9 Dec, 1907.] The Pumpkin Beetle. 743 



THE PUMPKIN BEETLE. 



[Aitlacofhora oliveri.) 

 C. French, ]nr., Acting Government Entomologist. 



The Pumpkin Beetle is a yellowish insect, a'bout \ inch long by \ inch 

 broad, the head and thorax being yellowish and having two black spots 

 on each wing case, the two lower spots being larger than the upper ones. 

 This species {Aulacopliora oliveri) is also variously known as A. punctata 

 and A. hilaris. The insect belongs to the Gallerucides, several members 

 of this family being very destructive to various plants and trees; for in- 

 stance, in America the Elm Leaf Beetle {Galerucella Inteola) has caused 

 thousands of pounds worth of damage owing to its depredations among the 

 fine elm groves in New York and other places. 



During the past month residents in many parts of the State and also in 

 Clare (S.A.) and Corowa (N.S.W.), have forwarded specimens of the 

 beetle, often erroneously called the Ladybird Beetle, and have reported 

 that considerable damage to pumpkins, melons, vegetable marrows, Turks' 

 caps, and cucumber plants was being done by the pest. Nearly every 

 writer states that the beetles suddenly appeared in thousands, eating leaves 

 and flowers of the plants mentioned, and leaving only a piece of stalk in 

 the ground. One grower at Castlemaine stated that he counted fifty 

 beetles on one plant. In December, 1895, we had a similar visitation, 

 and they were also very prevalent in New South Wales, but of recent vears 

 thev have appeared only in small numbers in isolated places and have 

 caused very little damage. This season unfortunately appears to be a 

 favorable one for insect pests, as the Thrip, and Jassids (small green 

 insects commonly known as froghoppers) have caused considerable damage 

 to late apple crops, raspberries, beans, tomato plants, &c. The Cutworms 

 {Agrotis) have also been very destructive to tomato, potato, and other crops. 



Inspector Wallis has just reported to me that in the Wangaratta dis- 

 trict cherries have also been attacked. As far as I am aware this is the 

 first instance on record where fruit has been attacked bv the Pumpkin 

 Beetle. 



Among the most effective remedies used against this pest are the follow- 

 ing : — 



Paris Green. — i lb. to 200 gallons of water. First mix a little water 

 with the Paris Green to the consistency of thin cream ; then pour into the 

 larger quantitv of water, constantly stirring to prevent it from settling to 

 the bottom. To insure an even and regular distribution the mixture 

 should be constantlv and smartlv stirred while being used. It is advisable 

 that the Paris Green should be used in drv weather, so that it may not be 

 washed awav before it has time to destroy the beetles. 



Kruse's Insecticide. — This is recommended on account of it being fatal 

 to the Pumpkin Beetle in from one to three minutes. It will be found 

 rather an expensive remedy where melons are largely grown, but persons 

 having only a few plants would do well to give it a trial. 



White Hellebore. — The proportions of this mixture are one ounce of 

 powder to one or two gallons of water. 



Kerosene Emulsion. — Kerosene 2 gallons ; or 2 pints ; pure dry soap 



' I lb. ; or I oz. ; soft water i gallon ; or i pint. Thoroughly dissolve the 



soap in boiling water and add it while boiling to the kerosene. Churn the 



mixture violently by means of a force pump or syringe until in 5 or 10 



minutes it forms a thick cream-like emulsion, which thickens into a jellv on 



