FLEA-BEETLES 319 



these insects go into hibernation probably in conapany with 

 s.)me of the beetles of the previous generation. There are 

 probably two broods annually. 



This western potato flea-beetle may be controlled by the 

 measures suggested for its eastern relative. 



On the Pacific Coast potatoes are also attacked by another 

 flea-beetle, Glyptina cerina Leconte. 



Reference r- 



Ore. Agr. Col. Bull. 91, pp. 11-13. 1913. 



The Tobacco Flea-Beetle 



Epitrix parvula Fabricius 



This near relative of the potato flea-beetle ranges from IVIary- 

 land to Michigan, Colorado and Wyoming and southward to 

 Texas, Florida, Central America and the West Indies. It 

 also occurs in California and Hawaii. This flea-beetle is a 

 serious enemy of tobacco but also attacks potato, tomato, 

 eggplant, and among wild plants feeds on horse-nettle, ground 

 cherry -and Jimson weed. In California it has been known to 

 attack almond, orange and squash. In Hawaii it injures the 

 cape gooseberry. Its injuries to potato, tomato, and eggplant 

 are similar to those inflicted by the potato and eggplant flea- 

 beetles with which it is often associated. 



The tobacco flea-beetle is about A inch in length, yellowish 

 brown, usually with a darker band across the middle of the 

 wing-covers; the antennse and legs are also yellowish brown 

 except the femora, which are somewhat darker. The trans- 

 verse depression near the hind margin of the prothorax is only 

 faintly indicated (Fig. 198). The beetles emerge from hiberna- 

 tion in the spring and attack the plants as soon as they come up. 

 The eggs are probably deposited in the soil at the base of the 



