0/^ 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



This species appears to be quite prevalent in the Adirontlacks, jiul^-ini^- Ijoth 

 from observations and reports and as it frefjuently concentrates its attack 

 on (ine or two trees, the inner bark is soon repeatedly traversed with 

 interlacing'- burrows of beetles and i^ruljs. 



I his species appears to exist wherever its favorite tree, the balsam, 

 grows, thouL;h it does not hesitate to attack spruce and Avhite pine. It has 

 been found in the Atlirondacks in buth of these latter trees several times, 

 once in arlior \itae, and it has been reared from hemlock. There is 

 little (liuilit ot this insect's al)ilit\' to kill health)' trees. A balsam lo 

 inches in diameter just be^'inning- to die, as was shown by its reddening 

 top, was cut tlown Aug. 14, 1900. This borer was found in all stages and 

 in large numl)ers from the liase of the tree almost to its tip, some 50 feet 

 high. The bark along much of this distance appeared to be healthy and 

 the lower limbs had not begun t(.) show any signs of weakness. No other 

 insect hail affected the \-itality of this tree, so far as could be determined. 

 Such balsams were to be met with here and there in the woods and it was 

 stated that many of these trees had been affected in this way a few years 

 earlier. Numerous dead balsams here and there, attested the truth of this 

 assertion. 



1 his insect was associated with T o m i c us |) i n i .Say and species of 

 Pity o g (■ n e s, in white pine. It was obtained with C r \- p h a 1 u s s t r i- 

 atulatus Mann, and also with Polygraph us rufipennis Kirby 

 from spruce. T o m i c u s c a e 1 a t u s Eich. Avas fcnmd 

 with it in balsam. It was taken ]>y the writer at Flood- 

 wood, at many places about Saranac Inn, at Axton and 

 vicinit)- and at Ampersand pond. 



Description. This is oiu' smallest species of Tomi- 

 cus, tlu; adult beetle being only about ? ',0 inch long. 

 Fi.a. s., ncciivhy of Tomi- ][ ;^ rather slender in form and varies in color from 



ells 1) ;i 1 s ,1 111 (■ 11 s (autliur s 



'""'"■•"'"'" l'.i-;"lit bnnvn to almost l.)lack. The rather coarse, light 



brown hairs are quite conspicuous near the posterior end of the elytra 

 and the possession of these enables am- to se|)arate it from the allied 



