36 
were very numerous. The beetles went down under the surface of the 
earth and completely shredded the cornstalk between the surface and 
the roots. They were described as playing havoc with stands of 
corn in that region. September 19, of the same year, Mr. B. M. 
Vaughn, Grand Rapids, Wis., sent specimens of the beetle working in 
‘arrot tops and in tubers of dahlia. 
During 1899, Mr. J. P. Baker, Moody, Drew County, Ark., sent 
specimens of bevels. June 3, reporting that they were cutting late 
plantings of small corn and cotton, as many as 7 or 8 being found on 
a single plant. Older growth of these crops seemed exempt from 
Stara evidently owing to their firmer, more woody texture. August 
28, Dr. W. H. Ridge, Trevose, Pa., sent specimens of the beetle, 
stating that they had been destroying great quantities of carrots by- 
boring down and eating the roots off, ibavine the ground full of holes. 
SUMMARY OF FOOD AND OTHER HABITS. 
Our knowledge of the life economy of the carrot beetle is still incom- 
plete. It would appear that in many respects it closely resembles the 
brown fruit-chafer (uphoria nda Linn.), which has been treated in 
Bulletin No. 19 (n. s.), pages 67-74. Larval injury has been noted, 
but there is little doubt that the grubs feed also on humus, manure, and 
decomposing roots and tap roots of herbaceous plants. The writer has 
observed larvee feeding in earth where there was no opportunity for 
plant attack. Most cases of reported injury have been due to the oper- 
ations of the beetles, and damage is more pronounced on young plants 
than on older growth, the latter appearing, in some cases at least, to 
be exempt from attack, owing to their firmer and more woody texture. 
Injury may be accomplished both by hibernated individuals in the 
spring from April to June, according to locality, and by recently 
transformed specimens in late summer and in autumn. 
Like the fruit-chafer again, the species is with little doubt single- 
brooded. Eggs have been observed by the writer June 8 from which 
larve hatched ten days later. Pupation takes place in an oval cavity 
in the earth, formed by the rolling and twisting of the grub within, 
as in the case of allied insects; and the observed pupal period is about 
fourteen or fifteen days in the warm weather of late June and early 
July. As these observations were made on material received from 
Texas, it seems probable that farther north, as, for example, along the 
coast of New Jersey and Long Island, pupation taking place at a later 
period requires a longer time. Hibernation, without much doubt, 
occurs in the adult condition. The favorite food of the beetle is evi- 
dently carrot, and after this corn in the Southern States; elsewhere 
parsnip and celery appear to be chosen. Sweet potato and Irish potato 
are subject to much damage. Sunflower and dahlia are to be included 
as food plants, and sugar beet is sometimes injured, as is also cotton. 
