INSECTS INJLIRIOUS TO POTATO, ETC. 



215 



as well known as the beetles. They are soft, slimy, red-colored, 

 evil-looking creatures. 



The Colorado potato beetle was first associated with injury 

 to potato in 1865, prior to which time it had fed on the sand 

 bur.^ With the advance of civilization westward and the culti- 

 vation of potato in the vicinity of its native home, the insect 



Fig. 136.— Colorado potato beetle, aa, Eggs; bb, larvas; c, pupa; dd, beetles— all enlarged 

 about one-fourth; e, wing-cover— much enlarged. (After Riley) 



acquired the habit of feeding on this more succulent plant. By 

 1869 it had found its way to Ohio and the year following was 

 very destructive throughout the Northwest, continuing its 

 eastward march at an increasing rate. 



Since that time its migration eastward, northward and south- 

 ward has continued. Its progress eastward was accomplished 

 largely by flight, as the writer had occasion to observe when a 

 resident of Cleveland in the early days of its invasion of the 

 Buckeye State. With outspread wings numerous individuals 

 could be seen on bright days in spring and early summer, 

 being carried with the winds directly eastward. By the cen- 



* S. olanum rostratum. 



