U. S. D. A., B. E. P.ul. (IS, Part VIII. D. V. I. I., laiuiiiiy 20, 1909. 



PAPERS ON DECIDUOUS FRUIT INSECTS AND INSECTICIDES. 



THE GRAPE-LEAF SKELETONIZER. 



(harrisaiHi tniicriciuiii (iiu'Tiii-MC'iU'ville. ) 



By P. R. JONKS, 

 Engaged in DcciiJuous Fruit Insect Investigations. 



INTRODUCTION. 



For the last sixtj' 3'car.s or more tlie .species known as Ilarrisana 

 americana has been brought to the attention of entomolofjists and 

 vineyardists by the characteristic feedina' of the ycHowish, black- 

 spotted larvai in soldierlike rows upon the foliage of the grape. As 

 this is the only Lepidopterous insect that feeds in a gregarious man- 

 ner upon grape foliage it will be easily recognized. Although it has 

 been known for a number of years, many points have been lacking 

 in the knowledge of its life hi.story and habits, and it is hoped that 

 the following pages will present some facts tliat hitherto have not 

 been mentioned, as well as give a summary of what has been learned 

 about the insect up to the present time. 



HISTORY. 



There is considerable doubt as to where this insect was first figured 

 and described. In G. Henderson's edition of the Animal Kingdom 

 it is figured by Baron Cuvier (1837) under the name Agloape anieri- 

 cana BoLsduval, but no description is given. A description and 

 figure are published by Guerin-Meneville, the insect being listed as 

 Affloape americana Boisduval. The dates of issue in the latter case 

 (1829-1838) are evidently erroneous, as there are in the volume fre- 

 quent references to articles published in 1840, 1841, and some as late 

 as 1843: the volume was. therefore, probably not issued before 1844 

 or 184.5. Harris, in 1839, described the species as Procrh amencana 

 and figured its various stages. This appears to be the first published 



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