260 Destructive Forest Insects of Dumfriesshire. 



Destructive Forest Insects of Dumfriesshire. By W. H. 

 Whellens, Esq., Forester, Comlongon. 



In presenting this paper to your notice I do not wish to take 

 up too much time in minutely describing each insect, or family of 

 insects, but will try, in the fewest words, to give you a descrip- 

 tion that may enable you to recognise several insects, either from 

 the damage done by them, or from their distinctive markings or 

 colour. 



I do not profess to have found all of the destructive insects 

 of Dumfriesshire, but during the two years that I have been in the 

 county I have found quite enough to worry any forester. 



All or most of the insects that I shall name have been 

 through my hands in one form or another, although I may not 

 have specimens of some of them at the present time. 



I have brought a few specimens of the less fragile ones for 

 your inspection and to help to relieve the monotony of the descrip- 

 tions. I may say here that in the case of a particularly destructive 

 pest I shall mention any means of prevention or cure that I know 

 to be effective. 



I shall make a start with beetles. They pass through four 

 stages during their life cycle, viz., eggs, larvEe, pupae, and the 

 perfect insect. Some species, as will be seen, do damage in both 

 the larval and perfect stages, while others do damage only when 

 mature. The damage varies greatly, some species damaging the 

 bark, leaves, roots, and others the wood itself. 



Melolontha Vtdgaris (Common Cockchafer). — One of the 

 worst enemies that the forester has to deal Avith is the Cockchafer, 

 and once it gets a foothold in a nursery it is very difficult to get rid 

 of. In the Summer the female lays from 30 to 40 eggs, from 6 to 

 9 inches below the surface of the ground. The larvEe hatch out 

 in about 6 weeks time, and live from 3 to 4 years in this stage, 

 feeding meanwhile on the rootlets of the young trees, causing them 

 to die. By the time the dying plant is noticed the grub has moved 

 on. In the Autumn of the 3rd or 4th year the grub descends deeper 

 into the soil to pupate, appearing as a perfect insect during the 

 next Summer. In the mature stage the beetle does damage to the 

 foliage of trees. It can often be seen resting on the leaves of 

 trees in the daytime, while at dusk it can be seen flying about. 

 Traps, consisting of small trenches filled with weeds, sods, bark, 



