INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES I3I 



bkmce between these forms, that at first the larvae depredatini^ on the 

 maples were referred by Dr Dyar to X. g r o t e i and X. laticinerea, 

 the determination being based on examples named by Dr Smith some years 

 ago. The subsequent studies of the latter have somewhat modified his 

 views as to the limitation of these species, and have led to a renaming of 

 those at the United States National Museum. These forms are undoubt- 

 edly very close to each other, though Professor Slingerland has found 

 differences in the male genitalia of X. a n t e n n a t a and X. g r o t e i . 



Life history. Usually the larvae are not observed till May or June. 

 They complete their growth b\- the middle of the latter month, enter the 

 ground and pupate an inch or more below the surface. They remain in the 

 quiescent stage till September, when most of them emerge. Though some 

 hibernate as pupae, the majority pass the winter as adults. It has been 

 stated that in the south, the eggs are deposited on the under surface of the 

 leaves. No record of the oviposition in the north has been made. 



Food habits. Though comparatively little is known about the food 

 habits of this species, it is probably a somewhat general feeder. Dr Riley 

 records attacks by the larvae of X. antennataon apples, peaches, oak 

 galls, hickory leaves and those of other forest trees. Their feeding upon 

 rosebuds and maple foliage has already been mentioned. The extensive 

 defoliation of the soft maples would indicate, however, that the species 

 becomes abundant onh" when climatic and other conditions favor its rapid 

 development on some favorite food plant like the soft maple. In his 

 bulletin. Professor Slingerland adds peas, plums, currants and quinces to 

 the list of fruits injured and states that one grower had to watch the buds 

 on grafted pears to prevent their being destroyed. Further observations 

 may greatly e.xtend the list of known food plants. 



Natural enemies. Two hymenoptera, Mesochorus agilis Cres. 

 and Meteor us hyphantriae Riley, were reared from X. latici- 

 nerea by Professor Slingerland. They would probably attack X. 

 antennata with equal readiness. The latter parasite is a very efificient 

 enemy of the fall web worm, Hyphantria textor Harr. In addition 



