GALERUCA XANTHOMELAENA, Schrank

Abstract

I visited Flushing, L. I., July 8th, to examine the insect reported to be infesting the noble old English elms which adorn the principal streets of that village. Three weeks ago these trees were in luxuriant foliage; they have now the appearance as if they had been scorched by fire. I discovered them to be attacked with a countless host of the larvae of this beetle. The American elm and other indigenous trees have thus far escaped, but it is not improbable, as this beetle is double brooded, that the numerous larvae will from force of circumstance attack them. The eggs are laid in clusters along the veins of the leaves, on their under sides. The larvae, as soon as hatched out, begin to devour the leaves, which they render lace-like, and when full fed they do not undergo transformation by fastening themselves to the surface of the leaves, as is the habit with other species, and as I have seen recorded of this, but transform within the crevices of the bark. At this time, July 8th, the trunks of the trees are covered with the larvae seeking places to transform, and there is scarcely a crevice of the bark but what is filled with the yellow pupal forms which will in a few days disclose the imagines.