AND 0T1II-:R IXJLRIOUS INSKCTS of 1907 AND I908. 



119 



referred to. Some time since the attention of the department was 

 called to the leafless condition of portions of the elms in a certain part 

 of the Kenwood district, and the numerous holes in the leaves, the 

 latter reminding one forcibly of the work of this beetle. It was later 

 believed to be due to the smoke from the railroad. This may be, in 

 part, the cause of the defoliation, but the perforated elm leaves are 

 found in other parts of the city where smoke is not so bad ; hence, in 

 default of finding any insect at work, we are forced to conclude that 

 some plant disease is the cause. 



Fig. (ill. Tree evidently injured by gas. After J. S. Houser. 



The Elm Leaf Beetle prefers European elms ; in fact, it is a 

 European insect, imported here, we believe, about 1834, but it will 

 eat other varieties of elm when its special food supply is lacking. 

 The insect is not quite one-half inch long, striped black and green, and 

 hibernates as an adult. The eggs are laid by the female on the under 

 side of the leaves, in which location the young grub or larva feeds. 



