266 INJURIOUS AND BENEFICIAL INSECTS OF CALIFORNIA. 



Food Plants. — Alder and willow are the preferred hosts, but Cot- 

 tonwood and poplar are also attacked. 



Control.— Alder, poplar and willow trees are so often found around 

 houses and in parks that a few suggestions on control may be welcomed 

 by many who do not care to see the foliage ruined. The use of arsenate 

 of lead, 4 pounds to 50 gallons of water, applied with a woodland nozzle 

 will do much to stop the attacks of both the adult and larval forms. 



THE STEEL-BLUE GRAPEVINE FLEA-BEETLE 



Haltica carinata Germar 17 - 



(Fig. 258) 



Description. — The beetles are metallic bluish or purplish, with 

 antennas and legs black. The last ventral abdominal segment of the 

 males has a deep elongated depression, from 

 which is derived the specific name. The aver- 

 age length is slightly less than ^ inch. 



Life History. — The adults emerge from 

 hibernating quarters in the early spring and 

 begin feeding and laying their eggs upon the 

 vines. The eggs hatch into larvae which work 

 upon the leaves until fully matured, when they 

 drop to the ground and pupate beneath the 

 surface. The adults jump quickly or fly when 

 disturbed. 



Fig. 258.— Adults of what Nature of Work. — The larva- and adults 

 bhfe ' Krapev'nf to-bS fe ? d u P on the y?ung buds and leaves, the buds 

 Haitica carinata Germ., being often entirely devoured and the leaves 



taken by the author at Lake 11%. j 



Tahoe. Slightly enlarged. SKCieTOnized. 



(Original) Distribution. — This beetle is e o m m o n 



throughout the State, being most destructive to vineyards in the 

 southern part. 



Food Plants. — The grape appears to be a favorite host of this 

 species, but it also attacks various wild plants, 173 vegetables and elm. 



Control.— Remedies, if necessary, are the same as for the California 

 grape root-worm, Bromius obscurus (Linn.). Poisoned sprays are 

 especially recommended for the flea-beetle. 



THE STRAWBERRY FLEA-BEETLE 

 Haltica ignita Illiger 174 



Description.— The adults are oval-oblong, bright metallic golden or 

 bronze, with greenish or purplish iridescence. There is a large varia- 

 tion of colors within the species. The length is from -| to £ inch. The 

 eggs are subcylindrical, being narrowest at the base, pale yellowish 



1T -Dr. G. H. Horn reported this beetle from California, but Prof. H. C. Fall thinks 

 this an error, for he has never taken it in the State 



'"A small blue beetle, determined as this species by the late Charles Fuchs, was 

 found plentiful feeding upon a small pink-flowered plant (QSnothera sp?) growing 

 around the edges of Lake Tahoe in July, 1914. There was possibly some confusion 

 in making the determination. 



174 This species is very closely related to Haltica carinata Germ, if not the same. 

 Prof. H. C. Fall doubts very much the existence of either species in California. The 

 reports probably refer to closely allied native forms. 



