10 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



by a subdorsal row of dark tubercles, which increase' in size 

 posteriori}^ The lateral yellow stripe includes a row of promi- 

 nent tubercles with dark tips bearing short hairs of the same 

 color. The predominating color of the ventral surface is yellow. 



The pupa (pi. 1, fig. 4) is bright orange yellow, about i inch 

 long and with a very convex dorsal surface which bears trans- 

 verse rows of stout, inconspicuous setae. 



Life history. In order to control this insect successfully it 

 must be known and its habits understood. Trite though the 

 preceding may appear we have observed men in several places 

 spraying for this pest without accomplishing anything for the 

 simple reason that they did not understand the fundamental 

 principles of fighting insects. In one case the trunk of the tree 

 was sprayed while the grubs were on the leaves; in another 

 paris green and water was used when kerosene emulsion or 

 whale oil soap solution should have been employed. 



The beetles pass the winter in attics, sheds, outhouses and 

 various other sheltered places. With the advent of warm 

 weather in the spring they emerge from their retreats and may 

 be found on the walks during the sunny portion of the day or 

 on the windows of houses, vainly trying to escape. Even as 

 early as May 12, numbers of these beetles were to be seen 

 in 1898 on the ofQce windows of the fourth story of the capitol, 

 showing to what a hight they will fly in seeking secure winter 

 quarters. On the appearance of the leaves, the last of April 

 or the early half of May in the latitude of Albany, they fly into 

 the trees and eat irregular holes in the foliage (pi. 1, fig. 9). 

 After feeding some time, and pairing, the orange yellow eggs 

 are deposited on the under surface of the leaves in clusters of 

 about five to 26. The period of oviposition of the overwintered 

 beetles extends from the latter part of May throughout the 

 greater part of June in the vicinity of Albany. The duration 

 of the egg stage in July averages about five days; in cooler 

 weather it may be longer. Feeding and oviposition continue for 

 several weeks in the spring, probably four to six. During this 

 time the beetles consume a large amount of foliage, which is 

 evidently necessary for the development of the eggs, as clusters 

 are laid every day or two till the full complement, which is in 

 the neighborhood of from 431 to 623, is discharged. 



