in the South because of its producing several generations 

 annually, and even in the Xorlh Dr Harris has recorded two broods as 

 occurring in Massachusetts. All kinds of willow with the exception per- 

 haps of the weeping willow and s|)(cies developing into tall trees are 

 injured by tln-se slugs according to Dr llowartl. The species antl \arieties 

 of white willow appear to be preferred, and young poplars growing in pro.\- 

 iniity to these trees are also damaged, though their older and tougher 

 leaves escape attack. The greatest injur)' is intliclcHl on \oimg growth antl 

 as a consequence the species may i)c controlled with arsenical poisons. 

 One of the serious features of injin-y 1)\- this insect is that the willow, after 

 defoliation, produces l(;a\'es on sitle shoots, thus destro\ing the commer- 

 cial value of the product for baskt't ])ur])oses, since the shoots shoidd be 

 of nearly tmiform size throughout their lengtli. 



Description. The early stages of this insect have been described by 

 1 )i' 1 )yar as follows : 



ICggs I .see Insect Life, i : 36 ]. In large clusters of llat, semicircidar saw- 

 cuts imder the lower epidermis, i .\ 2 mm in size. 



1st stage. Head round, shining Ijlack ; width .55 mm. Thoracic feet 

 long, spreading, black except at the joints ; segments intlislinctly 4-annulate, 

 abdominal feet small, on joints 6-1 i, 13. Body slightl\- shining, blackish 

 green, subtranslucent ; anal prongs concolorous. 



2d stage. As before. Head .75 mm wide. Body smooth, greenish 

 black, anal prongs black. 



3d stage. Head shining greenish black ; width i mm ; eyes and jaws 

 black. Body scarcely annukite, smooth, shining, obsciu'e blackish olive, 



