THE ELM-LEAF BEETLE IN NEW YORK STATE 2Y 



USELESS MEASURES 



Although the life-history of this beetle is well known by 

 entomologists at least, it is surprising how people will cling to 

 some false idea, gained they know not where, of the proper 

 method of fighting this or some other insect. 



One of the most persistent of these fallacies is that cotton 

 placed around the trunk will protect a tree from the elm-leaf 

 beetle. Under certain conditions a band of cotton, tar or other 

 substance will protect trees from some insects, but never from 

 the elm-leaf beetle. It should be understood that the parent 

 insect flies up into the tree, feeds for a time and then lays the 

 eggs froim which the grubs emerge and commence their injurious 

 work. The band can not have the slightest influence in pro- 

 tecting the elm. It is only when the grubs have become full 

 grown that they are found on the trunks and then only for the 

 purpose of seeking shelter on the ground during pupation. If 

 a band of any kind blocks the way to the ground, they may trans- 

 form on the tree or even in the meshes of the cotton band and 

 fly aw^ay later. In case a band of tar is used, some of the grubs 

 will be caught on its surface by accident, but the number will 

 not be large enough to pay for the trouble incurred. 



Another so-called remedy for the elm-leaf beetle consists in 

 boring a hole to some depth in the trunk, nearly filling it with 

 sulphur or other preparation and then inserting a plug. This 

 method of treatment or some modification of it, is being brought 

 forward every few years as one of the ' sure cures.' The destruc- 

 tion by the elm-leaf beetle has encouraged at least one unscrup- 

 ulous firm, known in 1895 as the Elm inoculation company, to 

 advertise some modification of this method as a sure cure for the 

 pest. They treated many elms in Connecticut, 150 for one man 

 in Westchester county, N. Y., charging 50 cents or more per tree. 

 Chemical analysis showed their secret preparation to be nothing 

 of value. This or any similar treatment may well be regarded 

 with suspicious eyes by any would-be investor. It is hardly nec- 

 essary to add that such a remedy has mo basis in scientific fact 

 and any similar recommendations should not be heeded, unless 



