LARGE BEETLES EATING THE LEAVES 145 



gray in color. It is oftenest found on legumes, and sometimes on 

 potatoes. 



The Gray Blister-beetle (Epicauta cinerca Fors.) is of the same 

 general type. 



Nuttall's Blister-beetle (Cantharis nuttalli Say) is a handsome, shin- 

 ing, deep blue in color and the largest species of the group. It ranges 

 through the Western states, and is espe- 

 cially destructive on beans and other 

 legumes. 



The Black BHster-beetle {Epicauta 

 pennsylvanica DeG.) is often destructive 

 to potato \ines. It is a shining black 

 in color. 



The Buttercup Oil Beetle {Meloe an- Fig. 143. -The Buttercup OU 

 .. „. ox- ... - 1 • r Beetle. OriKUial. 



gusticoUis bay) is mjurious for brier 



periods. It is .a deep, sliining, blue black in color, and has shortened 

 wing covers. Often the abdomen is greatly enlarged. 



Blister-beetles may be poisoned by prompt and thorough applica- 

 tions of Paris green or arsenate of lead, but they are apt to appear 

 suddenly, and to do much damage before noticed. In field crops the 

 beetles sometimes are driven away bj^ a hue of people armed with 

 brush mo\'ing slowly across the field. 



The Colorado Potato-beetle {Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say) 



Potato-beetles or " bugs " need little descriiition. For many years 

 they have been omnipresent, and all who have raised potatoes or 

 seen them growing will readily recognize the heavj^-bodicd beetle, 

 three eighths of an inch long, with its yellow or orange wing covers 

 marked with 10 black lines. (See frontispiece.) 



The young or larva is often known as a " slug," and after the season 

 is well started is found in large numbers on the vines. It is dark 

 red, becoming lighter as it grows older, and has a series of black .spots 

 down each side. Its head is quite small. The eggs are bright orange, 

 and are found in masses on the under side of the leaves. 



The pest passes the winter as adult beetles under ground. They come 



