FLEA-BEETLES 315 



carolinese), common nightshade, ground cherry (PhysaHs), 

 Jimson weed and sunflower. It has also been recorded as 

 injuring young corn plants. The beetles feed on both the 

 upper and under surface of the leaves, eating out small round 

 holes through the epidermis and parenchyma but usually 

 leaving the epidermis on the opposite side intact. This soon 

 dies and breaks away, leaving the foliage riddled wdth small 

 holes. Badly injured leaves first turn yellow, then brown, 

 curl up and die (Fig. 195). 



The potato flea-beetle is one of the smallest species of the 

 group. It is from re to tV inch in length, black, with the 

 antennae and legs brownish yellow. The 

 hind femora and part of the middle and 

 front femora are black. The prothorax 

 has a deep transverse depression near the 

 hind margin (Fig. 196). The posterior 

 femora are greatly enlarged, giving the 

 insect the power to jump a considerable 

 distance. The beetles pass the winter in 

 sheltered places under rubbish and are 

 found in the spring on plantain and other ^'fle,I?beeTieTx %''^'' 

 weeds as well as on the foliage of apple, 

 wild cherry and maple. As soon as their cultivated food 

 plants come up or are transplanted into the field, they are 

 subject to attack. Tobacco and cabbage plants may be 

 seriously injured in the seed-bed. On Long Island the 

 beetles begin egg-laying the early part of June and in . ]\Iaine 

 the latter part of the month. The egg is about yfe inch in 

 length, elongate ellipsoidal and white in color. The eggs 

 are deposited in the soil around the plants. At this time the 

 beetles are sometimes found four or five inches in the ground 

 but whether they enter the soil for egg-laying is not known. 

 The larvse feed on the roots, tubers and underground stems of 

 the plant and are sometimes found on the piece of potato used 



