67 
connected by the web. The larve seem to remain in the stalk only 
part of the time, but spend the remainder of the time above in the web. 
The twigs, of course, are killed down as far as the larve go, which great- 
ly mars the symmetry and beauty of the bush. This habit of boring 
is probably a generic characteristic, as several Huropean species are 
mentioned as having similar habits. 
Mr. Cook read the following note: 
THE POPLAR GONIOCTENA. 
By A. J. Cook, Agricultural College, Michigan. 
The past spring the poplars about the Michigan Agricultural College 
were seriously and extensively defoliated by a Chrysomelid beetle, Gon- 
ioctena pallida Linn. The larve were first found in early June, so that 
we did not have the eggs. The larva is much like the Elm-leaf Beetle 
in form and color. The beetles appeared June 21. They are yellowish 
brown, except the eyes, epicranium, two horn-like spots, and a central 
oval spot on the posterior portion of the prothorax, the scutellum, two 
large spots, one on each elytron near the scutellum, two nearly as large 
rounded spots near the suture, and just posterior to the center, three 
small spots along the lateral margins, and the entire underside of the 
body except a narrow margin, which are black. 
The beetles came forth late in June, but we found no larve or eggs, 
The Secretary then read the following notes: 
NOTES OF THE SEASON FROM SOUTH DAKOTA. 
By J. M. AupricH, Brookings, S. Dak. 
Cutworms have been more injurious than ever before. From limited 
data, I judge that the loss in the State reaches several millions of dol- 
lars. Corn, flax, gardens, and other crops suffered about in the order 
mentioned. 
At our station the large Willow Sawfly (Cimbex americana) is much 
less injurious than for several years. I havereared six or seven species 
of parasites from it, four of them being numerous. 
The Cottonwood Leaf Beetle is with us in large numbers, as usual. 
Our experiments in spraying with arsenites for this insect are more 
successful than heretofore, and I now feel confident that:it can be con- 
trolled (though not exterminated) by this method. Our new Russian 
poplars, so desirable in other respects, are chosen by the beetle in pref- 
erence to cottonwood. 
Gooseberries have suffered from a combined attack of the Spanworm 
(Hufitchea ribearia) and the Sawfly. J have not observed the latter in 
our State till this year, ) 
