82 SOME INSECTS INJURIOUS TO TRUCK CROPS. 
check rows, the entire patch was sprayed by the writer with arse- 
nate of lead at the rate of 10 pounds to 100 gallons of water. This 
rather excessive strength of arsenate was used in order to determine 
its effect on the foliage, which was very tender. At the time of 
spraying the beetles were in great abundance, from one to six indi- 
viduals being present on every plant. The results of this treatment 
were checked up February 11. At that date the sprayed plants 
were almost entirely free from beetles, only an occasional specimen 
being seen on the under side of the leaves. The defoliation of the 
plant was almost completely checked, and there was no burning 
from the arsenate. The plants in the check rows were almost com- 
pletely defoliated. The beetles, however, were not nearly so numer- 
ous as they were on February 8 when the other plants were sprayed. 
This decrease in numbers was probably due to the fact that many 
beetles were killed by eating the poisoned plants in the adjoining 
rows. Unfortunately, a few days later the entire patch of beans was 
destroyed by a “‘norther”’ and no further observations could be made. 
On March 20 this species, in company with Diabrotica vittata, was 
injuring voung cucurbits at Brownsville. Mr. H. H. Jobson had 
these plants sprayed with a combination of Bordeaux mixture and 
arsenate of lead (6 pounds arsenate of lead to 100 gallons of Bordeaux 
mixture) and later he reported good results from the treatment. 
OBSERVATIONS ON DIABROTICA VITTATA Fab. 
Next in order of importance, from an economic standpoint, is the 
striped cucumber beetle (Diabrotica vittata Fab.). This species is | 
usually rare in southern Texas as compared with D. balteata and its 
injuries are confined to cucurbits. 
The first occurrence of this species in southern Texas recorded is 
for January 26, when adults were found in squash blossoms at Browns- 
ville. Occasional adults were observed during February, and on 
March 6 complaint was received from a grower near Brownsville, 
where the beetles were injuring cucumbers and melons, from one to 
five beetles being present on many plants. At this date, also, a 
similar report was received from Mercedes, Tex. 
Mr. A. M. White, of Mercedes, later reported that he completely 
controlled this species, which was seriously injuring cucurbits, by 
spraying three times with arsenate of lead at the rate of 6 pounds in 
100 gallons of water. 
The beetles were causing noticeable injury to cucurbits at Browns- 
ville March 20. The plants were sprayed, under the direction of Mr. 
H. H. Jobson, with a combination of 6 pounds arsenate of lead and 
100 gallons Bordeaux mixture with successful results. 
April 13, the writer found larve in numbers infesting squash plants 
at McAllen, Tex. Some plants were wilting and many of the roots 
