REPORT OF STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 1899 



539 



Locust borer (Cyllene robiniae Foerst.) Some half dozen 

 of the pretty beetles belonging to this species were received September 

 20 from J. H. West of Poughkeepsie N. Y., with the information that 

 they had practically destroyed a very handsome young locust tree, 

 which to within two years had been in excellent condition. The attack 

 was first observed in the early fall of 1897. The trunk, about 6 inches 

 in diameter, was full of holes to within 15 or 20 feet from the ground 

 and " the outside was covered with these bugs to the top." The tree 

 was treated with benzine and washed several times with a stream from a 

 hose. Last year no insects were noticed, but for the past few weeks the 

 beetles have been very abundant. Several limbs and one of the two 

 main trunks were so badly riddled with burrows that they broke with 

 their own weight. A portion of the infested tree, which came to hand 

 later, showed that the above account was not an exaggerated one. The 

 interior of the branch, one of the best on the tree, was badly honey- 

 combed with burrows and here and there, where the beetles had emerged, 

 the bark was badly undermined and perforated. The tree had evidently 

 been oviposited on freely, as irregular clusters of ovoid white eggs, 

 about -J- inch long and 7 \ inch in diameter, were found in cavities beside 

 some burrows, and single eggs, tucked in longitudinal crevices of the 

 young bark, were numerous. 



Elm leaf beetle. In Albany, Troy and vicinity this pest, Galeru- 

 cella luteola Mull, has been as injurious as in preceding years, 

 except where it has been controlled by spraying with arsenites. As it 

 has established itself in force at Worcester Mass. and in a number of towns 

 in the same county, all of which are probably within the transition life zone, 

 it is very likely that in the course of time this beetle will make its way over 

 a much larger portion of the state of New York than it has hitherto been 

 supposed the insect could occupy. But I have yet to learn of its establish- 

 ing itself in territory in this state outside the upper austral life zone, 

 though it probably will, if it can exist in the places named in Massachu- 

 setts. In both Albany and. Troy large amounts of arsenate of lead have 

 been used with most excellent results, when the applications have been 

 timely and thorough. W. H. Swift & Co.'s prepared paste was used at 

 the rate of 4 pounds to 200 gallons of water. In Troy over 1500 pounds 

 of this insecticide was applied to the trees, and the person using it was 

 highly pleased with the results, specially as the poison was found in the 

 autumn on fallen leaves last sprayed May 22. Probably an 

 equal amount was used in Albany. Troy furnishes an interesting exam- 

 ple of what the elm leaf beetle can do. Its ravages there have been 



