82 



beetle and its larva at Manassas Gap. It was feeding on red elm, 

 and in one case ntterly defoliated a tree K) or 18 inches in diame- 

 ter. Jnly 25, 1004, Mr. W. C. Davis sent specimens in the efri>\ 

 larval, and adnlt stages found on elms Avliich were being injured at 

 Rockbridge Baths, Va. 



A good account of this species, with descriptions of its various 

 stages, was published in the Report of the Entomologist for 1878 

 (Report of Commissioner of Agriculture, pp. 245-247, PL IV), 

 Avhich includes illustrations of the ditTerent stages, with a very brief 

 account of the life cycle, the impression evidently being that the 

 insect was single-brooded. It was stated that " toward the end of 

 July and early in August the Avorms cease feeding and descend into 

 the ground, l)nrrowing therein and forming a simple oval cavity 

 a few inches below the surface. They lie dormant therein through 

 the fall, winter, and early si:)ring months, assuming the pupa state 

 but about a week before the beetles issue.^' The experience of the 

 present year indicates a possibility of two generations or a long gen- 

 eration due to a long egg-laying period, as the eggs received Jul}^ 

 25 hatched before the end of the month and the first ^veek of August, 

 larvae attaining full growth during the latter half of August. 



August 27, 1904, Mr. Otto M. Von Schrader, Charlestown, Jeffer- 

 son County, W. Va., sent specimens of the larva, none of which had 

 transformed to pupa wdien received on the 29th. 



By request Mr. Davis kept this species under observation, and 

 August 24 sent specimens of the nearly mature larva, with leaves 

 almost completely skeletonized. In regard to the possible occurrence 

 of a later generation he wrote substantially that July 12 the beetles 

 were very abundant, but by the 25th they had left many of the trees 

 entirely. In our rearing cages the beetles remained w^ell into the 

 first half of August. At Rockbridge Baths a considerable number 

 of egg clusters remained, although the number observed seemed out 

 of proportion to the numbers of beetles, fair evidence that the beetles 

 do not dej^osit more than two egg masses. August 1 the eggs began 

 to hatch. Although the larva? Avere not more abundant in the latter 

 part of August, the damage accomplished was ten times greater, as 

 they destroyed the leaves more rapidly and more thoroughly by 

 skeletonizing them. They prefer the under surface of the leaves, 

 as do nearly all of their kind. Often, however, they are found feed- 

 ing on the upper surface, presumably Avhen this portion is in the 

 shade. They sometimes eat through the leaf, but normally skeleton- 

 ize it. Many leaves turn brown and drop without showing any signs 

 of having been touched by the beetles, 



