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SCHOOL ENTOMOLOGY 



and antennae are pale yellowish. The larvae feed on the 

 foliage and pupate in the earth. The second generation is 

 usually the most injurious in late summer. This species is 

 readily controlled by spraying with arsenate of lead. 



148. Colorado Potato Beetle.* The Colorado potato 

 beetle (11), is now so well known that it hardly needs descrip- 

 tion, although in many parts of the Gulf and Pacific Coast 



e 



FIG. 199. The Colorado potato-beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say.). 

 (After Riley.) 



a, eggs- b, larva; c, pupa; d, beetle; e, elytra or wing-cover of beetle; /, leg 

 of beetle. 



States it does little if any injury. The adult beetles pass 

 the winter in the earth, where they hibernate until spring 

 sunshine brings them forth. As soon as the young potato 

 plants appear the females deposit their yellow eggs in masses 

 on the foliage, each laying about 500 in the course of a 

 month. At the same time the beetles are doing considerable 

 damage by eating the young plants, sometimes attacking 

 both potato and tomato plants in such numbers as to destroy 

 * Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say. Family Chrysomelidce. 



