12 



This beetle (fig. 3) is smaller than the preceding, measuring only 

 about one-sixth inch in length; is pale yellowish brown in color and 

 moderately variable, some individuals being plain, while others are 

 marked with black spots arranged in nearly regular series. 



It is a Western species, but ranges as far eastward as the Dakotas, 



and is found in Montana, Utah, Colorado, 

 Kansas, Arizona, and the Pacific States. 

 There is no record of injury by the larva, 

 but there is little doubt that it also afi'ects 

 this plant, and in much the same manner 

 as does that of the larger sugar-beet leaf ■ 

 beetle. Injury has been noticed in Oregon 

 toward the end of August, continuing for 

 six or eight weeks. 



THE SOUTHERN CORN ROOT-WORM. 



Fig. 3. — Monoxia consptita: beetle, 

 8 times natural size; antenna at 

 left highly magnified (original, 

 Division of Entomology). 



{Diahrotica 12-punctata 01.) 



As this species is jjresent everywhere in 

 beet fields the 3'ear round, it is familiar to 

 most beet growers. The adult is best known 

 in the North as the twelve-spotted cucumber beetle, from its partiality 

 for flowers of cucumber and related plants. In the South the young or 

 larva is called the '" bud worm" from its pernicious habit of burrow- 

 ing into and eating young cornstalks soon after the germinating period. 



The beetle (fig. 4) 

 measures nearly one- 

 fourth of an inch in 

 length, is yellowish- 

 green in color, and the 

 elytra or wing-covers 

 are marked with twelve 

 black spots. 



This beetle is practi- 

 cally omnivorous, feed- 

 ing upon almost any 

 form of vegetation 

 upon which it happens 

 to alight. Although 

 very fond of flowers, 

 it is liable to attack 

 any portion of a plant, 

 finding food on the 

 foliage and other portions of most garden and many field crops, the 

 flowers and leaves of fruit trees, and the bloom of many ornamental 

 plants. The larva develops on the roots of grasses, as well as corn, 

 and even on beans and some other plants. The beetles have been 



Fig. 4. — DiabroHca 12-punctaia: a, beetle; b, egg: c, larva; d, anal 

 segment of larva; c, work of larva at base of cornstalk; /, pupa — 

 all much enlarged except e. which is reduced (reengraved after 

 Riley, except/ [original]^ Division of Entomology). 



