EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETINS. 



255 



BEMEDIGS. 



After an attack by this insect, it always is well to plow in the fall in order to 

 expose as many of the larvae and pupae as possible. 



When the larvae first appear, do not wait, but spray thoroughly with Paris green, 

 using one pound to 175 gallons of water and adding one pound of quicklime, as 

 explained on page 139. At Three Rivers, stronger mixtures were used, but the spray- 

 ing was hardly commenced before rain set in, and it is impossible to say just what the 

 result would have been under ordinary circumstances. In applying the poison, use a 

 nozzle that allows of spraying upward from beneath, as many of the worms work on 

 the under side of the leaves. Keep the leaves well poisoned as long as the worms are 

 present and always add quicklime. 



THE PALLID FLEA-BEETLE. 



[tiystena taeniata var. blanda.) 



It has been said that no matter what plant or weed be selected, if we attempt to 

 grow it on a large scale, insects and diseases perhaps hitherto unknown, will attack it 

 and render its cultivation difficult. Whenever a new crop is raised, a number of our 

 native species usually take to it, changing their food habits to that extent and some- 

 times making unforeseen complications. The sugar beet has had its full quota of insect 

 enemies during the season of 1899, and not the least among them has been the Pale 

 Flea-beetle. 



This insect is so small that it seems almost impossible for it to do any serious harm, 

 but it occurs in great numbers, at times swarminfr over the beet plants. It measures 

 about one-eighth of an inch in length and is yellowish-brown in color. Down each 

 wing-cover extends a yellow stripe. The prothorax is yellow and the head brownish- 

 red The legs are yellowish-brown with the hind thighs swollen, and the underside of 

 the body is black.' Fig. 8. The name flea-beetle is given to this group of beetles 

 because of their habit of jumping like fleas when disturbed. 



Fig. 8. i'allid Flea-beecie, SijutKiia tacntata var. Olanda. \Uriuinal.) 



