Zl P ENGI: 
One statement in the life history of the Imported Elm Leaf-beetle, as 
given in the preceding pages, may have to be corrected in the light of the 
observations of the past, six years, and that is in reference to the num- 
ber of annual generations. Like other leaf-beetles, this insect occupies 
an extended time in oviposition. The eggs appear to develop slowly in 
the ovaries, and a single female will deposit a number of the character- 
istic little yellow batches. This fact, taken in connection with the re- 
tardation of certain individuals of a generation, results in an inextricable 
confusion of broods. Adult beetles, pup, larva in all stages, and eggs, 
will be found upon trees at the same time in Washington during the 
months of June, July, August, and even later. From this fact it is almost 
impossible to estimate the number of annual generations without the 
most careful breeding-cage experiments. There is no evidence that the 
facts upon record are based upon such careful experiments. Glover, in 
the annual report of this Department for 1867, page 62, says: ‘ After be- 
coming pup, in a few days the skin of the back splits open and the per- 
fect insect crawls forth, furnished with wings, by means of which it is 
enabled to fly to other trees and deposit its eggs, thus spreading the nui- 
sance to every elm in the neighborhood; or it may ascend some tree and 
lay the eggs for a second generation, which destroys the second crop of 
leaves, frequently so enfeebling or exhausting the tree that it is unable 
to recover and eventually perishes.” Again, in the Annual Report for 
1870, page 73, he says: ‘The perfect beetles appear in a few days and 
immediately fly up into the tree to lay their eggs for a second generation, 
which frequently destroys every leaf on the tree.” 
The European records seem strangely silent upon this point. In the 
articles by Leinweber and Frauenfeld, referred to upon page 6, there is 
no indication of the number of generations, but it may be inferred that 
only one, namely, that of June and July, has been under observation. 
Heeger, however (loc. cit., p. 114), says that ‘“‘ Under favorable cireum- 
stances there are three to four generations during the whole summer. 
Toward the end of August the insect ceases feeding and retires—partly 
as larvee and partly as beetles—to winter rest under fallen leaves, in the 
cracks of bark, holes in the trunks of the trees, and in the ground 
itself.” This observation was made near Vienna. — 
Our statement upon page 8 was a °° ased upon the ob- 
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