124 DESTRUCTIVE INSECTS OF VICTORIA: 



the damage these pests were doing in many parts of our 

 State, and now, in 1907-8, there has occurred another 

 and much more serious outbreak, resulting in large 

 losses to growers of pumpkins, marrows, etc. 



We have received large numbers of specimens from 

 growers, who state that these beetles have appeared in 

 thousands, eating leaves and flowers of the plants 

 mentioned, leaving only a portion of the leaf stalks on 

 the ground. 



In America the Elm-leaf Beetle (Gallerucella luteola) 

 has caused damages to the extent of thousands of pounds 

 per annum, and the fine elm trees of New York and 

 other places have suffered badly. 



In this pest we have a serious difficulty to face, and, as 

 stated before, it has developed a taste for cherries, peaches, 

 and other soft fruits, so that it is a matter of conjecture 

 as to where its depredations will stop. 



In most cases with foliage-eating insects, they are 

 easier dealt with than are Coccidce (or scale insects), 

 Codlin Moth, Root-borer, etc ; but the present beetle 

 appears to be of a somewhat robust nature, and fairly 

 powerful washes are required to permanently destroy 

 them. Fortunately these beetles are conspicuous in 

 appearance, and thus are more easily detected than 

 many of our other orchard and garden pests. It may 

 be mentioned that these chrysomelids are frequently 

 alluded to as lady-birds, which they of course are not; 

 very few of the latter Epilachna, and a few others, being 

 the exceptions ; nearly the whole of the so-called lady- 

 birds being mostly useful aids to the grower, and should, 

 of course, be jealously guarded against thoughtless 

 destruction. 



Our plate shows these insects at work on a 

 marrow leaf. It would be interesting to find 

 out the cause of these and other insects making 

 their appearance in such vast numbers ; and these 

 matters are now being investigated by myself and 

 assistants. 



