GARDEN INSECTS 



275 



A number of species attack cabbage and other cruciferous 

 crops. The Striped Turnip Flea-beetle, * one of the most com- 

 mon, is polished black with each wing-cover marked with a 

 broad wavy band of pale yellow. The small white larvae 

 have sometimes injured the roots of cabbage and turnips, 

 but probably they usually feed on the roots of cruciferous 

 weeds. Where the plants 

 are sprayed properly for the 

 cabbage worms there will 

 usually be little trouble with 

 flea-beetles. Otherwise, 

 spray with arsenate of lead, 

 three to five pounds to the 

 barrel, or dust with pow- 

 dered arsenate of lead. 

 Where injury is anticipated 

 it will be well to dip the 

 plants, as advised above for 

 tomatoes. Where plants 

 are attacked in the seed- 

 bed, screening tightly with 

 cheesecloth is advised. By 

 thoroughly dusting the 

 plants with air-slaked lime, 

 land plaster, tobacco dust, 

 ashes, or any similar dusts, applying them in the early 

 morning while the dew is on the plants, they may be pro- 

 tected as long as they are kept thoroughly covered. 



The Spinach Flea-beetle f is a larger species, one-fourth 

 inch long, and is commonly injurious to beets and spinach. 

 It is shining black with a greenish or bluish luster, the pro- 

 thorax and abdomen are red or reddish-yellow, and the legs 



* Phyllotreta vittata Fab. f Disonycha xanthomelcena Dalm. 



FIG. 198. The spinach flea-beetle 

 (Disonycha xanthomelcena Dalm.). 

 (After Chittenden, U. S. Dept. 

 Agr.) 



a, beetle; b, egg mass; c, larva; d, pupa 

 five times natural size. 



