ELM LEAF BEETLE IN NEW YORK STATE 21 



the fungus Sporotrichum entomophilum Peck, 

 which has been observed developing on many beetles in this city. 

 Like the disease of the chinch bug caused by the allied fungus, 

 Sporotrichum globuliferum Speg., the one attack- 

 ing the elm leaf beetle requires moist atmosphere for its 

 development. Beetles in close breeding jars, under the bark of 

 trees or in similar damp places succumb readily to the disease. 

 Climatic conditions are not ordinarily favorable to the rapid 

 growth of this fungus, so it has a relatively slight value as a 

 natural check on the elm leaf beetle. 



Several insects are known to prey on this pest, its pupa or 

 its larva. Three beetles, Platynus punctiformis 

 Say, Quedius molochinus Grav. and Chauliog- 

 nathus marginatus Fabr., feed on this species as 

 recorded by Eiley. A fly, Oyrtoneura stabulans 

 Fall., destroys many pupae in Washington. In this latitude 

 the half grown larva of Podisus spinosus Dallas has 

 been observed with an elm leaf beetle grub on its extended 

 beak, and it probably preys extensively on the larvae, since in 

 Washington all stages are known to attack it. Mr Kirkland 

 has recorded two other species, Podisus serieventris 

 Uhler and P. p 1 a c i d u s Uhler as preying on this pest. He 

 also found Stiretrus anchorago Fabr. feeding upon 

 the larvae. A small capsid, Camptobrochis grandis 

 Uhler, sucks the eggs. Larvae of lacewing flies, also called 

 aphis lions, are frequently found on leaves with the young of 

 the elm leaf beetle, and are reported by Kiley to feed on both 

 eggs and larvae. Mites have been observed by the writer near 

 egg clusters that had suffered injury. This insect finds an 

 enemy in the southern portion of its range in the praying 

 Mantis, Stagmo mantis Carolina Linn. It is very 

 probable that the European praying Mantis, Mantis 

 r e 1 i g i o s a Linn., recently established in a number of 

 localities in the state through the efforts of the writer, will 

 also prey on this injurious beetle. 



Though we have seen nothing of the kind in this vicinity, one 

 gentleman affirms most positively that the English sparrow 



