244 TOBACCO LEAP. 



the upper part of the body, except a portion of the wing 

 covers, which are black. The upper and lower parts of 

 the whole body, with the exception of the thorax, are 

 covered with a slight down, from whence it takes its 

 specific name of pubescens. These insects are from one- 

 sixteenth to one-tenth of an inch in length. This latter 

 species is especially fond of the young tobacco plant, 

 though it will feed upon young cotton, cabbage and 

 potato plants, and the tender leaves of all leguminous 

 plants. When disturbed, the flea beetle will leap from 



FIG. 69. 

 TOBACCO WORM OF THE SOUTH (PhlegetJiontius Carolina), 



reduced one-fourth. 



It differs from P. celeus mainly In not having so long a tongue, while Its "jug 

 handle " Is not so long or so arched as In P. celeus. 



the plant and hide itself among the clods and in the dry 

 dirt. Frequently the plants will be seen covered with 

 them and the depredations are made rapidly, a whole 

 seed bed being often destroyed within a few days. 



The only certain protection to the young plants 

 against this destructive insect is to cover the bed closely 

 with canvas as soon as the seed is sown, and close up all 

 openings between the canvas and the ground. Plants 

 in beds are also sprinkled with powdered lime moistened 

 with turpentine, or soot, wood ashes or fine road dust 

 may be used instead of lime. A decoction of tobacco 



