SHADE TREES 113 



be destroyed by spraying with an arsenical poison when 

 the larvae are young. 



During recent years the IMPORTED ELM LEAF- 

 BEETLE has been exceedingly destructive in many cities 

 of the eastern states, to that most beautiful of shade- 

 trees, the elm. The eggs (a) are laid on the under side 

 of the leaf in two or three rows. In about a week the 

 larvae hatch and begin eating the leaves, causing them 

 to look as if riddled with fine shot. They become 

 fully grown (g) in two or three weeks, when they 

 descend to the ground, and change to pupae (/). Ten 

 days later the perfect beetles (c, natural size; k, mag- 

 nified) come forth and eat the leaves, although the 

 damage done by the insect in this state is less than 

 that done by larvae. There are three or four broods 

 each season, and the beetles pass the winter in hollow 

 trees and under old leaves. 



Remedies Spray with arsenate of lead when the 

 eggs are being laid, in order to kill the larvae before 

 they have done any damage. The addition of a little 

 flour to the poison mixture seems to render it more 

 effective. To reach the tops of high trees a pump of 

 considerable power is required. In July destroy the 

 larvae as they come to the ground to pupate. 



An excellent discussion of shade-tree insects and 

 methods of controlling them by Dr L. O. Howard may 

 be found in the yearbook of the United States Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture for 1895. 



