CHERRY INSECTS 



1149 



and cherry orchards in the western and southwestern part of the 

 state, and in many cases caused considerable injury by riddling 

 the leaves. 



FIG. 374. RED CHERRY LEAF-BEETLE 

 (Drawing by 8. C. Bishop.) 



The beetle is about one-fifth inch in length and is brick-red in 

 color with black legs and antennae (Fig. 374). Although the larvae 

 have been found on the leaves of the cultivated cherry, most of the 

 young develop on the wild red cherry. The beetles deposit their 

 oval, pale-yellow eggs in June and July. The eggs hatch in ten 

 days or more, and the larvae skeletonize the leaves, only the larger 

 veins being left. The full-grown larva is about one-fifth inch, in 

 length and blackish in color. The new crop of beetles appears in 

 late summer, and, after feeding a short time on the leaves, they go 

 into hibernation, where they remain until the latter part of the 

 following May. There is only one generation annually. 



Control 



The red cherry leaf beetle may be poisoned by spraying the trees 

 u'lth arsenate of lead, 2 pounds in 50 gallons of water. The appli- 

 <-ation should be made at the first appearance of the beetles. 



