246 ROSE-BUG FEEDS ON ALL LEAVES. 



remark is repeated in both the editions of his treatise on injuri- 

 ous insects. This testimony in connection with the known 

 fondness of poultry for other species of insects most closely 

 related to these, led me to speak of fowls as one of the most 

 efficient means for restraining this insect from increasing, in a 

 communication to the Country Gentleman (vol. viii, p. 75). 

 But according to the observations of C. B. Meek, Esq. (Country 

 Gent. vol. viii, p. 106), fowls and birds will not touch these 

 insects. The fact related by Dr. Doy, however, fully confirms 

 the statements of Dr. Harris. The discordant testimony upon 

 this subject may be reconciled by supposing, what is probably 

 the fact, that fowls after having suffered a few times from feeding 

 upon these insects, will afterwards avoid them. 



This insect is a beetle which is known by the name of the 

 Rose-bug in different parts of our country. It has doubtless 

 received this name from the fact that it makes its appearance 

 towards the middle of June, about the time that the roses com- 

 mence flowering, and from the injury which it does them. 

 When these beetles are not excessively numerous it is chiefly 

 upon rose bushes that they are noticed, and they would appear to 

 be most fond of this and other vegetation pertaining to the same 

 natural order, including the apple, the plum and cherry. But 

 when we see the avidity with which they consume the foliage 

 of forest trees also, as well as garden vegetables, grain and grass, 

 we are left in doubt whether they really have any discrimination 

 in their taste. Elder, which from the earliest times has been 

 popularly esteemed as peculiarly repulsive to insects, and 

 sumach, they eat freely. Grape vines suffer severely whenever 

 these insects are numerous. They may frequently be met with 

 upon Indian corn. And they seem to be much attached to a 

 worthless weed which in many of our pastures usurps the place 

 of more valuable herbage, the ox-eye daisy {Chrysanthemum 

 hucanthimum). Fond as they are of the wild and the garden 

 rose, still there are some species of this shrub which it is reported 

 that they never molest — the cinnamon rose (R. cinnamomea) for 

 instance. And they devour with avidity the fruit as well as the 

 leaves and flowers of the plants which they visit. 



It is somewhat remarkable that whilst in many places all over 

 our country this beetle is excessively numerous, in other districts 



