Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-08-10
Injurious Elm Leaf Beetles.


the Imported elm Ieaf-beetle (Galeru-
celia luteola) The elm Hea-beetle, which
is a native insect seems to have a wide
distribution in New England In Maine
ii is known to occur as far north as
HouAton ats work upon the elm is like
that of the imported species and has
sometimes been mistaken for it. Adult
beetles are found feeding upon elm
leaves in June. These lay their yellow
eggs in rows along the mid rib and
other veins of the leaves. The chief in
jury is done by the larvae which be-
come full fed late in July and descend
to the ground for pupation which takes
place for the most part before August.
The larvae resemble those of the import
ed species but differ in being smaller and
paler.
The larvae of this insect and also the
character of it's work so resembles that
of the other species that 1t is easily mis-
taken for 1t, but the adult beetle which
energies in August is quite different 1t
is dark metallic blue with bright cop
perry reflections, and measures a little
more than 1-6 inch in length. 1t may be
fought by the same methods as the next
species.
The Imported Elm-Leaf-beetle (Galeru-
celia luteola) is a much better known
species. While thus far we have received
il only from the southwestern countries
it appears to be spreading. 1t is an i'm
ported species first introduced at Balti-
more about rs years ago. and now found
all along the Atlantic coast as far south
as North Carolina. The insect both as a
larva and an adult freely feeds on elm
leaves frequently so despoiling them as
to render them useless for shade. AS
far as known this insect is but one
brooded i'm this state, the adults making
their appearance about the time the elms
put forth their leaves perishing soon
after egg laying. The eggs which are
placed on the lower side of the leaves
in vertical clusters of from to 20 or
more, are orange yellow in color. In
about one week the larvae emerge. be-
gin feeding, skeletonizing the leaves in
irregular spots between the veins. The
leaves are sometimes completely riddled.
or sometimes only the softer portions
are eaten the epidermis being left,
which drys and causes the tissue to as
sumo a brown appearance, to curl and
ultimately to fan. Although our native
American elms suffer severely from this
pest when grown alone, European elms
seem to be especial favorites with this
insect. and this would naturally be ex-
pected from its European origin. Its
preference for the European elms is es-
pecially noticeable where these are
grown in conjunction with American
elms the former being frequently en-
tirely denuded, while the latter remain
practically uninjured. In general the
| coarser-leaved sorts of elms are distaste-
ful to the beetles. and the smooth thin
leaved varieties are especially subject to
attack.
The larva is elongate. reaching a length
of about half an inch.4 and when newly
Matched is nearly black. AS it increases
| in size it becomes. with each shedding of
the skin. more distinctly marked with
yellow. and when mature the yellow pre-
dominates, occurring as a broad stripe
and two lateral stripes. This stage lasts
normally or weeks. 1t is in this stage
when most of the damage is done.
The pupa is uniformly light orange
yellow, oval In shape. strongly convex
dorsally, and little over a quarter of
an inch in length. 1t remains in this
stage week~or ten days The pupae
may be found in abundance in crevices
of the bark and on the ground about the
trees.
The adult, or beetle. is slightly over
quarter of an inch long. generally of a
yellowish- brown color. with three some
what indistinct brownish-black stripes
on the wings.
In the single-brooded regions as in
northern New England the beetles do
not come out of their winter quarters
tbo loc of Low nd N panpra1
the periods are fully month later for
the different stages than in the southern
districts, the beetles of the summer brood
transforming most abundantly about the
| LIST of August. After feeding on the
| leaves a little while they go into hiber-
nation during August and September, re-
manning dormant eight or nine months.
Information takes place in the adult
state. For this purpose the beetles FREE
quently enter houses and barns or out
buildings, sometimes assembling In such
numbers that it is possible to collect
them by the quart. They also enter
cracks in posts, telegraph poles. fences,
| etc, or wherever they can secure par
| tial protection from winter storms.
| REMEDIES-In nearly every stage of
| its life history this insect is easily sub
| ject to treatment. The best means
against the adults and larvae consist in
the use OIL arsenical .posons in the form
of sprays on the foliage. The adults.
for the week or two after emerging, feed
ON the newly expanded foliage, and
| spraying with Paris green or other ar
senical will destroy the great majority
of them. Especial pains should be TAX
| en- to accomplish the destruction of the
| insect in this stage, in order to pre-
vent the partial Disagreement of the
trees which will result If the matter be
delayed until the larvae begin tosappear-
If rains interfere with spraying for the
| adults. or IL it be neglected, the trees
should be Sprayed with arsenicals
promptly on the first appearance of the
larvae, and the application perhaps re-
newed a week or ten days later, espec-
| tally If rains have interviewed
Arsenate of lead. used at the rate of
about four pounds to so gallons of water
is the most satisfactory spray. The
liquid should be applied by strong
force pump. long hose, and nozzle,
| ,t.,n