SMALL, ACTIVE FLEA-BEETLES INJURING FOLIAGE 



159 



The Western Cabbage Flea-beetle {Phyllotreta pusilla Horn.) 

 This species is related to the preceding, and follows it closely in 



life history and habits. 



The adult is one twelfth of an inch long, 

 dark green in color, without bands or 

 other similar markings on its wings. 

 Control is the same as for the preceding 

 species. 



Fig. 166. — The Western Cab- 

 bage Flea-beetle. Enlarged 

 and natural size. Original. 



Pjq 167.— The Tobacco Flea-beetle, 

 largcd and natural size. Original, 



En- 



The Tobacco Flea-beetle {Epilrix parvula Fab.) 

 A small, dark, active beetle, provided with strong hind legs that 

 enable it to jump readily, injures the leaves of tobacco both in the seed 

 bed and in the field by eating numerous small holes in them. If one 

 of the beetles be examined closely, it will be found to have a darker 

 band across its back, and its wing covers are finely pitted. 



The adults appear from their winter hiding places early in the spring. 

 Eggs are laid on the ground or on the plants. The larvae live in the 

 ground, feeding on small roots. 



Seed beds that are closely covered with cloth will not be injured. 

 The adult beetles may be killed by thorough spraying with arsenate 

 of lead or Paris green. 



The Spinach Flea-beetle {Disomjcha xanthomelxBna Dalm.) 

 A much larger species of flea-beetle commonly attacks spinach, 

 and is often a serious pest of sugar beets. The adult is one fourth 

 of an inch long, with yellow thorax and shining blue wing covers. 



