140 



LEAF-BEETLES. 



almost any time. This beetle also feeds, during June, upon the 

 foliage of the grape, eating irregular holes into the upper sur- 

 face. During this time the female also lays eggs on the trunk 

 of the vine, or in any available crevice in the branches. In such 

 places the eggs hatch, and the young larva? drop to the ground, 

 and entering it, make their way beneath it as well as they can. 

 Eventually the}' reach the rootlets of the vines upon which they 

 feed. The beetle is shown in its various stages in Fig. 143. 



Fig. 143. — Fidia viticida, Walsh. — After Division of Entomology, D. S. De- 

 partment of Agriculture. 



So far remedial measures against the larva have not proven 

 very satisfactory, but according to Prof. Smith, spraying with a 

 strong arsenical mixture, using lime to avoid burning the foliage, 

 will kill many of the beetles. Cultivating the ground so as to 

 have a loose powdery top soil, without crevices leading to the 

 roots, which should also be covered as deeply as possible, will 

 prevent many of the larvse from reaching their desired food. 



