62 THE BOOK OF EVERGREENS. 



a new species discovered by Fitch, that preys upon the 

 leaves of the Pine genus, and is very distinct from the 

 scale that infests the Junipers. 



An insect, new to the writer, has made its appearance 

 during the past season in large numbers ; and although 

 very readily destroyed, it may nevertheless become a great 

 nuisance if not promptly attended to when first observed. 

 They are pale yellowish-green caterpillars, about an inch 

 in length, and feed in communities ; in fact, so voracious 

 are they, and so very numerous, that frequently they will 

 clear a young pine of all its foliage in two days. The 

 Dwarf Pine appears to have their preference, although we 

 have met with them on the Scotch, Loblolly, etc. A plen- 

 tiful deluge of hot water, however, quickly destroys them. 



Colcoptera. We have lately received the following 

 brief but interesting list of " Coleopterous Insects " infest- 

 ing the Conifers, from Prof. S. S. Rathvon, of Lancaster, 

 Pa., all of which he states have been found in Lancaster 

 and York Counties, Pa., or in Virginia and Maryland, 

 around Washington City, and a few farther north. 



" The trunks and roots of some pines (P. Strobus, P. 

 rigida, etc.,) are often attacked by small white grubs, al- 

 lied to the common grub of the May-beetle, and will al- 

 ways be found lying on their sides in a semi-circular form. 

 This is especially the case when these parts are aifected 

 with decay, although I am not prepared to say that they 

 are the primitive cause of it. These are the larvae of a 

 small Melolonthon, called the c Bristle-necked Valgus ' by 

 Dr. Fitch, Valgus seticallis, Brauv. The Valgus serrical- 

 Hs also attacks the pine, particularly the roots. The lar- 

 vse of Chalcophora Virginiensis, a rough-bronzed beetle, 

 nearly an inch and a half long, attack the trunks of pines. 

 This insect belongs to the Buprestidm, the larvse of which 

 are long and flattened, having the anterior segments much 

 developed, in shape something resembling a newly-wrought 



