UNITED STATES DEPAHTMSM? 0? A^HICULTUEE, 

 2UB3AU 0? EKJ0M0IO3T, 

 WASHINGTON, B. C 



January 15, I92H. 



forest Entomology Brief 56- 



DEFOLIATION 0? EYEESEESIJ TREES. 



Leaf eating by caterpillars, similar insect larvae, and adult 

 beetles is the mcst evident, frequently observed and often complained 

 of form of insect attack :n shade and ornamental trees. Such insect 

 work as it approaches the stripping of leaves from the whole tree or 

 shrub, or a part, is frequently a serious injury to evergreens. The 

 defoliated part or the whole tree may die, or under mere favorable 

 circumstances may only be stunted, but the vitality of evergreens 

 stripped of their leaves is considerably impaired, even when they do 

 not die, and they become attractive and easy prey for a number of 

 other insect enemies. 



Evergreens attacked by leaf-eating insects should be sprayed with 

 a lead arsenate solution as soon as the insects are observed, and it 

 is important in view cf the menace of defoliation to evergreens that 

 the;/ be systematically examined at intervals in order to check any in- 

 sect feeding work when it is beginning. 



Some accessory methods, such as the collection and destruction 

 cf cocoons and egg masses, the burning of infested leaves or needles, 

 and the cutting and burning of infested shoots, are available for use 

 against certain species. 



Advice concerning the use of these methods can cf course only be 

 given when the insect attacking the tree is positively known as the 

 result of an examination of specimens submitted, or, in rare instances, 

 when descriptions given are sufficiently accurate for recognition. 

 Any of the accessory methods suggested above when underlined are con- 

 sidered advisable in combating the species involved. 



WILLIAM MIBDLETOU, 



Specialist in Shade- Tre e Insects. 



Approved: 



F. C. Craighead, 



Entomologist in charge of Forest Insect Investigations . 



