260 INSECT PESTS OF FARM, GARDEN AND ORCHARD 



as described for grain insects (see page 187). The tubers should 

 be fumigated as soon as stored, and the treatment should be 

 repeated at intervals of two weeks, four or five fumigations 

 being recommended to free the potatoes entirely of all stages. 

 Obviously it will be important to sort over infested tubers and 

 remove all which are materially injured to prevent the increase 

 of rot in others. 



Colorado Potato-beetle * 



First and foremost among the enemies of the potato-grower 

 stands the Colorado potato-beetle the insect which in the early 

 seventies, on account of our ignorance of it, was made an entomo- 



FIQ. 222. The Colorado potato-beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say.): a, 

 eggs; 6, larva; c, pupa; d, beetle; e, elytra or wing-cover of beetle; 

 /, leg of beetle. (After Riley.) 



logical bugbear. But " there's no great loss without some small 

 gain," and we may be thankful that the invasion of this beetle 

 also brought about the use of Paris green, an insecticide which has 

 since saved millions upon millions of dollars to the American 

 farmer. Thus, with an effectual remedy which is now used where 

 this pest occurs as regularly as potatoes are planted, " familiarity 

 has bred contempt," and to-day we have but little fear of its 

 attack. 



* Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say. Family Chrysomelidce. See F. H. Chit- 

 tenden, Circular 87, Bureau of Entomology, U. S. Agr. Dept. 



