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BULLETIN OF 

 MASSACHUSETTS BOAED OF AGRICULTURE. 



THREE SHADE-TREE INSECTS. 



By A. H. KiRKLAND, M.S., Assistant Entomologist. 



The Sugar Maple Borer.* 



One of the largest and most gaily colored beetles of our New 

 England fauna is responsible for injuries of a most serious char- 

 acter to the sugar maple, a tree which, from beauty of form and 

 as a source of sugar, justly holds a high place in popular es- 

 timation. The damage resulting from this beetle, commonly 

 known as the sugar maple borer, shows itself in gnarled and dis- 

 torted trunks, dying branches and, too frequently, in the gradual 

 death of the entire tree. This pest is not a new one to this 

 region, although its ravages appear to be most severe in more 

 northern latitudes. The habits of the insect were first noticed and 

 described by a New Hampshire pastor, the Rev. L. W. Leonard, 

 who is quoted by Dr. Harris in his " Insects Injurious to Vegeta- 

 tion." The latter author gives an excellent description of the ma- 

 ture beetle. Other writers have given many interesting notes upon 

 the habits of the insect, but perhaps the best account of the life 

 history of this borer is that by Prof. A. S. Packard, in the fifth 

 report of the U. S. Entomological Commission, From this article, 

 as well as from the writings of Saunders, Bethune, Weed and 

 others, the writer has drawn liberally in the preparation of this 

 paper. 



Life History. 



The eggs are laid by the mature beetle on the trunks of sugar 

 maples during the months of July and August. According to 

 Packard, the beetle cuts obscure gashes in the bark and in them 



* Plagionotus speciosus Say. 



