ELM LEAF BEETLE. 827 



Information concerning this pest may be obtained at any time 

 from the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station at New 

 Haven. Bulletin 155 gives a complete account of the insect, and 

 will be sent on request as long as the supply lasts. 



W. E. Britton, 



State Entomologist. 



SUMMARY. 



The elm leaf beetle was introduced into this country from 

 Europe about seventy years ago, and caused serious injury to 

 trees at Baltimore, Md., in 1838 and 1839. From this point it 

 spread slowly, chiefly to the northward, reaching Connecticut 

 in the early nineties, and injuring and killing many fine old trees 

 in the coast towns. Later, inland towns were attacked, and the 

 trees ravaged. The insect is now foujid from Charlotte, N. C, 

 as far north as North Conway, N. H., and as far west as central 

 Kentucky, but has not proven destructive to elm trees north of 

 Massachusetts. It is preeminently a pest of shade trees in cities 

 and towns, and seldom injures trees in the open fields. Since 

 1896 the attacks have diminished, but the pest was again serious 

 in 1906. 



The winter is passed by the adult beetles in attics, belfries 

 and cracks in fences, and they come forth in April, and later 

 feed and lay their yellow eggs upon the unfolding leaves. Beetles 

 eat holes through the leaves, eggs hatch in a week, and the larvae 

 eat off the green tissue from the under surface, causing the leaves 

 to turn brown and fall about the middle of July, at which time 

 tbe larvag are about full grown. Then they descend to the base 

 of the tree and transform to naked pupae; ten days later the adult 

 beetles emerge and lay eggs for the second brood or go early into 

 winter quarters. 



Two complete defoliations in succession will kill a tree. 



How to Fight the Elm Leaf Beetle. 



I. Search all attics, church belfries and cupolas for the 

 dormant beetles in winter and early spring. Sweep them up and 

 burn them. 



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