Flea-beetles Banded Flea-beetle 



Irrigation 



The beetles dislike damp ground. Advantage can be taken of this 

 fact, especially in dry years. If the beets are irrigated the insects will 

 usually leave the field. The irrigation will stimulate the young beets so 

 that they will outgrow the damage more quickly and completely. In 

 case irrigation is resorted to great care should be exercised to prevent 

 flooding the field as flooding young beets is injurious to them. 



Poison 



In cases where the use of poison is advisable Paris green mixed as 

 recommended in the control of the alkali-bug (page 89) should be used. 

 If the area to be treated is not too large, Paris green applied dry, mixed 

 with ten parts of low grade flour, will give very satisfactory results, 

 especially if the plants are small. 



According to Dr. Chittenden,* Paris green mixed with Bordeaux 

 mixture gives better results than the Paris green and water spray. As a 

 rule spraying the upper surface is sufficient, but for some species attack- 

 ing truck crops the under surface must also be sprayed. 



(c-1) BANDED FLEA-BEETLE 



(Fig. 2, Plate IV, Page 17) 



About the time early beets are ready to block and thin, swarms of 

 banded flea-beetles (Fig. 2, Plate IV, Page 17) often appear in the fields. 

 Seldom is the whole field affected at one time, however. The beetles 

 being very active, the same swarm may appear in several places in a field 

 within a short time, thus causing considerable damage. Poverty-weed 

 is a favorite food plant of this beetle. Damage to beets is most apt to 

 occur in fields where this weed is growing. 



DESCRIPTION 

 The Egg 



Dr. Chittenden, in the bulletin already referred to,* states that the 

 eggs are laid in June and July. They are about one-fourteenth of an inch 

 long, elliptical in form and of a light buff -yellow color. 



The Larva 



The larva is a slender, whitish grub. The body is narrowest at the 

 head, gradually widening toward the opposite end. The extreme tip of 

 the body tapers abruptly, ending in a prolonged process which bears 

 several stiff hairs. In this stage the flea-beetles feed upon the roots of 

 some crops and weeds. 



The Adult 



The adult beetle (Fig. 2, Plate IV, Page 17) is slightly more than one- 

 eighth of an inch in length. The color is somewhat variable. A char- 

 acteristic marking is the yellow stripe on each wing cover. The figure 

 represents one of the darker colored individuals. 



*Dr. F. H. Chittenden, "A Brief Account of the Principal Insect Enemies of the Sugar Beet,** Bulle- 

 tin No. 43. Division of Entomology, U. S. Department »f Agriculture (1903). 



92 



