MONTANA KXPHKIMKNT STATION. 133 



As affecting' the methods of controlling the ravages of this pest 

 a knowledge of the food plants it is of great importance. More will 

 be said on the subject under the head of remedies. 



Only scattered observations on the feeding habits have been made 

 ^s recorded above, but various writers iiave suggested that it is 

 probable that the species feeds on a large variety of plants. Our 

 observations bear out. this belief. The food plants above recorded 

 are widely scattered through the vegetable kingdom and it would 

 not be surprising to find in a complete list, if such a list could be 

 obtained, a very large number of widely differing plants. 



Further observations on the feeding habits of this beetle in dif- 

 ferent parts of the United States are very desirable and might 

 X'rove to be pf great value. 



INJURIOUSNESS. 



In only two localities in this state has this pest become noticeably 

 destructive, so far as we are informed. These two places are in 

 Missoula Co., one being on the farm of Mr. Chas. Williams in the 

 Rattlesnake Valley north of Missoula, and the other at the place of 

 Mr. England west of the city. At Mr. England's place the beetles 

 were very injurious about five years ago and drove him out of the 

 business. He gave up attempting to grow strawberries for a period 

 of four years, and then Mrs. England in the spring of 1904 set out 

 a new bed not far from the old patch. So far as the experience of 

 1904 shows, no beetles are on the place. An explanation of this 

 present freedom from the pest offers itself and is discussed under 

 the head of remedies. 



At the Williams place the beetles have prevented the profitabli 

 growing of strawberries for about eight or ten years. Great credit 

 is due to these people for the persistence with which they have tried 

 to overcome the pest. They have studied its habits both out of doors 

 and in cages in the house and are remarkably familiar with its 

 haunts and ways. Tk.ey have moved their strawberry beds from 

 one place to another all over their large and beautiful ranch and have 

 invariably confronted the pest in each new spot. They have tried 

 every means of control within their reach and have showed much in- 

 genuity in their campaign but always at the time when the berries 

 should be growing and coming to maturity, the vines gradually 



