8 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



where the devotion of extensive tracts to one crop has resulted 

 after years in a species formerly harmless becoming very 

 destructive. 



It is interesting to note in this connection that the insect is 

 by no means new to New York State. There are examples of 

 the beetles in the private collection of the late J. A. Lintner, 

 which were taken in Schenectady in 1880 and on Virginia creeper 

 at Albany in 1882, and yet so far as known there is no record 

 of the species proving destructive in this section. The writer 

 also met with the insect at Albany in considerable numbers on 

 Virginia creeper in 1901, and, though he has frequently visited 

 vineyards in the vicinity, no signs of the insect were observed. 

 It is very possible that the death of vines in early years here 

 and there may have been caused by this beetle and attributed 

 by growers to other agencies, as was the case before Professor 

 Webster discovered the identity of the depredator in Ohio. 



Allies. This species belongs to the large family of leaf-eating 

 beetles, known as the Chrysomelidae, a group which comprises 

 some of our most destructive insects. To it belongs the notorious 

 elm leaf beetle,^ a species which has destroyed thousands 

 of magnificient shade trees in the Hudson river valley, and 

 may in a few years become a most serious enemy to elms in other 

 sections of the State. The two asparagus beetles,^ are well known 

 enemies to the grower of this succulent vegetable. The familiar 

 yellow and black striped squash bug^ is another ally of this 

 destructive grape pest, which is sometimes aided in its deadly 

 work by the steely or grapevine flea beetle,* a species which has 

 caused great injury in some New York vineyards during recent 

 years. A number of other related forms, nearly as injurious as 

 those named, could be easily listed. These destructive allies are 

 mentioned in this connection simply that the grape grower may 

 have some idea of what related species can do; and, while this 

 pest may not prove so generally injurious as any of these, it 

 has already demonstrated its ability to cause much mischief. 

 We see no reason at present for thinking that the history of this 



^Galerucella luteola Mtill. 



'Crioceris asparagi Linn, and C. 12-punctata Linn. 



^Diabrotica vittata Fabr. 



*Haltica chalybea lUg. . 



