115 



The black-striped blister beetle {Maci'ohasis atrivittata Lee). — 

 August 6, 1902, Mr. J. M. Johnson, Cottage Grove, Ind., reported 

 injury by this species to tomato and cucumber in that \dcinity. We 

 have an earlier note on its occurrence in Texas on various plants 

 (Insect Life, Vol. IV, p. 395), but with no specific mention of the par- 

 ticular plants affected. 



The immaculate blister beetle {Macrohasis immaculata Say). — 

 During June and July, 1902, Mr. W. K. Winterhalter, Rockyford, 

 Colo., reported the occurrence of this species quite frequently during 

 the year on potato, tomato, and sugar })eet. July 7 it was increasing 

 in alarming numbers, and was rapidly doing away with the potato 

 crop. He had tried without success in every possible way to drive 

 the beetles from the fields in which they were present by thousands. 

 They also occurred in practically every beet patch in the valley, and 

 while they did not destro}^ the beets, owing to the rapid growth of 

 the plants, they were stripping them badly. A spra}^ of one pound 

 of Paris green and the same of lime to 15 gallons of water was tried 

 without success. 



This species has not hitherto been recorded as a beet insect. In 

 fact, little or nothing appears to have been published in regard to its 

 food habits. We have, however, an earlier record of injury, received 

 July 17, 1897, when it was reported to be destroying beets as well as 

 cabbage and tomato in the vicinity of Coats, Pratt County, Kans. 



The three-lined blister beetle {Epicauta lenmiscata Fab.). — Mr. 

 P. J. Schuur, Miami, Fla., writing of this species October 11, 1902, 

 stated that it attacked beets, tomato, eggplant, turnip, cabbage, potato, 

 sweet potato, and cowpea, and that it rejected onions and celery after 

 tasting them. Another plant, okra, was not eaten, because the leaves 

 were too high for the beetles to readily reach. Low plants were pre- 

 ferred, the beetles usually remaining in the shade during the heat of 

 the day. Beet tops were the favorite food and preferred to other 

 vegetables. A number of the food plants above mentioned have not 

 been recorded for this species. 



It seemed impossible to drive the blister beetles, but our corre- 

 spondent got rid of them by means of boiling water. Another corre- 

 spondent, in Texas, reported success with hot water as a remedy for 

 the same species in 1892. Several " millions" noticed on cut pea vines 

 disappeared overnight while preparations were being made for their 

 destruction. 



The lean blister beetle {Epicauta strigosa Gyll.). — June 21, 

 1902, Mr. C. W. Steele, editor Florida Agriculturist, Switzerland, 

 Fla. , wrote that this species was very destructive to ornamental Hibis- 

 cus by eating the blossoms, beginning first upon the anthers and 

 pollen, and then destroying the entire substance of the petals. As 

 man}'^ as a dozen beetles could be picked from a single flower. They 

 were also destroying blossoms of Zephyranthes and Cooperia. 



