LEAF-BEETLES. 



165 



TJIK RED-HEADED SYSTENA. 



(Sysfeiia frontalis Fall.). 



1'liis common flca-bectle has repeatedly caiiscil iniur_y to the 

 ijrape-vines bv eatini;' the green tissues on the np])er sides of the 

 leaves, which in consequence discolor and wither. Like the other 

 iiea-heetles it possesses enormous leaping; powers, and as it is 

 n.ther large and very agile, it is no easy matter to capture it. It 

 is about one-sixth of an inch long, with densely, but very finely 

 punctured thorax and wing-covers. The head is reddish-yellow 

 a!)Ove, especially in front and between the eyes ; the long feelers 

 are also reddish, with black basal joints; the tuiderside is brown- 

 ish-black. Equally common is ^S. hiidsoiiias Fab., which is en- 

 tirely black, with dark rusty-brown feelers and legs. 



Fig. 1G9. —Sjstena t.-tniuLa, Say. 

 After Forbe.s. 



Fig. \7o.—Pbyllotrvta xitLata. Fab.— 

 After Division of Entottiology, U. S. 

 Department of Agriculture. 



Another species of Systcna, illustrated in Fig. 169, is decid- 

 edly injurious to the young plants of the sugar-beets. It is called 

 the "pale-striped flea-beetle" (S. tacniata Say), and is here illus- 

 trated to show the shape of insects of this kind. 



Among the large numbers of injurious tlea-beetles at least one 

 other should be mentioned, as it is frequently received as being 

 very destructive to a numl)er of young plants, but chiefly to plants 

 belonging to the Criiciferac, as cabbage, radish, mustard, and oth- 



