STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
831 
LOCUST. TttUKK. 
Another writer says, it “ is not of more than thirty years introduction into 
the United States.” But Drury informs us he “received it from New 
York, where it is found on the locust-tree.” And Forster says, it “inha¬ 
bits the Robinia Pseudacacia in the province of New York.” It hence 
appears that this beetle and its habits were known in our State almost a 
century ago. And fifty years anterior to these writers, Petiver gave a 
figure and description of it, in his “ Gazophylacium,” published in London 
in 1702, this being the first notice of it, probably, which has ever 
appeared. Moreover, as this beetle has never been found in any other part 
of the world, it was not introduced, but is undoubtedly a native species 
which has always existed here. 
From our American authorities, one would be at a loss to know by what 
scientific name to designate this insect. It is the Clytus pictus of Dr. 
Harris’s Treatise, the Clytus Rnbinice of Prof. Ilaldeman’s Monograph, 
the Arkopalus Robi?iice of Dr. Lc Conte’s Monograph, though changed in 
the errata to Arhopalus pictus, and still later, in the Smithsonian Cata¬ 
logue of Coleoptera, Clytus Jlexuosus is its preferred name. It fortunately 
happens in this instance, that of the several names the species has 
received, that which is preferable and most appropriate is that which also 
has the priority. It is circumstanced like another species which I have 
heretofore noticed. It was figured and described by Drury in 1770 but no 
name was then given to it. In 1771 Forster described it, naming it 
Leptura Robinice. Drury, in the appendix to his second volume, which 
was published in 1773, supplied the names which had been omitted in his 
first volume, terming this species Leptura picta. And two years after this, 
Fabricius, in his Systema Lntomologia, first noticed this species, naming it 
Callidium Jlexuosum, removing it into his new genus Clytus twenty-five 
years afterwards. Dr. Lc Conte refers it to the genus A? hopalus of 
Serville, making this genus more comprehensive than its author originally 
proposed, Serville himself placing it under Clytus. Which is the better 
generic arrangement I do not pretend to decide. 
This beetle is so prettily and peculiarly marked that it will readily be 
recognized, from the short description given, in the opening paragraph 
above. It is subject to some variations. The antennm are either black or 
tawny yellow. Sometimes the base of the wing covers are tawny yellow. 
Sometimes the zigzag band resembling the letter W is white instead of yel¬ 
low ; and specimens even occur in which all tho bands are white. I his 
insect breeds in the black walnut as well as the locust, and it is said to be 
individuals reared in this tree which have the bands more or less white. 
The only feasible method of checking the multiplication and destructive¬ 
ness of these borers, which I am able to suggest, is, to plant a small patch 
of the Golden rod ( Solidago) where locust trees are grown, that the beetles 
when they issue from the tree may resort to the flowers, as is their habit. 
They can readily be found thereon and captured and destroyed. It will be 
a pustimo to the children of the household, whose sharp eyes qualify them 
