~324 Report OF THE ENTOMOLOGISTS OF THE 
INTRODUCTION. 
The industry of growing basket willows in central New York 
has been seriously handicapped by an insect known among willow 
growers as the “ willow beetle,” but among writers on economic 
entomology as the cottonwood leaf beetle. It is a species which, 
previous to 1894, attracted but little attention in the east, although 
it has long been known as a serious pest to cottonwood in the mid-. 
dle and western states. Since the winter of 1893-94 this insect 
has been very abundant in this State, especially in Onondaga 
County, doing great damage in the willow fields about Syracuse 
and Liverpool. ; 
The investigations and experiments reported in this Bulletin 
were undertaken at the urgent request of some of the leading wil- 
low growers of the State. The life history and habits of the in- 
sect were studied only during the several visits made to the in- 
fested fields, as no suitable place for breeding the beetles at or near 
the Station was available. ‘The experiments cover a period of two 
years, and were undertaken with a view to determining, if possible, 
a satisfactory method of protecting the willows from serious in- 
jury by this insect. 
GENERAL NOTES UPON THE BEETLE. 
CLASSIFICATION AND NAME. 
This species is classified with the large and economically import- 
ant group of beetles scientifically known as the Chrysomelidae. 
This group includes the leaf-eating beetles and among them are 
found some of the most pernicious of the insect pests. 
Probably because this insect first attracted most attention as an 
enemy to the cottonwood, it was given the name of “Cottonwood 
Leaf Beetle” or the “Streaked Cottonwood Leaf Beetle.” In 
this State, however, it is little known excepting as a pest to basket 
willows and hence is known among willow growers as the “ Willow 
Beetle ” or incorrectly “The Willow Bug.” ‘The scientific name, - 
II] 
“ Inna scripta”’? was given the species by. Fabricius. 

1 Identified by Mr. E. A. Schwarz. 
