260 



INJURIOUS AND BENEFICIAL INSECTS OF CALIFORNIA. 



may be used to good advantage If attacks warrant the application of a 

 remedy. 



THE POTATO FLEA-BEETLE 



Epitrix cucumeria Harris 106 



(Fig. 252) 



Description. — The beetles are black with pale yellowish or reddish 

 legs and antenna'. They measure from Vu to ^ inch in length. When 

 disturbed they jump very quickly. The eggs are white, elongate, with 

 finely sculptured .surface and about 1-100 inch long. The larvse are 

 very small and slender, white, with light brown head and prothoracic 

 shield. r : V inch long, and the pupae are also white, becoming darker as 

 they reach maturity. The apex of the abdomen is bifurcate, the forks 

 being slender, sharp and incurved. The length is ^ inch. 



Fig. 252. — The Western flea-beetle, Hcmiglyptus basalts Cr. 

 Adults and their work on a turnip leaf. Enlarged three times. 

 (Original) 



Life History. — The adults hibernate under leaves, rubbish or in any 

 sheltered place and appear early in April and May. They begin at 

 once to feed upon such food plants as are growing at that time, often 

 completely defoliating them, and the females deposit their minute eggs 

 singly around the bases of the plants. The larvae begin to hatch in May 

 and June and live underground, feeding upon the roots and afterwards 

 transforming into pupa? and adults in the soil. The beetles of the 



"'"The Western flea-beetle, Hemiglyptus basalis Cr. is about the same size as this 

 ies and dark metallic green. It is common in the Sacramento and San Joaquin 

 id attacks various cruciferous plants including cabbage, mustard, radish and 

 turnip. The general appearance of the adults and their work is shown in Fig. 252. 



