THE ELM-LEAF BEETLE IN NEW YORK STATE 9 



black. The integument between the tubercles is a dark yellow. 

 The tubercles are so large and the hairs so prominent that the 

 prevailing color of the larva at this stage is black. As the larva 

 increases in size and molts, the stiff black hairs become less con- 

 spicious and the yellowish markings more prominent (pi. 1, 

 fig. 4) until the last stage. A full grown larva is about -J inch 

 long, more flattened than in the earlier stages, with a broad yel- 

 low stripe dorsally and a narrower stripe of the same color on 

 each side, the yellow stripes being separated by broad dark 

 bands thickly set with tubercles bearing short, dark-colored hairs. 

 The dorsal yellow stripe is broken on each side by a subdorsal, 

 row of dark tubercles, which increase in size posteriorly. The 

 lateral yellow stripe includes a row of prominent tubercles with 

 dark tips bearing shoi't hairs of the same color (pi. 1, fig. 5). The 

 predominating color of the ventral surface is yellow. 



The pupa is bright orange yellow, about ^ inch long, and with 

 a very convex dorsal surface which bears transverse 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 pre- 

 ceding may appear, I have noticed men in several places spraying 

 for this pest and doing no execution, for the simple reason that 

 they did not understand the fundamental principles involved in 

 fighting insects. In one case the trunk of the tree was sprayed 

 ■while the grubs were on the leaves, and in the other they used 

 paris green and water when kerosene emulsion or whale oil soap 

 solution should have been employed. 



The beetles pass the winter in attics, sheds or out-houses and 

 in various 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 upon the 

 Avindows of houses, vainly trying to escape. Even when writing 

 this (May 12th) numbers of these beetles are to be seen on the 

 office windows of the fourth story of the capitol, thus showing 

 to what a height they will fly in seeking secure winter quarters. 

 On the appearance of the leaves, the last of April or the early 



