THE ELM-LEAF- BEETLE IN NEW TOEK STATE 21 



destroys many pupae in Washington. In this latitude the iiaif- 

 grown larva of Podisus spinosus Dallas has been observed with 

 an elm-leaf beetle grub in its extended beak, and it probably 

 preys extensivelj^ on the larvae, since in Washington all stages 

 are known to attack it. Unfortunately this beneficial species is 

 not abundant, though it is to be hoped that the large food 

 supply will lead to an increase in its number. A small capsid, 

 CamptohrocMs grandis Uhler, sucks the eggs. Larvae of lace- 

 wing flies, also called aphis lions, are frequently found on leaves 

 with the young of the elm-leaf beetle, and are reported by Riley 

 to feed on both eggs and larvae. Mites have been seen near egg 

 clusters that had suffered injury. In the southern portion of its 

 range, this insect finds an enemy in the praying Mantis, Mantis 

 Carolina Linn. 



Although I have seen nothing of the kind in this vicinity, one 

 gentleman afSrms most positively that the English sparrow feeds 

 on the elm-leaf beetle larvae, he having repeatedly observed it 

 picking them off the trunks of the trees. If the sparrow has this 

 habit, it offsets to a certain extent the many bad features pos- 

 sessed by this bird. 



Undoubtedly the most satisfactory method of controlling this 

 insect is found in poisoning the foliage. The objection hereto- 

 fore urged against this means has been the expense involved, and 

 it still applies to a certain extent in the case of the private indi- 

 vidual with but a few trees to care for. Aside from the cost of 

 the necessary apparatus, the operation of spraying even large 

 shade trees is not so expensive as is commonly supposed and on 

 the other hand valuable results may be obtained with a compara- 

 tively inexpensive outfit, although the cost per tree may be in- 

 creased. 



Cost of spraying elms. I have taken some pains to ascer- 

 tain the precise cost of spraying per tree in the hope of encourag- 

 ing those to whom this would be a serious item. It is pleasant to 

 record that the expense is much lower than I had supposed. Dr 

 Smith, of the New Jersey agricultural experiment station, has 



