250 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE, 



root iu all ilirectioDS, so that tlie vino dies ; and frequently the entire 

 jMjtuto io tunneled ; these burrows become tilled behind the larvae with 

 excrement. When alioiit to assume the pupa state, the insect forms an 

 o\'al cavity at the end of its burrow, where it undergoes its transforma- 

 tion. 



At the time of my visit to Manatee County, in February, only the per- 

 fect insects could be found. On the 17th of May, potatoes containing 

 eggs and beetles with a few pupae were received from Mr. Curry. In 

 our breeding-jars these underwent their entu^e transformation from egg 

 to imago in about thirty-one days, of which eight days were passed in 

 the i)upa state. From this it appears that during the present season 

 there have already been at least three generations, and it is impossible 

 to say how many more may appear. 



No remedy can be suggested until more is learned respecting the 

 habits of the insect, except to dig the potatoes as soon as they are found 

 to be infested, and feed those containing insects to cattle. The species 

 is widely distributed. Le Conte reports it from Cochin China, India, 

 Madagascarj Cuba, and Louisiana. I now add Florida. 



DKSCRIPTIV«. 



The eggs are hroadly oval and somewhat narrowed at the attached end; their great- 

 est diameter is about .65™™ (4^ inch); sniface is not polished, but shows slight granula- 

 tion, and a faint appearance of division into facets. In color they are yellowish 

 white. 



The full-grown larva is 6""" (.23 inch) long, quite stout, with the lateral edges 

 somewhat mamniillated. The general color is ^lure white, but the head is light brown, 

 and the mouth jiarts dark brown. No hairs are perceptible to the naked eye, but a 

 few delicate sparse bristles can be seen under the microscope. Each of the thoracic 

 segments is furnished \eutrally with a large broad tubercle, in place of a pair of legs; 

 the abdominal segments are smooth. 



The pux)a is at first of the same color as the larva, bnt gradually grows darker. It 

 resembles much in form the adult beetle. The legs are drawn up in such a way that 

 the knees extend oiit behind the thorax, those of the first pair being particularly 

 prominent. The wings and wing cases are narrow and short, and are brought around 

 to the ventral side of the body. The beak is folded down upon the breast. The anal 

 segment is fiirnishcd with two backward and outward curved horn-like projections. 

 On the top of the head are several small tubercles from each of which projects a slen- 

 der hair. 



Protection against the geape curctjlio. — The plan of IMr. Bate- 

 man, of Ohio, of inclosing grape clusters iu paper bags as a protection 

 against curculios and birds seems to be coming into great favor. The 

 method is simply to slip a bag of sufficient size over the bunch when the 

 grapes are one-third grown, and secure it by sticking a pin through the 

 folds at the neck. A slit should be made in the bottom of the bag to 

 allow the water to run out, which otherwise, in case of a storm, Avould 

 collect and either rot the grapes or burst the bag. Grape-growers who 

 have experimented with this preventive praise it in the highest terms. A 

 much greater perfection of the cluster is attained at a slight expense. 

 It is also stated that in addition to being kept free from birds and 

 insexits, the bunches thus inclosed are less liable to mildew than those 

 left in the open air. 



Fuller's rose beetle {Aramigiis fulleri, Horn). — This insect was 

 figured and described by Professor liiley in the report of this de- 

 partment for 1878. Durifig the past year a few additional facts have 

 tjeen learned respecting it. Specimens were received December 13, 

 through the editors of the Pacific Itural Press, from San Diego, Cai., 



