5 
collated mainly from the records of this office, some of which 
are published more in detail by Tower. In 1877 the beetle ap- 
peared in- North Carolina and Tennessee. The following year it 
was reported to be completely overrunning portions of Canada, 
being found eastward in New Brunswick. In 1879 it was recorded 
from Manitoba. In 1880 its presence was observed in Texas. Since 
about 1882 complaints of injuries have been made in Nova Scotia; 
in 1885, at Savannah, Ga.; in 1888, at Jackson, Miss.; and in 
Smith County, Tex. In 1892 the species had become abundant in 
Alabama, and was noticed also in South Carolina. The following 
year its occurrence was observed by H. G. Hubbard at Fort Assinni- 
boine, Mont., which is evidently the most northern limit of its original 
habitat, as it was not found there on potato. In sueceeding years 
other localities were added in some of the States which have been 
mentioned, but little of positive interest adding to its known dis- 
tribution has been learned since 1893. It should be stated, however, 
that the species has been found at Jacksonville, Fla.; in southern 
Louisiana, and at San Antonio, Tex., but these extreme localities do 
not indicate permanent location. 
PRESENT DISTRIBUTION. 
The natural spread of the potato beetle southward increases from 
time to time, as evidenced by reports that reach this Department 
yearly. Undoubtedly, however, the extreme northern and southern 
territories which it invades do not become permanent habitats for the 
insect, the species dying out, mainly because of extremes of cold in 
the one case and of heat in the other, to be reintroduced in later years 
when conditions favor its multiplication and spread from other 
regions. 
It has been calculated that it increased its range from its original 
home to the Atlantic coast at an average annual rate of about 88 
miles. Its spread eastward was accomplished largely by flight, as 
the writer had occasion to observe when a resident of Cleveland in 
the early days of its invasion of northern Ohio. Great numbers of 
‘beetles were seen on bright days in spring and early summer, with 
outspread wings, being carried directly eastward by the winds. 
It has also been disseminated largely by railroads and by lake 
vessels, and has thus been able, through the direct agency of man, to 
cross the more barren plains bordering its native confines and the 
barriers made by large bodies of water. So it will be seen that the 
winds and waters and eastbound trains have all aided in its dis- 
semination eastward. Riley, from whose works the present account 
of the early distribution of the insect has been taken, observed the 
aL. ¢, pp. 36-39. 
[Cir: 87] 
