284 



IN. 1 1 KKIIS \NI) BENEFICIAL INSECTS OF CALIFORNIA; 



Life History.— The life history of this beetle docs not seem to have 

 been studied, and little is known about its habits, except that the adults 

 often appear in considerable numbers in the spring and do some dam- 

 age to the flowers and foliage of fruit trees. 



Fig. 277. — Fruit-tree leaf synetas. Beginning at the 

 left, Syneta albida Lee., female at top and male at bottom ; 

 Syneta simplex Lee., male at top and female at bottom ; 

 at right, Syneta simplex var.. female at top and male at 

 bottom. All enlarged three times. Specimens received 

 from Dr. E. C. Van Dyke. (Original) 



Nature of Work.— The beetles destroy the petals of the flowers and 

 eat the leaves, especially upon the tender shoots of grafts or young 

 trees. 



Distribution. — This species is occasionally met with in the northern 

 and central parts of the State. 



Food Plants.— Various fruit trees, including apple, cherry, peach 

 and prune, also poplar and willow, are attacked. 



Control. — An application of arsenate of lead. 3 pounds to 50 gallons 

 of water, should be made as soon as the beetles become destructive 

 enough to warrant control measures. 



THE PACIFIC BANDED FLEA-BEETLE 



Systena tceniata ligata Leconte 200 



(Fig. 278) 



Description. — The adults are small, averaging about -^ inch in 

 length, and are exceedingly variable in color. They are, however. 



sooprevious California records relating to Systena twniata Say probably refer to two 

 varieties -.Systena twniata lii/<it<i Leconte and Systena twniata ochracea Leconte. in 

 the last the head and thorax arc reddish-brown, the side margins pale and the entire 

 surface pale yellowish-white. This information was received from Dr. Van Dyke. 

 (Fig. 278) 



