258 TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY REPORT. 
This insect feeds on a wide range of plants and is a pest of fruit, 
shade and forest trees. Its control in woodlands especially is a seri- 
ous problem. The extensive destruction caused by it created a gen- 
eral interest in this insect. As the species had been under observa- 
tion for two seasons, bulletins** were prepared with the view of aid- 
ing in disseminating the desired information. 
RASPBERRY SAWFLY. 
(Monophadnoides rubi Harr.) 
This is one of the important pests of the raspberry, blackberry 
and dewberry in both nurseries and plantations. In some sections 
of the State it is at times one of the most troublesome insects with 
which the grower has to contend. Few if any of the numerous 
species of insects known to attack these important crops are capable 
of doing more serious injury in a single season. 
Studies®® on the life history of this species showed that the time 
of the appearance of adults varies with the season, ranging from 
about May 10 to May 25. Egg laying commences with the appear- 
ance of the adults, and incubation lasts for seven to ten days. The 
larvae feed for ten or more days, devouring oblong or irregular 
holes in the leaf and finally consuming all of the leaf with the 
exception of the main rib and larger veins. Some interesting ob- 
servations were made on the habits of the larvae which showed 
that some, on leaving the plant, may enter the ground close to the 
roots, while large numbers may wander two or three feet from the 
base of the bushes before going into the ground. Also later in the 
season more of the cocoons were found about two feet from the 
bushes than close to the base. The cocoons are formed from two 
to three inches below the surface of the ground. This cocooning 
habit suggested the value of frequent shallow cultivation as a means 
for the destruction of the insect. 
Aside from the investigations on the life history of the sawfly, 
experiments were conducted to determine the most efficient methods 
of combating the insect, which are jarring or brushing from the 
bushes, fall cultivating and application of an insecticide, either dry 
or as a spray. Both arsenical poisons and hellebore proved effi- 
cacious, but preference is given to the latter because of the preju- 
*Buls. 152, 159 and 180; same in Rpts. 17:364-388 (1808) ; 18:289-317 
(1899) and 19:263-286 (1900). 
7° Bul. 150; same in Rpt. 17:345-388 (1808). 
