164 SccoNdl Report on Ecoiioinic Zoology. 



LlFE-HISTOi;V. 



The adult beetles hibernate during the winter in the following 

 places : — 



(1) Under old stones and loose willow Ijark ; (2) amongst the 

 leaves, rubbish, etc., collected in the old willow stumps; (3) on the 

 gTound amongst fallen leaves ; (4) amongst the heaps of osier peel ; 

 (;i) in the hollow stem of herbaceous plants; (G) amongst the 

 rubbish brought l.)y winter floods : (7) amongst the thatch of \\illow 

 peelings used for huts in osier Iteds, etc. ; (8) between boards that 

 o^'crlap of any slieil or building near ; and (0) amongst the terminal 

 shoots of young pine trees. 



From these shelters they emerge in sjtring and lay their eggs 

 in small gTOU])S on the under surface of the leaves. The eggs arc 

 grey and spindle-shaped, and are covered with a thin iiTegular 

 transparent coating. From these eggs tlie larvte hatch in a fe^- 

 days and at once commence to eat away the lower layeis of the 

 leaves. They feed together in irregular rows as a rule, but now and 

 then isolated specimens may be found. The larva is dirty yellow- 

 in colour; when full grown they reach half an inch in length, with 

 four prominent brown spots on each segment dorsally, the head and 

 legs deep Ijrown ; they resemble somewhat in form the larvae of 

 lady-birds, being enlarged anteriorly and narrowed posteriorly. The 

 brown spots vary somewhat, and in addition to those on the back- 

 there are lateral ones, and on the last two segments a squarish black 

 mark. The markings of the three thoracic segments are the most 

 pronounced. When mature they drop to the ground and pupate in 

 the soil. From these pupa^ tlie beetles hatch out in the autumn and 

 feed upon the leaves as long as they can get any sustenaiice and 

 then liibernate in the places previously mentioned. 



rK(JTEC'TIVE AND REMEDIAL ]\IeASUKES. 



(1) As far as possible all sucli places as mentioned as winter 

 quarters should be removed or done away with during winter. Huts, 

 etc., in and around osier beds should be built with due regard to 

 the fact that lieetles hibernate there. The use of osier peelings for 

 roofing should l)e abolished. 



(2) Traps may ])e laid towards the end of summer to draw axsay 

 the beetles; birch bark, planks or tlie peelings may be ]>ut in hea])s 

 above Hood level and burnt during the winter together with the 

 beetles collected in the traps. 



(3) Flood refuse shouhl be burnt before spring. 



