Saperda
A genus of Beetles, belonging to those that possess long antennae, and a long, rather narrow body. The genus is recognised by the following group of peculiarities: The wing-cases reach to the hinder end of the body, which is cylindrical; the thorax has not a spine on either side; the antennae have eleven joints; and the tasters have a long, sharp end-piece. The beetles vary from about 1/3in. to 1 1/4in. in length, and are mostly black, or nearly so. A good many British species have been described; but the most hurtful are those which attack Poplars, Aspens, and Willows. The larvae feed in the wood of the branches, and sometimes cause distortions and swellings of the latter. The only treatment applicable is to cut off and destroy the branches swollen and tenanted by the insects. Fig. 415 (page 357) shows S. populnea (which is one of the most destructive species), and the injury inflicted by it on Poplars.
