BLISTER-BEETLES 



311 



less 



The large black blister-beetle, Lytta insperata Horn (Fig. 193). 



In southern California sugar-beets are sometimes seriously 



injured by this shining black blister- 

 beetle, about f inch in length. The 



dorsal surface often has a rich, bluish 



metallic luster and there is a small red 



spot on the middle of the face just 



above the eyes. 



The panther blister-beetle, F.picauta 



pardaUs LecDute (Fig. 194), is a little 

 than i inch in length, light silvery 

 gray and covered 

 with numerous 

 c )nflucnt black 

 spots on which the 

 l)ubescence is lack- 

 ing. It has been reported as a serious 

 pest of potatoes in Arizona, where it 

 appears in the fields about the first of 

 July. 



The crow blister-beetle, Epicauta cor- 

 vina Leconte, is large and black, 

 nearly an inch in length. It has been 

 reported as injurious to potatoes in 

 Arizona. 



Fig. 193. — The large 

 black blister-beetle (X 2). 



— The pan- 

 blister-beetle 



Means of Controllinc Blister-Beetles 



Blister-beetles are difficult to control because they are in- 

 jurious in the adult stage. They fly readily from one plant 

 to another and are not easily poisoned with arsenicals. In 

 the garden, screening choice plants with mosquito netting and 

 hand-picking the beetles into pans containing a little kerosene 

 are practical methods of preventing injury. On potatoes and 



