Some account of the Chrysomela vitivora. 113 
Arr. XIX.—Communications by Davip Tuomas. 
1. Some account of the Chrysomela vitwora, (with an engraving.) 
In the spring of 1831, I first observed these brilliant insects creep- 
ing on my vines; and on a closer inspection, I found they were de- 
vouring the buds, eating out the central and more succulent parts. 
Some were advanced even half their lengths into the buds. The 
exigency required prompt measures; in our first attack, we proba- 
bly killed a hundred; and we continued our examinations, picking 
up a few stragglers almost daily, till we had nearly destroyed the 
colony. : 
In the spring, they are commonly in pairs. When disturbed, they 
rather jump than fly, and remain where they fall for a time without 
motion. 
On presenting this insect at that time, to a student in Entomology, 
he pronounced it a Chrysomela ; and at my request furnished the fol- 
lowing description. The specific name which he has proposed is in- 
dicative of its feeding and living on the vine (Vitis. ) 
Curysomena. Generic character: Tarsi, with four joints; palpi 
six; antenne moniliform, thickening towards the tip; thorax margin- 
ed; body ovate or oblong, convex. 
C. vitivora. Specific description : upper surface of the elytra, head, 
and thorax, of a deep greenish blue; the under surface of the elytra, 
the wings, the mouth, and the upper part of the abdomen, brown; 
the legs, antennze, and the upper surface of the body, dark green ; 
antenne the length of the abdomen. 
-“Tnquiries were made of several gentlemen versed in Entomolo- 
gy, whose impressions were that the insect had not before been de- 
scribed.” 
It was soon after observed in other parts of Cayuga County ; a 
correspondent informed me that it had been seen near Philadelphia ; 
and on my inquiring im a horticultural journal, if it had appeared in 
other places, Noyes Daruine, Esquire made the following state- 
ment : 
“For New Haven (Con.) and its vicinity, I answer, that this in- 
sect made its appearance last spring (1831) but not I believe for the 
first time. Its numbers however, were unusually great; and the in- 
jury which it has done to the vines, is wholly unexampled. Some 
vines were entirely despoiled of their fruit buds, so as to be rendered 
Vou. XXVI.—No. 1. 15 
