30 SOME INSECTS INJURIOUS TO TRUCK CROPS. 
Individuals that were kept in a vial with the leaves of this plant fed 
freely for two weeks, whereupon one deposited eggs. A mass of 23 
egos was obtained, laid irregularly, some in rows of three or four with 
similar rows overlapping. When first noticed, the eggs were about to 
hatch and were blood-red—an unusual color for the eggs of Chryso- 
melide. They differ from those of the closely related D. xanthome- 
lena, or spinach flea-beetle, chiefly by their sanguineous color, but 
agree, as far as could be easily seen, in all other important particulars. 
The larvee, as well as the adults, feed on portulaca. Apparently 
the larva does not differ to any noticeable extent from that of xantho- 
melena save in color and in possessing less prominent tubercles. The 
general color is rather dull yellowish-red with no apparent striation. 
The size is also a little smaller. 
September 20, 1906, Mr. F. W. Reeding sent beetles of this species 
from Wichita Falls, Tex., with the report that they occurred in beet 
fields. 
No further observations were made on this species until November 
5, 1907, when the writer observed it on chickweed (Alsine [Stellaria] 
media), one of the favorite food plants of zanthomelena. Several 
other beetles were observed in the same location and these fed upon 
chickweed when provided with it. In April, 1909, this species was 
taken under boards placed over chickweed and when confined fed 
more freely than did the lot found in November, presumably because 
the latter had begun hibernation. The following year, May 30, Mr. 
MeMillan observed the beetles feeding on portulaca at Brownsville, 
Tex., showing, in the writer’s opinion, and as he had previously sur- 
mised, that this is a favorite natural food plant. 
DESCRIPTION AND DISTRIBUTION. 
This species was given the specific name which it now bears by 
Say, in 1835.¢ Later it was redescribed by Le Conte as semicarbon- 
ata.’ Of the eighteen species of this genus, mellicollis differs from all 
others, except collata Fab.,in having entirely yellow femora or thighs. 
It is smaller than either zanthomelena or collata. 'The color varies. 
In fresh specimens the legs and thorax are reddish, but in older speci- 
mens they are much paler and the thorax varies from metallic green 
to dark blue. The species was redescribed by Horn in 1889.° 
This species is as widely distributed as the average Halticine, but 
it was not until rather recent years generally recognized by collectors 
as distinct from zanthomelena. It is recorded by Dr. G. H. Horn 
a Altica mellicollis, Bost. Journ. Nat. Hist., p. 199; Complete Writings (LeConte Ed.), 
Vol. II, p. 668, 1859, 
b Haltica semicarbonata, Col. Kans. & E. New Mex., p. 25, 1859. 
¢ Trans. Am. Ent. Soc., Vol. XVI, pp. 211-212, 1889. 
