ELM LEAF BEETLE IN NEW YORK STATE 



probably made its way here a year or two earlier. Its ravages 

 became more and more serious from that time till 1897, when 

 most of the European elms along our streets were completely 

 defoliated in early summer. The second growth of foliage was 

 seriously injured the same year and some trees had their third 

 set of leaves attacked. It was estimated in 1898 that fully 

 1000 elms had been killed within the city limits by this perni- 

 cious insect and many more would have suffered a similar fate, 

 had it not been for the systematic spraying undertaken then 

 and since continued. See pi. 3 and 4 for representations of the 

 injury caused by this pest. 



The record of this insect in Troy has been even worse than in 

 Albany. It probably made its way to that city about the same 

 time that it came here, and up to 1898 practically no effort had 

 been made to check its ravages. At that time probabh^ 1500 

 elms had been killed within the corporate limits of Troy and 

 since then many others have suffered a similar fate, though not 

 so many have died the last few years on account of the large 

 amount of spraying done in different parts of the city for pri- 

 vate parties. Even now it is possible to go into sections of the 

 city and see within two or three blocks 50 to 100 or more dead 

 elms. These are not aged trees that would have died irrespec- 

 tive of attack by insects, but are in most cases trees which a 

 few years ago were as thrifty and vigorous as anyone could 

 desire. 



The story of the city of Watervliet has been virtually that of 

 Troy except that less effort has been made to check the pest; 

 also, as a large proportion of the elms in Watervliet were of the 

 American or white variety on which the beetle does not thrive 

 so readily, the destruction was not quite so rapid. It hardly 

 seems possible, however, that fewer than 1500 magnificent trees 

 have been killed or practically ruined by this insect in Water- 

 , vliet. A brief note published in December 1900 in one of the 

 Albany papers is of value because it gives the testimony of one 

 who probably had little idea of the true cause of the condition 

 comi)lained of. Under Watervliet items was a short ])aragrapli 

 calling attention to the fact that numerous dvAd (rees wcic a 

 menace to the safety of pedestrians and stating that th(\v were 

 lo be found on almost everv block in tlie citv. It uii^lit further 



