INSECTS INJURIOUS TO BEETS AND SPINACH 311 



shown in the illustration, together with the immature stages. 

 The ash-gray blister beetle (Macrobasis unicolor) is also a common 

 form, shown in Fig. 247. Three or four other forms are common 

 throughout the country, but are especially numerous in the West, 

 where grasshoppers are more abundant. The reason for this is 

 discussed, along with an outline of the life-history, in Chapter VII 

 under the heading of natural enemies of the grasshoppers. 



Remedies. However, when they swarm into the beet-fields, 

 potato- or garden-patches, one cannot afford to allow them to 

 consume one crop for the good they may do in saving another 

 from still another insect scourge. So be ready for them on 

 their first appearance; give the plants a thorough spraying with 

 1 pound of Paris green and 1 pound of lime to 125 gallons of water. 

 It may be well to spray with Bordeaux mixture, which will 

 prevent various fungous diseases, and with which Paris green 

 can be used much stronger without danger of burning the foliage; 

 or it may be applied dry by mixing with from ten to twenty 

 parts of flour or plaster, dusting it on in early morning, while the 

 dew is still on the plants. Arsenate of lead sprayed at the rate 

 of 3 pounds to 50 gallons, or used as a dust, will be equally effective, 

 will adhere to the foliage better, and will be less likely to burn 

 the foliage. 



The Beet or Spinach Leaf-miner * 



Frequently beet and spinach leaves will be found with tor- 

 tuous mines or large blotches which have been mined out by 

 small white maggots beneath the surface epidermis. This injury 

 is most commonly due to the maggot of a small fly shown in 

 Fig. 262. " The ground color is gray with the front of the head 

 silver white. The body, including the legs, is somewhat sparsely 

 covered with rather long stiff black hairs. When in action the 

 body is usually carried in a somewhat curved position, but when 

 extended measures nearly a quarter of an inch. The maggot 

 (f) is white, and so nearly transparent that the contents of the 

 abdomen can be seen through the posterior portion." 



Life History. " The flies, by close observation, may be seen 

 in flight just above the ground or hovering about their different 

 food plants. The eggs are placed on the lower surface of the 



* Pegomyia vicina Lintn. See Chittenden, I.e., from which the quotations 

 are taken. 



