2 BULLETIN 184, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
were known to injure the pecan. In any case, the huisache was of 
sufficient value to warrant a thorough investigation of the girdler, 
as it holds front rank as a shade tree in the newly developed 
country in the lower Rio Grande Valley. When the girdlers were 
first found and observed at work they were exceedingly abun- 
dant, and there was no difficulty in collecting a large number in 
a very short time. A shipment was immediately made to Wash- 
ington, where Dr. Chittenden identified the insect as Oncideres 
putator, and later Mr. E. A. Schwarz confirmed this determination. 
Since the girdler was first observed, its work has become more con- 
spicuous each successive season. In 1913, over the infested area as a 
whole, the beetles appeared in lesser numbers, but in places they 
were more abundant and the damage was greater than at any time 
during the four years previous. This would indicate that climatic 
conditions were not altogether responsible for the decrease, as some 
of the infested areas were near and in close proximity to one another. 
It is believed that natural enemies were responsible in part, if not 
wholly, for the lack of uniformity in distribution in 1913. 
The beetles (PL I) possess powerful mandibles and saw with ease 
branches If inches in diameter, completely severing them from the 
main body of the tree. The eggs, as with other twig girdlers, are 
deposited in the severed portion of the branch, and never below 
where it is girdled. The writer has observed as many as 63 girdled 
branches from one tree, some of which measured 40 millimeters in 
diameter, the average ranging from 22 to 35 millimeters. (See PI. 
II.) No other girdler has been observed to prune branches of this di- 
ameter, and all near relatives with which we are acquainted prune 
or girdle much smaller branches. Oncideres putator, unlike some 
girdlers, does not work so much in pairs, but is often found in colo- 
nies as well. The girdling is usually begun a few inches from the 
base of the branch selected for oviposition or just above where it 
joins the body of the tree or larger branch, though cases have been 
observed where the attack was directed to the middle of the branch. 
At times after the sawing has been begun by one female beetle others 
will begin depositing eggs before the girdling is very far advanced, 
apparently with little fear that the branch will not be completely 
girdled in due time. Young trees are often girdled only a few inches 
above ground, but where large trees are adjacent the beetles seem 
to prefer attacking the branches instead. (Pis. Ill, IV.) 
In view of the fact that in the lower Rio Grande Valley and other 
parts of the Southwest where much development in farm lands is in 
progress, and where the huisache is oftentimes the only shade tree 
found upon a farmer's premises, it is thought advisable to present 
here for publication the life history, food plants, and habits of this 
girdler, with suggestions for control. 
