21 



In its life history it doubtless closeh' resembles the European 

 importation in feeding on both carrion and vegetation. Whether or 

 not the beetles also injure plants does not appear to be known. 

 Attack by the larva begins in the latter part of May, extending 

 through June, and probably into July in the more southern and 

 warmer range of the species/' 



REMEDIES. 



The remedies in use against the Colorado potato beetle are appliv 

 cable to these carrion beetles. Paris green, applied either dry or in 

 spray, as directed for leaf beetles, and clean culture are about all that 

 are necessary, but it is also advised in the treatment of the native 

 species that the weed Monolepis be sown in the vicinit}^ of spinach, 

 beets, and gourd crops subject to attack, to serve as a lure to draw 

 the insects from the crops. On the trap plants they can be more easily 

 destroyed, and by A'arious means. 



BLISTER BEETLES. 



Blister beetles are among the most conspicuous of all enemies of the 

 sugar beet, no less than a dozen species having been observed doing 

 more or less injury to this crop. One or more species are generally 

 found in beet fields, and, in fact, the arable regions of the United 

 States arc proba})ly never free from them. In the East four or five 

 species are common, and in the Southwest there are a few more 

 extremelv destructive species. Most blister beetles are better known 

 as potato pests, Imt next after potatoes beets appear to be the favorite 

 food of man}^ of them. After this they attack other vegetable crops, 

 some favoring beans, peas, and other legumes, while almost any of 

 them will attack whatever comes next in their line of march. They 

 are gregarious, congregating in great numbers, and some have the 

 truly migrator}' habit, feeding voraciously, running with great rapid- 

 it}^ and flying from time to time. Thus it happens that they fre- 

 quently descend in such numbers on a field that an entire crop is ruined 

 beyond recovery in a few days, when the insects disappear and are 

 perhaps seen no more until the following year. After the departure 

 of one species of blister beetle another frequentl}^ follows, to be 

 replaced by a third, and so on. 



Some species, though apparently very destructive, appear so late in 

 the season that, although beet plants are sometimes nearly defoliated, 

 a fair crop may ])c gathered in spite of the loss of the leaves, a new 

 growth of which is sometimes put forth. The roots, morever, are not 

 touched. 



« General -accounts of this insect have been pubUshed by Dr. .Tames Fletcher, 

 (kept. Ent. Can. Exp. Farms for 1893 [1894], pp. 20, 21; for 1897 [1898], page 

 198, etc.) 



