March, 1920.] DiCKERSOX & WeISS : EVENING PrIMROSE InSECTS. 63 



slight flattening within it, surface finely, but very indistinctly punc- 

 tate, not closely, smoother near the apex. Body beneath and legs 

 colored as above; abdomen coarsely, not closely punctate. Length 

 4-4.5 mm, 



" The last ventral of the male has a very distinct sinuation each 

 side, the middle lobe flat, with a deep longitudinal impression ex- 

 tending over half the segment and ending abruptly. In most of the 

 collections examined this species is labelled foliacea, from which it 

 differs in form, sculpture and male characters. Occurs along the 

 sea-coast region from Florida to New Jersey, and probably farther 

 north." 



In Xew Jersey the beetles appear during the first part of June 

 and deposit eggs on the leaves of primrose. As a rule these are 

 placed on the lower surface in groups of two or three, although in 

 some few cases as many as twelve were noted in one batch. In a 

 few instances eggs were found on the stems. The eggs are laid on 

 their sides and glued to each other and to the leaf. They hatch in 

 about one week and the larvae skeletonize the leaves usually from the 

 under surfaces. When full grown they enter the soil in which they 

 pupate, constructing small cells for this purpose about one half inch 

 below the surface. 



During the last of July adults appear and eggs are again depos- 

 ited during the first of August. The second brood of larvae feed 

 mostly on the leaves but many of those which mature late are found 

 feeding on the small flower buds and even on the green seed cap- 

 sules. These become full grown about the last of August and then 

 pupate, about two weeks being required for this stage, the hiber- 

 nating brood of beetles appearing about the middle of September. 

 On account of the overlapping of the two broods adults can be 

 found throughout the state from June through September. In view 

 of the fact that some beetles were found in the pupal cells in the soil 

 during the last half of September, it is quite probable that some over- 

 winter in such places. 



Haltica fuscoaenea Mcls. , ' ' 



This species is another flea beetle which appears to confine its 

 attacks to evening primrose. It occurs in various parts of Xew 

 Jersey but is especially abundant in the southern part. Its method 



