EGGPLAl^T TORTOISE BEETLE. 7 



Table III. — Results of arsenical sprays against the eggplant tortoise beetle. 



Treatment. 



Number of 

 larvse on 

 25 plants 



before 

 spraying. 



Number of 

 larvse 

 on same 

 plants 2 

 days after 

 spraying. 



Number of 

 larvae 

 on same 

 plants 4 

 days after 

 spraying. 



Sprayed vrith arsenate of lead, powdered, at rate of 1 pound to 50 gal- 



85 

 9.3 



14 

 12 



2 



Sprayed with ai'senite of zinc, powdered, at rate of 1 pound to 50 gal- 

 lons of Wfitpr 



2 







During tliis time there was no apparent decrease in the number of 

 larrse on unsprayed plants. It is apparent that the larvse can be 

 controlled satisfactorily by the use of an arsenical which might, at 

 the same time, serve to lessen the injury caused by other leaf-eating 

 insects. In transplanting eggplant in sections where this tortoise 

 beetle is abundant it would be advisable to dip them in some spray 

 mixture to prevent injury. 



SUMMARY. 



During 1915 a tortoise beetle (Cassida paUidula Boh.) was found 

 injuring eggplant and Irish potato at Baton Rouge, La. 



This species has hitherto been recorded as feeding on eggplant 

 and various wild Solanums.^ It is somewhat widely distributed over 

 the southern United States. 



The various stages have been described from life-history studies 

 carried on at Baton Rouge. 



Three females reared in the insectary deposited, respectively, 268, 

 269, and 231 eggs, one laying as many as 12 in one day, and another 

 averaging 7 eggs a day. 



The minimum hfe cycle in the insectary was found to be 27 days. 

 Under ideal conditions it is possible that five generations may develop 

 in the field at Baton Rouge during the spring, summer, and fall. 



Only one enemy, an undetermined egg parasite, has been noted. 



An experiment with arsenate of lead and arsenite of zinc indicates 

 that the species can be controlled satisfactorily by the use of 

 arsenicals. 



1 Numerous ohser%'ations have been made of this species and its occurrence on solanaceous plants, many 

 of which have not been recorded. In 1903, June 12, it was observed at Rivcrview, Md., on wild Solanum. 

 May 4, WM, it was ob.served by Mr. J. C. Brldwell at Willis, Tex., on Solanum carolincnsc. He also 

 observed this species on the same plant in Kansas |in earlier years. May S, 1908, and March 31, 1909, Messrs. 

 McMillan and Marsh observed this species on Solanum elaeagnifolium. Febraai-y 0, 1912, Mr. M. Bcatty 

 obser^'cd this species on potato and eggplant at New Orleans, La. During Juno, 1915, the species was 

 obser\'ed on eggplant by Mr. F. 15. Mil I i', en, at Wichita, Kans. We have received specimens from 

 Kansas City, Mo., and from Agricultural College, MLss., the latter collected by Mr. J. W. Bailey, on egg- 

 plant.— f. ir. CinTTENDEN 



