INSECTS INJURIOUS TO THE PLUM. 



THE SMALL BRONZE FLEA-BEETLE. 



( Haltica Iielxines. Linn. ) 

 Order of COLEOPTERA. Family of Chktsomelid.e. 



These pretty, little beetles are found upon several kinds of fruit trees, 

 early in the spring, eating roundish holes through the leaves, and some- 

 times destroying the petals or flower leaves. 



They are only the tenth of an inch in length, and are of a coppery- 

 brown or bronze color. In the Walsh Cabinet were specimens re- 

 ferred to this species, of a beautiful metallic green. Like others of 

 their genus, they have very stout hind thighs which enable them to 

 skip out of sight, when disturbed. From their appearance so early in 

 the season, it is evident that like many other of the leaf-beetles, they 

 hibernate in the perfect state. 



They are seen upon the plum, the apple and the pear, and they seem 

 to be partial to the tender foliage of the suckers which spring up 

 around the base of the trunk. I have seen the foliage and the blos- 

 soms of the plum tree, in particular, so riddled by these insects as to 

 attract notice from a distance, and to a sufficient extent to entitle this 

 species to a place on the list of what may be called the minor noxious 

 insects. My attention was first attracted to them in the latter part of 

 April. On the 6th of May they were seen pairing, and before the 

 middle of the month they had mostly disappeared, having, no doubt, 

 laid their eggs and perished, as is the general course of insects after hav- 

 ing provided for a future generation. I examined the infested trees 

 several times in the course of the season, but failed to discover either 

 the eggs or the larvse of the insects. Should these insects become 

 troublesome, they would have to be treated upon general principles ; 

 that is, the application to the tree of some of those substances which 

 are known to be obnoxious to insects but harmless to vegetation, such 

 as lime and whale-oil soap. 

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