COLEOPTERA SCOLYTIDyE. 



95 



means of recognition. The thorax is large, and the length exceeds 

 the breadth. The antennae and legs are ferruginous. 



The larvae are white, fleshy, footless grubs, with very strong chitin- 

 ous head and wrinkled body. They are full-fed towards the end of 

 July, and by the beginning of August perfect beetles may be found. 

 Many of the larvre pass the winter in cocoons, and appear as perfect 

 insects in May. 



As this species is very destructive, the following practical remarks 

 regarding prevention may be quoted : 



" One of the most important considerations, in regard to prevention 

 of attack, is the removal of all centres of infestation, from which the 

 beetles might spread to the sound trees. 



" The possibility of clearing away or treating infested standing- 

 trees or infested limbs depends, of course, 

 on local circumstances ; but whatever care 

 is exercised in other ways, it is very un- 

 likely that much good will be done in less- 

 ening attack, so long as the inexcusable 

 practice continues of leaving trunks of in- 

 fested elms lying, with their bark still on, 

 when containing myriads of these maggots, 

 which are all getting ready shortly to change 

 to perfect beetles, and to fly to the nearest 

 growing elms. Such neglected trunks may 

 be seen in our parks and rural woodyards 

 all over the country, where, without diffi- 

 culty (as I have myself often found), the hand may be run under the 

 bark, so as to detach feet and yards in length from the trunk, all 

 swarming with white Scolytus maggots in their narrow galleries. 



"This bark, with its contents, ought never to be permitted to 

 remain. AVhere it is loose, it may be cleared of many of the maggots 

 by stripping it off and letting the poultry have access to it ; or, if still 

 partly adhering, it may be stripped from the wood by barking tools, 

 and burnt. But if allowed to remain swarming with maggots, 

 it is a tangible and serious cause of injury ; and if our landed 

 proprietors were fully aware of the mischief thus caused to their 

 own trees, and those of the neighbourhood, they would quickly get 

 rid of it." x 



Fi 



86. Scolytus destructor. 

 (From 'Forest Protection,' by 

 W. R. Fisher.) 



Miss Ormerod, Manual of Injurious Insects, 1890. 



