57 



The Poplar Borer ( Saperda calcarata Sat ) is responsible for the 

 death of many ornamental poplars. It is very destructive throughout this 

 Province and elsewhere to all varieties of poplar. 



The adults emerge from the wood during the summer, and the young 

 larvae may be found working in the bark during the Autumn. The lar- 

 vae or grubs live within the wood for probably three years, and drive 

 their tunnels through the trunk in all directions. The writer has tadcen 

 them from the heart-^wood of the largest poplars. Rough, discoloured 

 scars and swollen areas on the trunk and branches of poplars are fre- 

 quently caused by this insect, and dying branches and portions of the 

 trunk are a com.mon result of its w^ork. 



Infested trees of little value should be removed and burned before 

 June. Valuable trees may be protected in large measure by searching for 

 the young borers in bark, during the fall, and destroying them. The older 

 grubs may sometimes be killedl by injecting benzine or carbon bisulphide 

 into the borings. 



The Fall Webworm ( Hyphantria cunea ) . This species is sometimes 

 confused with the American Tent Caterpillar. The tents of the web-worm 

 are constructed largely during the latter half of the season, whereas the 

 tent-caterpillar ceases, to work early in July. The tents of the web-w^orm 

 are rougher, more irregular, and extend over the feeding grounds of the 

 caterpillars, so that in time entire branches are covered. The hairy cat- 

 erpillars are often heavily parasitized, otherw^ise their control would be 

 more frequently necessary. 



The White-marked Tussock"Moth ( Notolophus leucostigma ) . The 

 shade-trees of Montreal and a few of the smaller towns are often badlv 

 infested by this beautiful caterpillarwith the tufts of black and yellow- 

 ish hairs. Every fe^v yea''s 1.his species becomes so numerous that many 

 deciduous trees are badlv stripped by it, and the thousands of crawling 

 caterpillars become a positive nuisance. There is fortunately but one 

 brood and the trees have an opportunity to recover somewhat during the 

 latter part of the season. The pest is readily controlled bv poison sprays 

 and its native parasites are very effective in holding it in check. 



The Spruce Bud-worm ( Tortrix fumiferana ) has been an impor- 

 tant forest enemy iv: large areas 'n Quebec for some yea^s, and has" been 

 frequently reported injuring ornamental spruces*. The smo.ll caterpillars 

 feed upon the opening, buds, and later upon the needles, which llicv tie to- 

 gether with silk. The itijary to many buds checks the season'r growth 

 and the dying, partly-eaten leaves with the excrement and silk 

 spun irregularly by the larvae give the trees a scorched appearance and 

 detract largely from their beauty. They may be controlled by spraying 

 with Paris green or lead arsenate. 



The Larch !Saw-fly ( Nematus Krichsonii ) is sometimes quite des- 

 tiructive to native and European larches. The caterpillar-like larvae feed 



