MONOGRAPH OF THE GENUS SAPERDA IQ 



borers in each trunk, one of which is very apt to work downward to 

 the depth of 3 or 4 inches and often below the ground level and the 

 others in an opposite direction. The young grubs bore just beneath 

 the bark, much like those of S. Candida Fabr., and the nearly 

 full grown individuals work near the center of the stems and not 

 infrequently fairly riddle the base, causing it to break in the 

 wind. In fact, the general method of work is very similar to 

 that of the round-headed appletree borer, and the perfect insect 

 emerges from a hole very similar to that made by the species 

 infesting the apple. 



The beetle [pi. 5, fig. 6] is generally found near the top of alder 

 branches. Mr Fred Knab, of Chicopee Mass. states that it 

 easily escapes notice on account of its great resemblance to a 

 withered leaflet. He adds that it differs from others of its genus, 

 which are also shy insects, in that it remains perfectly motion- 

 less, clinging tightly to the branch and with the antennae ex- 

 tended forward. He has also found this insect on birch. Dr 

 Packard records the beetle as occurring on alder; Dr Smith 

 states that it is rare throughout New Jersey, where it breeds in 

 black alder; and the late Dr Lugger records it as breeding in 

 hazel shoots. 



Distribution. This species was described by Say from Mis- 

 souri ; it has been collected about Buffalo by Zesch-Reinecke ; 

 Dr Smith records it from New Jersey; and Dr LeConte from 

 Pennsylvania. The following localities for this species have 

 been given by Messrs Leng and Hamilton : Wisconsin, Missis- 

 sippi, Canada, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsyl- 

 vania and Missouri. It has been found in various localities about 

 New York city, such as Bronx park, Fort Lee and Staten Island and 

 has also been recorded from Alabama and Montreal. We have seen 

 specimens taken in Illinois in the Bolter collection. 



Description. Light reddish brown with darker bands; an- 

 tennae annulate, with the first joint dark and swollen; thorax 

 narrowed in front; a dorsal stripe of darker brown continuing 

 on the head; a subdorsal stripe that converges and continues on 



