210 



HALF HOURS WITH IN^SECTS. [Packard. 



damia convergens; a, larva ; 6, pupa ; c, beetle, natural size ; 

 and Fig. 159, Chilocorus.) These lady birds destroy the 

 eggs and young grubs, and at times have been so efficient 

 as to save to farmers a large proportion of their crops. On 

 the opposite page are figures of different bugs and beetles 

 which also prey upon the potato beetle, rendering the most 

 efficient service. Of the bugs (Hemiptera) the first two 

 figures* represent certain common forms said by Mr. Riley 

 and others to prey at times voraciously both upon the larva 

 and beetle itself; the remaining figures illustrate certain 

 beetles known to prey upon it. 



Some of the governments of Europe are taking measures 

 to prevent this insect from crossing the Atlantic and in- 

 vading the potato fields of the old world. The Swiss au- 



FlG. 160. 



Blister Beetles, 

 thorities are on the alert, and the Belgian government has 

 promptly introduced a bill prohibiting the importation of 

 potatoes from the United States and other countries, as a 

 measure of precaution against the introduction of the Colo- 

 rado beetle and spread of the potato disease. 



The Blister beetles (Fig. 160, a, Lytta cinerea; 6, L. vit- 

 tata), which have at times ravaged potato fields, are said by 

 Mr. Riley to devour the young of the Colorado potato beetle. 



*rig. 161, &, Arma spinosa; a, its beak, enlarged; c, the beak of Euschistus 

 punctipes, a bug otherwise closely resembling Arma. Fig. 162, JTarpactor cine- 

 tus ; b, beak. Fig. 163, Tetracha Virginica. Fig. 164, Calosoma caiidum. Fig. 

 165, PasimachTiS elongatus. Fig. 166, Earpalus caliginosus. (See page 211.) 



18 



