1913.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 31. 87 



parts of soiitlieastcrn Massacluisetts and in Kliodc Island, has 

 also hovn observed, and studies on this insect and methods for 

 its control have been begun. This insect which has evidently 

 come to this country from Euro[)e has already been reported 

 by Dr. Uelt (Journ. Econ. Ent. III., 342, 1910). 



The Cottonwood leaf beetle, Liiia scripta Fab., was obs(M'ved 

 feeding on the leaves of po])lars in a nursery at Agawam in the 

 fall of 1910, since which time it has been found elsewhere in 

 tlie Connecticut valley. This insect is \vcll known farther west, 

 and appears to be spreading eastward. Possibly its presence 

 in Massachusetts has already been recorded, but no such refer- 

 ence has been noticed by the writer. 



The chestnut borer, Leptura zehra Oliv,, has been found in 

 numerous instances working on chestnut trees, as reported last 

 year, and has been so often observed in connection with the 

 chestnut bark disease that the claim has been made that it is 

 often the cause of the death of the tree, and that the disease 

 attacks only trees already weakened by this insect. This view 

 in the light of such evidence as is a,t hand can hardly be ac- 

 cepted, but there is no doubt that trees weakened by this insect 

 would be even more likely to die from the disease on this 

 accomit. 



The fall army worm, Lapliygma frugipcrda S. and A,, has 

 been unusually abundant and destructive this 3'ear, particularly 

 in eastern Massachusetts. According to reports received this 

 has also been true in many parts of the country. 



White ants or termites, Termes favipes Koll., have been re- 

 ported as injuring the stems of growing cabbage and corn 

 plants, leaving only the outside of the stem. As no other in- 

 sects could be found in the stems, while the termites were 

 abundant there, it would seem probable that in this case living 

 tissues had replaced the more usual food of these insects, which 

 is dead or decaying wood. 



