^O TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



breeding period of the beetle, that is, in early April or May 

 according to the weather conditions prevailing. 



Conclusion and Summary. — Hylastes cunicularius, Er., 

 undoubtedly breeds in Scotland, and may prove to be more 

 common than we at present believe. 



It is essentiality a spruce-dweller, breeding below soil level. 



It feeds in the roots in which it was reared, but if opportunity 

 offers migrates to young coniferous plantations, where it feeds 

 on spruce, Scots pine and larch. Its life-history and habits 

 are strikingly similar to those of H. atei; Pk., but owing to the 

 branching of the roots of its breeding host, the spruce, it is 

 probably a more formidable enemy of young trees planted in 

 old spruce clearings than H. ater proves in similar pine 

 clearings. 



In the larval stage H. cunicularius is harmless. The adult, 

 on the other hand, injures or totally destroys newly-planted 

 conifers of various kinds. Spruce, Scots pine and larch have 

 been found attacked by it. In the areas under observation, 

 the loss caused by H. cunicularius may be stated as not less 

 than a pound per acre, allowing the cost of planting to be three 

 pounds per acre, a low estimate. 



In conclusion, I wish to express my indebtedness to Mr 

 Chalmers, Overseer, Darnhall, for his kind permission to make 

 observations and collect material in the woods under his charge. 



Explanation of Figures on Plate I. 



Fig. I. Moilier gallery of H. ciinicnlarhis, Kr., on .spruce root: («) gallery 

 cut in bark showing egg niches ; \b) gallery shown on root. 



l"u;. 2. The thorax in Hylastes: a=H. aicr, Pk. ; l) = H. cunicularius, Er.; 

 c~ H. pallia/ us, GyW. 



Fic",. 3. Lower portion of young Scots pine, showing '' frnss"' oi II. cunicularius. 



