68 BEAN CULTURE 



as the adult. The beetle where observed in New 

 Mexico makes its appearance from the latter part of 

 June to the middle of July; the new brood is to be 

 found in September and October. The winter is 

 passed in adult stage and only a single generation 

 has been observed in a year. Paris green is one of the 

 most useful insecticides for the destruction of this 

 species. However, great care must be taken in its 

 application since certain varieties of beans are likely 

 to be killed by the burning of the leaves. It should 

 be applied as an underspray at the first appearance 

 of the beetles. Kerosene emulsion applied as an un- 

 derspray gives still better results. Hand picking of 

 the beetles and their eggs at their first appearance is 

 a preventive measure practical only where grown in 

 small quantities. 



The Bean Leaf beetle (Cerotoma trifurcata) is an 

 insect of considerable importance in the gulf states 

 and of less consequence in parts of Maryland and 

 Virginia, (Fig. 17). The adult beetle eats large, round 

 holes in growing leaves of beans and cowpeas. It 

 measures from 1-7 to 1-5 of an inch in length and 

 is nearly twice as long as wide. It varies greatly in 

 color from pale yellowish or buff to dull greasy 

 red, with black markings. Sluggishness of the 

 beetles makes hand picking possible in small gar- 

 dens early in the season. Pyrethrum is said to be 

 useful in checking the depredations ; however, in a 

 commercial way spraying with one of the arsenicals 

 should be resorted to. The remedy should be applied 

 on the first appearance of the insects in order to stop 

 them at the outset. Chittenden mentions other in- 

 jurious beetles such as the banded flea-beetle (Systena 

 taeniata) ; the pale striped flea-beetle (Systena blanda) 



