242 



INJURIOUS AND BENEFICIAL INSECTS OP CALIFORNIA. 



As early as 1893 14T it was known to do considerable damage to the 

 buds and leaves of grapevines. Occasionally large areas of vine- 

 yards are completely 

 stripped. During the 

 last two years consid- 

 erable damage has 

 been done in the San 

 Joaquin Valley. It 

 also feeds upon 

 greasewood. 148 



Control. — The 

 larval and pupal 

 forms are found in 

 the soil, probably in 

 unplowed pastures 

 and places around 

 fences, ditches, etc. 

 Thorough cultivation 

 of these places may 

 not only kill the 

 young then present, 

 but will keep the 

 adults from laying 

 eggs there. Poison 

 sprays applied when 

 the beetles begin to 

 appear in consider- 

 able numbers and re- 

 peated every week 

 will aid materially in 

 saving the buds and 

 foliage. Jarring the 

 beetles into a suitable receptacle containing oil may also prove effec- 

 tive, especially if only small areas are badly infested. 



Fig. 231. — The grapevine Hoplia, Hoplia callipyge Lee. 

 Adults feeding on a rose. Slightly enlarged. (Original) 



THE BEAUTIFUL HOPLIA 



Hoplia dispar Leconte 



Description. — The adults are exceedingly pretty, because of their 

 bright colored scales. The ground color is black, but the entire dorsum 

 or only portions thereof may be covered with brown, yellowish brown, 

 orange yellow and olive or pale green scales. If the scales are rubbed 

 off the black ground color shows through. The ventral surface is 

 covered with iridescent silvery scales. The hair on the dorsum is short 

 and sparse. The length varies from | inch for the males to nearly ^ 

 inch for the females. 



Life History.— The life history is practically the same as that of 

 Hoplia callipyge Lee. 



Nature of Work. — The adults eat holes in foliage and blossoms of 

 the food plants. 



'"Insect Life, V, pp. 343-344, 1893. 



""Kill. If. C, Proc. Cal. Acid. Sei., VTIT, p. 139, 1901. 



