67 



connected by the web. The larvic seem to remain in the stalk only 

 part of the time, but spend the remainder of the time above in the web. 

 The twigs, of course, are killed down as far as the larva) go, which great- 

 ly mars the symmetry and beauty of the bush. This habit of boring 

 is probably a generic characteristic, as several European species are 

 mentioned as having similar habits. 



Mr. Cook read the following note : 



THE POPLAR GONIOCTENA. 



By A. J. Cook, Agricultural College, Michigan. 



The past spring the poplars about the Michigan Agricultural College 

 were seriously and extensively defoliated by a Chrysomelid beetle, Gon- 

 ioctena pallida Linn. The larvtB were first found in early June, so that 

 we did not have the eggs. The larva is much like the Elm-leaf Beetle 

 in form and color. The beetles appeared June 21. They are yellowish 

 brown, except the eyes, epicranium, two horn-like spots, and a central 

 oval spot on the posterior portion of the prothorax, the scutellum, two 

 large spots, one on each elytron near the scutellum, two nearly as large 

 rounded spots near the suture, and just posterior to the center, three 

 small spots along the lateral margins, and the entire underside of the 

 body except a narrow margin, which are black. 



The beetles came forth late in June, but we found no larvae or eggs. 



The Secretary then read the following notes : 



NOTES OF THE SEASON FROM SOUTH DAKOTA. 



By J. M. Aldrich, Brookings, S. Dak. 



Cutworms have been more injurious than ever before. From limited 

 data, 1 judge that the loss in the State reaches several millions of dol- 

 lars. Corn, flax, gardens, and other crops suffered about in the order 

 mentioned. 



At our station the large Willow Sawfly {Cimbex americana) is much 

 less injurious than for several years. I have reared six or seven species 

 of parasites from it, four of them being numerous. 



The Cottonwood Leaf Beetle is with us in large numbers, as usual. 

 Our experiments in spraying with arsenites for this insect are more 

 successful than heretofore, and I now feel confident that it can be con- 

 trolled (though not exterminated) by this method. Our new Russian 

 poplars, so desirable in other respects, are chosen by the beetle in pref- 

 erence to Cottonwood. 



Gooseberries have suffered from a combined attack of the Span worm 

 {Eufitchea rihearia) and the Sawfly. I have not observed the latter in 

 our State till this year. 



