INSr.CTS AFKEl riN(; I'ARK AM) U(i( IDI.A \ 1) TUKKS T, \ J 



about ' i.> inch in diamcUr, aiul of white silk. Tlic cater])ilhir is cui-UhI 

 up witliin. 



The yelUnvish brown cocoon is about ys inch lonj^, with a number of 

 well markt'd ridges and is attached to any convenient objc'ct, such as 

 bark and leaves. 



Life history and habits. Little is known concerniny^ the life history 

 and habits of this insect. The ey^s of the moth and the minin;^ operations 

 of the lar\'ae have not been observed. The larvae occur the latter part of 

 August or in early September, feeding on the soft parenchyma of the leaf 

 and skeletonizing it thoroughly. At this time, small oval whitish, circular 

 cocoons may be observed here antl there on the leaves. These are spun as 

 shelters during a molt. The true cocoons are interesting, brownish yellow, 

 ribbed structures about y^ inch in length. These latter may be so abun- 

 dant as to give color to portions of infested leaves. They are spun 

 during the latter part of September, and the insect passes the winter 

 within. 



Distribution. This insect has been recordeci from Canada, New Eng- 

 land States, New York, and as stated b}' Dr Lintner, it will undoubtedly 

 be found to have a wide distribution. 



Bibliography 

 1890 Packard, A. S. U. S. Ent. Com. 5th Rep't, j). 507-8 

 1892 Fletcher, James. Central Experimental Farms (Canada), Rep't, p. 14-16 



1892 Packard, A. S. Insect Life. 5 : 14-16 



1893 Lintner, J. A. Ins. N. Y. 8th Rep't. 1891. p. 133-40 



Cottonwood leaf beetle 

 Melasonia scripta Fabr. 

 Yellowish beetles, about ^2 inch in length, variably marked with elongated black 

 spots or blackish grubs about -=8 inch in length, frequently defoliate willows and poplars, 

 specially in the Western States. 



This insect is a well known pest of willow, cottonwood and poplar 

 in the Western States, where it occasions very serious injur)- at times. 



