DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY. 



H. T. FERNALD. 



THE IMPORTED ELM LEAF-BEETLE. 



Galerucella luteola Mull. 



During the present summer much injury to the elms in this State 

 has been caused by the Imported Elm Leaf-Beetle, and as it is to 

 these trees that Massachusetts owes much of its beauty, many 

 inquiries have been received as to the life history of this insect and 

 the treatment necessary for its control. , 



HI.STORY. 



This insect is a native of Southern Europe though sometimes 

 found as far north as England and Sweden. It appears to have 

 reached this country at Baltimore, about 1835, since which time it 

 has slowly spread in all directions, though checked in its westward 

 progress by the Appalachian ranges. It probably reached south- 

 western Massachusetts in 1892 or 1893 as it was found in Amherst 

 in 1895. Since then it has gradually spread until it has become 

 abundant over the entire State. 



LIFE HISTORY. 



The elm leaf-beetle passes the winter as the adult beetle (Fig i, 

 c and k), hiding wherever it can find protection. House attics, 

 unused chimneys, church towers, barns and other places easy of 

 access appear in this locality to be preferred to cracks in fences, 

 crevices in the bark of trees, etc., for the purpose. 



In the spring the beetles leave their hiding places about the time 

 the leaf buds open, and after mating, feed upon the tender leaves, 

 making irregular holes. When the leaves become full grown egg 

 laying begins:, each female depositing from 400 to 600 eggs. These 



