CLASSIFICATION AND DESCRIPTION OF COMMON INSECTS 307 



HH. Elytra with rows of stilT hairs. — 

 Epilrix. 

 GG. Thorax without a transverse impression 

 near base; elytral punctures confused. — 

 Systena. 

 FF. Antennae lo-jointed; hind tarsi inserted on the 

 outer side of tibiae above the apex; elytral punc- 

 tures in rows. — Psylliodes. 



Striped Cucumber Beetle (Diabrotica vittata Fab.). — (Consult 

 Cir. 31, Bur. of Ent., U. S. Dep. Agr., 1909.) A native pest, destructive 

 to squash, melon and cucumber, especially in early spring, both in adult 

 and larval stages. Well distributed. Known also as the " Melon-bug " 

 and ''Striped Bug" (Fig. 200). 



a. ' ^ h 



Fig. 200. — Striped cucumber beetle (Diabrotica vittata): a, beetle; b, larva; 

 c, pupa; d, egg; e, sculpture of same; a, b, c, much enlarged; d, more enlarged; e, 

 highly magnified. {After Chittenden.) 



Adult. — A yellow beetle ^^ inch long, with a black stripe on each 

 side of each wing-cover; head black; under surface mostly black. 

 Hibernates. 



Eggs. — One-fortieth inch long, lemon to orange in color, oval; laid 

 singly or in groups in the soil about the roots. Hatch in 9-10 days. 



Larva. — A slender white worm-like grub with head, thoracic and 

 anal plates dark brown; lives in the soil, feeding on or in the roots, and 

 matures in about a month. 



Pupa. — Formed in an earthen cell 2-3 inches below surface; 3^^ 

 inch long; whitish; duration 1-2 weeks. 



Life-history.— VvohdJCily two broods a year. The adults hibernate 

 under rubbish, etc., but appear again in April or May. They attack 



