INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 



2<^5 



ous specimens of the insect and its work, together witli observations 

 regarding its habits, were receivetl from Mr M. I*". Adams of that cit\ in 

 1899 and 1900, and injury to cut Icavetl l)irches was reported from Roches- 

 ter. A serious ditticult\' at this time witli white iiirches in St Lawrence 

 county, was considered as probal)l\' the work of this species. 



Early history. This insect was till recently comparatively unknown to 

 economic entomologists. The first record concerning its habits is that 

 given by Dr Lintner, in his report as state entomolo- 

 gist for 1883, published in the 37th annual report of 

 the State Museum. Dr Lintner states that he met 

 with this insect on some cut poplars piled by the way- 

 side. The beetles were observed alighting from flight 

 in the bright sunshine and running actively about. 

 62 specimens were taken at the time, and Dr Lintner 

 adds that the larvae is probably a borer in poplars. 

 Dr Fred Blanchard in 18S9, records the taking of a 

 few specimens of this insect on the summit of Mt 

 Washington N. H., where they had flown from below, 

 and states that the form described occurred in Massa- 

 chusetts on poplar sprouts and trunks. Prof. G. C. 



^ ^ ^ Fig- 49 Bronze birch borer: ,i^fe- 



Davis records this species as makino galls in branches "■"'= •>«'''; ^-first abdominal 



^ ^ segments of male from below; 



of the willow, Salix discolor. Prof. Davis '-larva from above, all enlarged 



about 3% times. (After Chillen- 



describes those made by this birch borer as an oval den.u.s.Dep't Agric. DivEm. 



Bui. 18, n.s.l 



swelling on the stem, very similar to the one made 



bySaperda c o n c o 1 o r, found at work on the same trees. He states 

 that the latter insect remains mostly within the swelling and makes its e.xit 

 from it, while this species excavates an oval gallery downward from the gall, 

 sometimes in the pith, but oftener indiscriminately through the wood and 

 emerged therefrom, frequently ^ inch below. Mr E. A. Schwartz men- 

 tions this species as injuring birch in connection with Xyloterus p o 1 i- 

 tus in 1890, and Mr J. G. Jack in 1896 records injury to birch trees in the 

 Arnold Arboretum, by what is probably this insect. 



