LEAF-BEETLES. 159 



bust, by means of which the insect is able to jump about very 

 nimbly. One of the legs, detached from the body, is shown in 

 Fig. 163. On the approach of winter the beetles retire to some 

 suitable shelter, as under leaves, pieces of bark, or in the earth 

 immediately around the roots of vines, where they remain inac- 

 tive until the following spring. In addition to the grape-vine they 

 feed on the Virginia Creeper, (Ampclopsis quinque folia) , and 

 the alder, (Aliius scrrulata), and sometimes eat the leaves of the 

 plum tree. 



"Remedies : To destroy the beetles it is recommended to 

 strew air-slaked lime or unleached ashes around the infested 

 vines in the autumn, removing and destroying all rubbish which 

 might afford shelter. In the spring the canes and young foliage 

 may be syringed with water in which a teaspoonful of Paris-green 

 has been stirred to each gallon. Strong soap-suds have also 

 been recommended, and are deserving of trial. On chilly morn- 

 ings the beetles are comparatively sluggish and inactive, and may 

 then be jarred from the vines on to sheets and collected and de- 

 stroyed. These insects are much more abundant in some sea- 

 sons than in others." 



THE LESSER GRAPE-VINE FLEA-BEETLE. 



(Haltica ignita 111.). 



This little beetle, not much more than half the size of the 

 one described above, varies greatly in different portions of the 

 Union, even in different parts of the same state. It is polished 

 greenish-blue, dark blue, purplish-blue, copper-colored, or even 

 brassy. All those found in Minnesota are dark blue, with a light 

 tinge of purple. Their habits are identical with those of H. 

 chalybea, hence it is nofnecessary to describe them. They were 

 first noticed by Mr. J. W. Taylor, who resides near White Bear 

 Lake, early in the spring of 1899, eating into the buds of wild 

 grapes ; soon afterwards they attacked his cultivated varieties, and 

 later the foliage of the Virginia Creeper. Their work is shown in 

 Fig. 164, Plate VI. After destroying the buds they continued 



