ATTACKING fHE LEAVES. 



283 



FIG. 292. 



nearly one-fifth of an inch long (see Fig. 291), of a pale- 

 yellowish color, with the body densely punctated, and with 

 elevated lines on the wing- FIQ 

 covers between the rows 

 of dots. It is found in 

 most of the Eastern and 

 Middle States, and de- 

 vours also the leaves of 

 the strawberry ; it appears 

 early in July and during August. 



The eggs are deposited either upon or in 

 close proximity to strawberry-plants, and 

 when hatched the young larvae burrow into 

 the earth and feed upon the roots of the 

 strawberry-vines, on which they may be found all through 

 the fall, winter, and spring months. It is a singular larva, 

 shown magnified in Fig. 292, and has on the under side 

 of each of the legless joints a pair of fleshy projections re- 

 minding one of legs, each tipped witli two or three stiff 

 hairs. Its body is yellowish or grayish white, witli a yel- 

 low head. The pupa is formed in the earth during the 

 month of June, the perfect insect maturing two or three 

 weeks afterwards. 



Remedies. The beetles may be collected by jarring them 

 from the vines on sheets early in the morning, and destroyed. 

 Ashes, soot, or lime applied to the strawberry- vines will in 

 most instances deter the beetles from depositing their eggs 

 on them, or will destroy the young larvae as soon as hatched. 



No. 154. The Red-headed Systena. 



Systena frontalis (Fabr.). 



This insect belongs also to the Ckrysomelidde, and, although 

 very generally distributed throughout the northern portions 

 of America, has not until of late been recorded as injurious. 

 During the summer of 1882, in some parts of the Province 

 of Ontario, it inflicted much injury on the vines by devour- 



