282 INSECTS INJURIOUS TO THE GRAPE. 



No, 152. The Grape-vine Fidia. 



Fidia longipes (Mels.). 



This enemy to the grape-vine is a chestnut-brown beetle 

 (see Fig. 290), about a quarter of an inch long, with its body 

 densely covered with very short whitish hairs, which give it 

 a hoary appearance. It is first seen in June, and by the end 

 -p 9 Q of July has usually disappeared. Its mode of 

 operation is to cut straight, elongated holes 

 about one-eighth of an inch in diameter in the 

 leaves, and when the insects are numerous these 

 are so thickly perforated as to be reduced to 

 mere shreds. This is said to be one of the 

 worst foes the grape-grower has to contend with 

 in Missouri and Kentucky, where at times it literally swarms, 

 and then almost entirely destroys the foliage of large vine- 

 yards. It is a native insect, found in the woods feeding on 

 the wild grape, also on the red-bud, Cercis Canadensis ; of 

 the vines in cultivation it is said to prefer the Concord and 

 Norton's Virginia. Upon the slightest disturbance, or when 

 danger threatens, it has the habit of doubling up its legs and 

 falling to the ground, where for a time it remains motionless, 

 feigning death in the same manner as the plum curculio. 

 Advantage may be taken of this habit, and the insects col- 

 lected by placing sheets under the vines and jarring them 

 with the hand. The grape-vine Fidia belongs to the great 

 family Chrysomelidse, which includes the grape-vine flea- 

 beetle, the potato-beetle, and many other injurious species. 

 Of the early stages of this insect nothing is yet known. 



No. 153. The Grape-vine Colaspis. 



Colaspis brunnea Fabr. 



This beetle also belongs to the Chrysomelidse, and injures 

 the vine leaves in a manner similar to that of the species last 

 described, riddling them with small round holes, interspersed 

 with larger irregular ones, in a wholesale manner. It is 



