INSECT ENEMIES OF THE GRAPE. 207 



by the various State Experiment Stations. All of these 

 sources of information on entomological subjects have, 

 with one or two exceptions, been introduced and estab- 

 lished since the first edition of this work appeared, 

 hence the less need of an elaborate dissertation on the 

 insect pests of the grape. 



Rose Chafer, or Rose Beetle (Macrodactylus 

 subspinosus). This beetle measures seven-twentieths of 

 an inch in length. Its body is slender, tapers before 

 and behind, and is entirely covered with very short and 

 close ashon-yellow down ; the thorax is long and narrow, 

 angularly widened in the middle of each side ; the legs 

 are slender, and of a pale red color ; the joints of the 

 feet are tipped with black, and very long. This is one 

 of the most common and destructive insects known to 

 infest the grape in this country. In some seasons it 

 makes its appearance in such vast numbers that it is 

 impossible to stay its ravages. It does not seem to be 

 at all fastidious in regard to its food, as it feeds indis- 

 criminately upon nearly all kinds of plants. It prefers, 

 however, the flowers of plants to their leaves, and it 

 usually makes its appearance in the spring, about the 

 time the grape comes into bloom. It eats the flower 

 with avidity, and when it appears in large numbers they 

 make short work of the entire crop. 



There are a number of remedies recommended for 

 the Rose Chafer, but I know of none better or more 

 effectual than that of catching them by hand and killing 

 them. They can be caught very rapidly by taking a 

 large cup, or basin, with a little water in it, and a tea- 

 spoonful of kerosene, and holding it under the insect ; 

 giving the cluster of flowers a slight jar, the beetles will 

 immediately let go their hold and fall into the dish. 

 When a quantity have been caught, throw them into the 

 fire or pour hot water upon them. I have followed this 

 simple plan for several years, and though I have not 



