8l6 CONNECTICUT EXPERIMENT STATION REPORT, I9O7-I908. 



The season was a dry one, and though most of these trees put out 

 a sickly growth of new leaves, it would have been much stronger 

 in a wet season, and therefore less damaging to the trees. 



Specimens of the elm leaf beetle were received from eleven 

 different correspondents, representing the following parts of 

 the state: Branford, Bridgeport, Ellington, Hartford, Meriden, 

 Moosup, New Canaan, North Stonington, Rowayton and Wap- 

 ping. From three of these localities (Branford, Meriden and 

 Moosup), specimens of natural enemies of the beetle were 

 received. These are discussed on page 821. 



In addition to the samples received during the season, this 

 office has received and answered fifty-five letters and many tele- 

 phone calls regarding the pest. The inquiries came from all 

 parts of the state, though most frequently from the southern 

 half, Waterbury reaching first place in regard to the number of 

 inquiries. 



As no comprehensive account of the elm leaf beetle has been 

 published in the later station Reports, and only scattered notes 

 have been given therein from time to time, it was thought best 

 to include the matter here. A portion of this paper appeared 

 as Bulletin 155 in June, 1907, but a number of additions have 

 been made to it as here given. 



HISTORY AND DISTRIBUTION IN AMERICA. 



The elm leaf beetle was introduced into this country probably 

 more than seventy years ago. In its native country, Europe, 

 where it had long been known, it had from time to time caused 

 serious injury in Italy, Austria, and the southern portions of 

 France and Germany. In Northern Europe the insect occurs 

 sparingly, but can hardly be called a pest. Harris states* that 

 the elm leaf beetle attacked and seriously injured the elm trees 

 of Baltimore, Md., in 1838 and 1839. The beetle seemed to 

 spread chiefly northward, though slowly, until Southern New 

 England was reached in the early nineties, and much damage 

 done. In the coast towns of Connecticut many fine old elms, 

 including some historic trees, were killed by its depredations. 

 Stamford, Norwalk, Bridgeport, Stratford, Milford and New 

 Haven especially lost many noble trees. Later the inland cities 



* Insects Injurious to Vegetation, page 124. 



