298 INSECT PESTS OF FARM, GARDEN AND ORCHARD 



beetle (Epitrix parvulu) is not uncommonly found on the vines in 

 sections where tobacco is also grown, and other specie f s do similar 

 Injury in other sections. All of these species are, however, essen- 

 tially the same in habits and life history, and the same remedies 

 apply to all. Unfortunately, the complete life cycle of these little 

 insects has never been carefully determined, so that only a general 

 outline can be given. 



The potato flea-beetle * is the most destructive. It is only 

 one-sixteenth inch long, jet black, except the yellowish antenna; 

 and legs, and there is a deep groove across the base of the thorax 



FIG. 218. a, potato flea-beetle; b, egg-plant flea-beetle, both greatly 

 enlarged. (After Chittenden, U. S. Dept. Agr.) 



(Fig. 218, a). It seems to occur throughout the United States, 

 but is more commonly injurious in the North. Eggplant and 

 tobacco, as well as numerous garden vegetables are similarly 

 injured. This species has commonly been called the cucumber flea- 

 beetle from its specific name, but it is evidently a misnomer, as it 

 is much more abundant upon the potato and related plants. 



During the winter, the beetles hibernate under leaves, rubbish, 

 etc., and in the spring come forth and lay their eggs upon the 

 roots of some of our common weeds of the Nightshade family, 

 such as the horse-nettle, Jamestown-weed, Desmodium, etc., 

 in May and June. The larvae mine in the roots of these plants 

 and transform to pupae in small earthen cells among the roots, 

 * Epitrix cucumeris Harris. 



