314 



ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 



Flea Beetles 



(Consult Bulls. 19 and 33, U. S. Dept. Agr., Div. Ent.; 211 Maine: Circ. 2 



Div. Ent., Can.) 



Flea Beetles are minute beetles belonging to several genera of the 

 Chrysomelidae family. They are leaf-feeding insects, and are char- 

 acterized by the large femora of the hind legs, which enable them 

 to leap like fleas. 



The following species are the most injurious to cultivated plants: 

 Potato Flea Beetle {Epitrix cucumeris 

 Harris). — The adult often injures the leaves 

 of potato, tomato, cucumber, etc. (Fig. 203). 

 Adult. — A shinirfg black minute beetle, 

 j^fs inch long; antennae and legs reddish 

 yellow; hind femora pitch black; thorax 

 sparsely punctate; covered with short fuscous 

 hairs; emerges in April and May; again from 

 July-September. 



Eggs. — ^Laid on roots of food plant in June 

 and July. 



Larva. — A slender whitish grub feeding 

 on the tubers and roots, sometimes causing 

 pimply potatoes; 3 weeks. 



Pupa. — In small cells about the roots. 

 Life-history. — Adult beetles hibernate under rubbish, emerge in 

 spring to lay eggs and to attack the leaves. Probably two or more 

 broods. 



Control. — Keep leaves covered with Bordeaux; dust with Paris 

 green and land plaster (1-20) in early morning. 



The Western Potato Flea Beetle {E. suhscrinata) is quite injurious 

 in B. C. 



Turnip Flea Beetle (Phyllotreta vittata Fab.). — Also called the 

 "Turnip Fly," frequently injurious to the seed-leaves of turnips and 

 radish in June. Two or three broods a season (Fig. 204). 



Adult. — -An active shining black beetle, }{o inch long; each wing- 

 cover with a wavy yellow stripe; femora black; tibiae and tarsi brownish- 

 yellow; fifth joint of antennae broadened. 



Larva.^A slender white grub, ig inch long, feeding on the roots of 

 cruciferousj)lants. 



Fig. 203. — Potato flea 

 beetle; line at side indicates 

 natural size. (After Chit- 

 tenden, Bui. 19, N. S. Div. 

 of Ent., U. S. Dept. of 

 Agric.) 



