1838. HOUSE— No. 72. 101 



waged with these insects, that I have had no opportunity of learning 

 their history or metamorphosis. The eggs and larvae, although fre- 

 quently sought for, have escaped my researches. But the habits are 

 presumed to be similar to those of G. puncticollis, which is found in 

 profusion on the common Salsola. The larvae of this species live in 

 the earth, and feed on the roots of the Salsola, and do not leave the 

 earth until they become perfect insects. 



In the genus Haltica, the antennae are about half the length of the 

 body ; the posterior thighs are thickened and very robust, being 

 formed for leaping ; the nails are very much curved at their points, 

 with a strong blunt tooth extending from beneath the base to the mid- 

 dle ; the body is oval and convex. These insects infest the olera- 

 ceous plants, perforating their leaves with innumerable small holes. 

 At the approach of the finger they leap with surprising agility. 

 Many of them are minute. 



Their eggs are deposited on plants on which the larvae are destin- 

 ed to feed. The larvas are elongated and furnished with six feet. 

 When about to become pupae they fix themselves upon the leaves 

 by means of a tubercle at the posterior extremity. The larva-skin 

 is then thrown off, and remains in a mass beneath the tail of the pu- 

 pa ; and in about fifteen or twenty days more the last metamorphosis 

 takes place, and the perfect insect makes its appearance. It con- 

 ceals itself during the winter in some secure place, and survives the 

 cold. 



The most destructive species in this vicinity is that which attacks 

 the cucumber as soon as it comes from the ground. Supposing this 

 to be an undescribed insect, I formerly named it Haltica cucumeris ; 

 but Mr. Say subsequently informed me that it was the pubescens of 

 Illiger. 



Another species, Haltica striolata, is found on cruciferous plants, 

 such as the cress, the horse-radish, the mustard, turnip, &c. It is 

 first seen early in May. During the night, and in rainy weather, it 

 lodges itself in the ground. It is very pernicious to young plants, 

 attacking them as soon as the seed-leaves or cotyledons expand. 



Dusting the plants with air-slacked lime, is useful in preventing 

 the attacks of this and the preceding species. Watering plants, in- 

 fested by them, with strong alkaline solutions, will kill the insects 



