INJURIOUS AND BENEFICIAL INSECTS OF CALIFORNIA. 



281 



Control. — There have been numerous methods of control recom- 

 mended for this pest. The measures directed against the hibernating 

 beetles consist in killing all on the poles or burning up the rubbish. 

 In the spring the first step consists in capturing the adult beetles on 

 the young vines. A tarred board or hand hopper-dozer is used, on or 

 into which the beetles are shaken. Tanglefoot bands around the bases 

 of the tresseled vines, as well as around the poles, not only keep the 

 beetles from the foliage but capture great quantities of them. This is 

 recommended as the very best remedy for this pest by W. B. Parker, 100 

 who has had a large experience in the control of this pest. Various 

 contact sprays, such as tobacco extract, emulsions, soaps, resin wash 

 and arsenic, also have been used with good effect, but the cost, due 

 to great numbers of applications necessary, makes them almost pro- 

 hibitive. 



THE WESTERN CABBAGE FLEA-BEETLE 

 Phyllotreta pusilla Horn 



(Fig. 274) 



Description. — The beetles are exceedingly small, shiny black with 

 distinct bronze or greenish luster and very minute punctures on the 

 dorsum. 



Life History. — The adults hibernate and appear early in the spring. 

 The younger plants are preferred and are often completely destroyed. 

 The leaves of older plants also become seriously 

 infested. The damage appears to be done entirely 

 by the adults, as no injuries by the larva? are 

 recorded. 



Nature of Work.— The work is like that of most of 

 the flea-beetles and consists in destroying the young, 

 tender plants and eating holes in the leaves of the 

 large ones. Their attacks are often very serious. 



Distribution. — This species occurs throughout the 

 State, having been recorded from the southern part 

 by F. II. Chittenden 107 and collected in the central 

 part, around San Francisco Bay, by the writer. western cabbage 



Food Plants. — As the name implies, this beetle treta pusilla Horn 

 generally infests cabbage and related cruciferous ^vra ^y^nne 8 on 

 crops, including mustard, radish, rape and turnip, the right. (After 



, , -, i , i ... i j Chittenden. U.S. 



Corn and sugar beets are also attacked. Dept. Agric.) 



Control.— Control measures are the same as for the potato flea- 

 beetle, Epitrix cucumcris Harris. 



">»Bul. No. 82, pt. IV, Bur. Ent. U. S. Dept. Agric, 1910. 



107 Chittenden, F. H., Bui. No. 43, Bur. Ent. U. S. Dept. Agric, p. IS. L903. 



