154 Psyche [October 



MONARTHROPALPUS BUXI LAB. IN NEW JERSEY 



(DIP.). 



By Harry B. Weiss, 

 New Brunswick, N. J. 



This insect, commonly known as the European boxwood leaf 

 miner, has already been recorded by me as occurring in New 

 Jersey (Psyche, June, 1915), (Ent. News, vol. 27, p. 13). Its 

 distribution was at first thought to be rather limited, but it is now 

 known to occur in widely separated parts of the state, namely, 

 Rutherford, Far Hills, Gladstone, Peapack, South Orange and 

 Eatontown and will undoubtedly be found in other places in the 

 future. It was evidently introduced from France or Holland, 

 within the past five years, especially the latter as thousands of 

 boxwood plants are annually imported into New Jersey from 

 that country while, comparatively, only a few come from France. 

 It has also been taken at various times by inspectors examining 

 boxwoods from these countries. 



At present, its injuries in New Jersey are confined principally 

 to all varieties of boxwoods growing in nurseries and on private 

 estates. The first sign of injury likely to be noticed by most 

 persons is a small yellowish or light green spot on the upper 

 surface of the leaf. Directly under this on the lower surface is 

 quite a pronounced, irregular, oval blister due to the young mag- 

 got enlarging its mine. Later in the season the injury is more 

 apparent and there will be a slight elevation on the upper surface 

 with a yellowish or brownish discoloration. In severe infestations, 

 the entire leaf is taken up by irregular oval swellings which are 

 largest on the under surface. Badly infested plants present during 

 the spring, the superficial appearance of having been winter killed. 

 The leaves are discolored, somewhat brownish and finally drop off. 

 Closer examination however will reveal the larvae or pupse within 

 their galls. Inasmuch as boxwood plants have strictly an orna- 

 mental value, a plant having unsightly bare branches with new 

 leaves developing at the tips is far from beautiful. Specimen 

 plants which have been trimmed for years in some particular 

 shape are sometimes ruined by the insects infesting an entire side 

 or top. 



