THE CUCUMBER FLEA-BEETLE 



239 



light frame covered with oiled muslin. The under side of leaves 

 may be dusted with pyrethrum powder. 



The Cucumber Flea-beetle (Epitrix cucumeris Harr.). These 

 tiny beetles occur throughout the United States and are found 

 upon tomatoes and potatoes, as well as cucumbers, melons, and 

 allied plants. When found in potatoes, the grubs mine in the 





Fid. 247. Melon leaves curled by attacks of lice. (Chittenden, U. S, Bu. Ent.) 



tubers. The principal injury is done to the foliage by the young 

 beetles, just after it is up in the spring. The leaves are riddled. 

 A badly riddled leaf appears as if hit by a charge of bird shot, 

 though sometimes the surface is eaten off at each feeding place. 

 The beetles are black, one-sixteenth of an inch long (Fig. 248). 

 They hibernate over winter in leaves and rubbish, and emerge 



