EGGPLANT ^ :|'9:^lJ0;^j: BEETLE. 



antemije, legs, and wings of the adult are evident on the ventral 

 sm-face, held against the body. Portions of the larval molts adhere 

 to the blunt tip of the abdomen, by which the pupa is attached to the 

 surface upon which it rests. 



Measm-ements of five individuals gave an average length of 5.4 

 mm., the length varying from 5 to 5.5 mm. The average width of 

 the thoracic shield was 2.9 mm. 



THE ADULT. 



2.) is taken from 



The following description of the adult (fig. 

 Blatchley (6): 



Oblong-ovate, sides nearly parallel. Uniform dull green or greenish-yellow; 

 antennae -n-itli last three joints piceous. Thorax twice as wide as long, the angles all 

 broadly rounded; mai'gin very broad, flat and 

 translucent. Elj-tra with humeral angles 

 prominent, margins broadly flattened, punc- 

 tures A'ery coarse and close-set; intervals nar- 

 row. Length 5-5.5 mm. 



DEVELOPMENT. 



OVIPOSITION. 



On eggplant the greater number of 

 the eggs have been found on the 

 underside of the leaves, although they 

 are also placed on the surf ace and some- 

 times on other portions of the plant. 

 "While as many as four eggs have been 

 found together, they are usually placed 

 singly or in groups of two or three 

 eggs each. Where more than one egg 

 occurs they are placed one above 

 another. Surrounding the egg and extending from it in the plane of 

 its greatest circumference, to form a more or less rectangular flake, is a 

 thin, transparent layer of membranous substance having a brownish 

 tinge. Covering this, almost without exception, is a second, larger 

 flake of the same material. These are attached to each other at the 

 end where the flake inclosing the egg is attached to the surface upon 

 which it is placed. 



Eggs were first noted in the field at Baton Rouge, La., on May 11 

 and were present as late as September. 



PERIOD OF INCUBATION. 



During June the period of incubation of eggs kept in the insectary 

 was quite constant, the larvae issuing in from four to five days after 

 the eggs had been deposited. 



The follcAving table gives the mean maximum and minimum tem- 

 peratures for the insectary wlu^re the life-history studios were con- 

 durtod, and the corresponding figures given for Baton Rouge by the 

 United States Weather Bunsau. Readmgs were taken each morning 

 from a maximum and minimum thermometer. 



Fig. 2.— Eggplant tortoise beetle: Adiilt. 

 Enlarged. (Original.) 



