FOREST AND SHADE TREE INSECTS-I. 



YELLOW LOCUST, {Robinia Pseudacacia, Z.) 

 PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION OF INSECT RAVAGES. 



Returning to the Station on August 7th, after an absence of about 

 two months, I observed the locust trees all along the Baltimore & 

 Ohio R. R., between Central Station and Morgantown peculiarly 

 affected. The trees everywhere in the forest and field having a 

 scorched and dead appearance. 



The landscape thus marred by the dead appearance of this, one 

 of our most valuable as well as beautiful forest and shade trees, at- 

 tracted the attention of every one, and excited their wonder and 

 curiosity as to the cause of the trouble. 



Arriving at Morgantown, which seemed to be the worst affected 

 district, I at once, by the request of the Director of the Scation 

 commenced an investigation which was continued until August 14, 

 when I was called away to attend to other duties. This short time 

 only enabled me to lay a foundation for a future and more thorough 

 investigation, which the extent and increasing value of the locust 

 timber certainly warrants, when it may be destroyed by insects 

 within a few years, as has been done in New England and the West. 



The present trouble was found to be caused by insects; and the 

 region thus affected so far as I have since observed extends through 

 Doddridge, Harrison and Preston Counties, from Grafton westward 

 to near the Wetzel County line, from Fairmont through Monongalia 

 County to the Pennsylvania line, and from Piedmont southward 

 through Tucker, Randolph, Upshur and Lewis Counties. The 

 trees were unaffected through Ritchie and Wood Counties, and along 

 the Ohio River as far as was observed, the leaves being fresh and 

 green at the time they seemed to be dying in the infested districts 

 mentioned. This dead and scorched appearance of the locust trees 

 at a time of year when they are noted for their beautiful green foli- 

 age was, as far as can at present be learned, first noticed in Harri- 

 son County about the year 1885, when a few scattering trees were 

 observed to turn brown. The number of trees thus affected rapidly 

 increased each year until every tree, bush, and sprout of this species 

 looked as if it had been killed by fire. This trouble continued to 

 spread until at present at least one-fifth of the State is affected. 



While over forty species of insects were found to be feeding on 

 different parts of the affected trees, one species, the Locust Hispa, 

 appeared to be the principal cause of the trouble. The following 

 is an account of this and other insects so far observed- 



