6 BULLETIN 902, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



hard to catch and did great damage. The same year injuries were 

 also reported to gardens in Verne, Okla., in April and May, and an 

 invasion occurred at Brownsville and at Harlingen, Tex., on turnip 

 and cabbage, in November. According to reports by Mr. McMillan, 

 the beetles were to be found continuously through the month of 

 November in south Texas. 



In 1909 Mr. H. J. Kelley, Springton, Idaho, complained of this species, 

 June 18. It was observed by Mr. M. M. High attacking potato at 

 Lyford, Tex., March 2, and turnips and radish at Brownsville, Tex., 

 March 26. July 25, of the same year, complaint by Mr. R. E. Chevick 

 was made in regard to the same insect, on beans, cabbage, sugar beet, 

 garden beet, and mangels. During July also, Mr. G. E. Thompson re- 

 ported it at Akron, Colo., on kale and rape, and a heavy infestation 

 at Fort Collins, stating that farmers complained of serious injury 

 in their gardens, especially to cabbage, radish, and peas. November 

 7, H. M. Russell found the beetle at Compton, Calif., feeding on wild 

 mustard. 



In 1910 beetles were observed by Mr. High at Brownsville, Tex., in 

 January, February, and March in large numbers on turnip, radish, 

 and lettuce, doing great damage to young plants, the underside of 

 the leaves being covered with excavations made by them. He wrote 

 : 4n time this greatly devitalizes the growth of the plants and if the 

 present number remains long enough, many of the leaves will wilt 

 and die." March 2 the species was observed in numbers on young 

 Irish potatoes at Lyford, Tex., by Mr. A. Steller. 



During 1911, Mr. McMillan stated that in January and February 

 this flea-beetle had been numerous at Brownsville, Tex., on wild 

 water-cress (Roripa spliaerocarpa) , wild pepper-grass (Lepidium vir- 

 ginicum), and on young turnip, mustard, and rutabaga. The beetles 

 pass through partial hibernation, but their wild hosts were only 

 slightly injured. July 2, this species was the subject of complaint 

 at Goodwell, Okla., by Mr. Gus Shubert, who stated that in spite 

 of different plantings the insect, locally known as the "earth flea." 

 damaged radish, turnip, and cabbage. Serious infestation was re- 

 ported the following day at Akron, Colo., to cabbage, lettuce, radish, 

 and peas, and on July 25, to beans, cabbage, and sugar beets at Dulce, 

 N. Mex. 



June 10, 1912, injury was reported at Moses, N. Mex., to cabbage, 

 radish, and turnip. 



In 1913 this flea-beetle was observed in large numbers, January 

 27, at Brownsville, Tex., by Mr. High, attacking radish and turnip. 

 The leaves were full of small holes made by the beetles. Injury was 

 less noticeable on spinach and table beets. May 17, it was quite 

 abundant on cabbage. Small excavations had been made on the 

 underside of the leaves but were not yet entirely through the upper 



