6 BULLETHSJ- 352, U. S. DEPAETMENT OF AGEICULTURE. 



caused the impression that the injury by the beetle was greater than 

 really was the case. 



The larvae of all ages feed in a manner similar to the adults, on the 

 under surface, eating tlirough the leaf to the upper epidermis, but 

 leaving that intact. Occasionally a first-stage larva is found feedmg 

 on the upper surface, but this occurs only on very young leaves that 

 have not entirely unfolded. 



The feeding preference for sickly or injured trees was marked. 

 Such trees were invariably loaded with beetles, while the surround- 

 ing trees may have been comparatively free from attack. The foliage 

 on an unhealthy branch was attacked before the rest of the tree. 

 The preference for the foliage on the lower limbs to that of the 

 upper was still more conspicuous, for the lower limbs may have been 

 completely defoliated, while the foliage of the upper limbs was com- 

 paratively uninjured. (PI. II.) 



The period of economic injury due to this beetle extended over 

 14 or 18 days after its first appearance in June. Probably the greater 

 part of the feeding was done during the first three 

 or four days. There was no injury noticeable 

 from the later brood. 



Severe injury due to this beetle was confined 

 almost entirely to the Early Richmond cherry, 

 especially to young trees. (PI. II.) In a few 

 young orchards, within four days after the first 

 Fig. 2.— The cherry leaf-beetle: appearance of the bcetlcs, the fohage on the 

 Egg Mucheniarged. (Orig- ^ ^^^ ^f ^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^ ^ withered browu, 



inal.) ' 



as if it had been burned. In two weeks the 

 trees were almost completely defoliated. On peach and other varie- 

 ties of cherry trees, although in some instances the feeding appeared 

 quite severe, there was little defoliation. 



DESCRIPTION OF STAGES. 



THE EGG. 



The egg (fig. 2) was first described by Chittenden (1899). It is nearly spherical and 

 bright reddish brown and has the surface deeply pitted with irregularly hexagonal 

 areas. The eggs vary somewhat in size and proportions, but average about 0.75 mm. 

 long by 0.65 mm. in width. 



THE LARVA. 



Except for the increase in size, all three larval instars are very similar. In the early 

 part of each instar the larva is nearly uniform, very dark oUve in color, about three 

 times as long as broad , and with short stout legs. It is broadest at the prothorax, which 

 is about twice as broad as the nearly hemispherical head, and tapers backward to the 

 ninth abdominal segment, which is slightly narrower than the head. Each of the three 

 thoracic and the first eight abdominal segments are more or less conically produced 

 at the sides and bear long bristles extending laterally. Dorsally there are transverse 

 rows of short bristles across the front of the prothorax and double rows across each of 



