GRAPE INSECTS 



321 



GRAPE-VINE FLEA-BEETLE (Graptodera chalybea). Beetle, of a 

 blue metallic color, about one-fourth inch long, feeding upon the 

 buds and tender shoots in early spring. 



Treatment. Arsenicals to kill the grubs on leaves during May 

 and June. The beetle can be caught by jarring on bright days. 

 GRAPE-VINE ROOT-BORER (Memythrus polistiformis) . Larva, one 

 and one-half inch or less long, working in the roots. 



Preventive. Thorough cultivation during June and July. 

 Treatment. Dig out the borers. 



GRAPE-VINE SPHINX (Ampelophaga myron). A large larva, two 

 inches long when mature, green with yellow spots and stripes, 

 bearing a horn at the posterior extremity, feeding upon the 

 leaves, and nipping off the young clusters of grapes ; two broods. 

 Treatment. Hand-picking. Arsenicals early in the season. 

 There are other large sphinx caterpillars which feed upon the 

 foliage of the vine and which are readily kept in check by hand- 

 picking and spraying. 



PHYLLOXERA (Phylloxera vastatrix). A minute insect preying 

 upon the roots, and in one form causing galls upon the leaves. 



Preventive. As a rule this insect is not destructive to American 

 species of vines. Grafting upon resistant stocks is the most re- 

 liable method of dealing with the insect yet known. This pre- 

 caution is taken to a large extent in European countries, as the 

 European vine is particularly subject to attack. 



Remedies. There is no reliable and widely practicable remedy 

 known. Burn affected leaves. Bisulphide of carbon poured 

 in holes in the ground, which are quickly filled, is very effective. 

 Carbolic acid and water used in the same way is also recommended. 

 Flood the vineyard. 



SNOWY CRICKET. See under RASPBERRY, p. 331. 

 LEAF-HOPPER ( Typhlocyba comes) . These small yellowish leaf- 

 hoppers, erroneously called " thrips," suck the sap from the under- 

 side of, the leaves, causing them to turn brown and dry up. 



Treatment. Spray the under side of the leaves very thoroughly 

 with whale-oil soap, 1 pound in 10 gallons of water, or with 

 "Black-leaf" tobacco extract, 1 gallon to 100 gallons' of water; or 

 1 gallon " Black-leaf 40 " in 1000 gallons of water about July 1, 

 to kill the young leaf-hoppers. When using tobacco extract add 



