98 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



Poplar borer 



Sapcrda ca /carat a Say 



Large, blackened, swollen scars on the surface of the trunk and limbs are very likely 

 the work of this insect. 



This, the largest native species belonging to this genus, is of con- 

 siderable economic importance on account of the serious injuries inflicted 

 on the trunks and larger limbs of poplars. These trees rarely attain any 

 size in New York State before showing the operations of this insect, and in 

 not a few instances very great damage is inflicted. This applies not only 

 to neglected trees along roadsides and in forests but also to magnificent 

 specimens grown for ornamental purposes. The poplars in Washington 

 Park, Albany, have been recently damaged to a considerable extent by 

 large numbers of these borers. Similar injury has also been observed in 

 New York city and Brooklyn. 



The lombardy poplars in the vicinity of Cambridge Mass., were nearly 

 destroyed by this insect in the early 40's, according to Dr Harris' classic 

 report on insects injurious to vegetation. It was recorded as very injurious 

 to poplars along the shores of Casco bay, Maine, in 1884, by Dr Packard, 

 and it had inflicted great damage on the silver poplars of Cincinnati O., 

 in 1892, according to Charles Dury. Professor Riley, in his early writings, 

 states that this insect has been universally destructive to cottonwoods and 

 poplars in the Western States and Professor Bruner considers it as by far 

 the most destructive enemy of poplars and cottonwoods in the West, and 

 adds that it is almost impossible to obtain trees of any size in cities and 

 towns of Nebraska, away from the friendly care of birds and parasitic 

 enemies. 



Description. The parent insect is a magnificent beetle about i]^ inches 

 long, grayish, diversified with patches of yellow [pi. 6, fig. 2]. There is 

 an entirely brown variety of this species. The general characters of the 

 pupa and larva, together with the latter's method of work, are so well 

 depicted on plate 6, figures 1-6, 26 that lengthy descriptions are 

 unnecessary. 



