FAMILY GALERUCIDJC. 135 



(Edionychus thoracica. 

 Color of the elytra blue purplish, immaculate : thorax luttous, marked with eight black 

 dots ; outer margin luteous. The outer half of the tarsal joints and antennae lutecus ; 

 the rest purplish. 



Hal ticides. 



Genus HALTICA. 



'Form oblong-ovate : thorax, narrower than the elytra; posterior tarsi short' (West- 

 wood). 

 This genus comprises many species, all of which are small, and whose posterior legs are 

 formed for leaping. They feed upon the leaves of vegetables, more especially upon the 

 cruciform plants, as mustard, radish and turnip ; the latter of which often surfers exceed- 

 ingly, in consequence of the insects eating the young and succulent leaves, perforating 

 them like a sieve. Their colors are often brilliant 



Haltica chalybea. 

 Body oblong oval : thorax marked with a transverse fiu row. Color steel-blue, but variable 

 and passing into greenish blue : underside green ; antennae and feet black. Length 

 from one-sixth to one-fifth of an inch. 



David Thomas, of Cayuga county, has given in Silliman's Journal an account of this 

 species of Haltica. This excellent observer noticed that his vine leaves were infested with 

 a small smooth chestnut-colored larva ; and on feeding them in a tumbler partly filled 

 with earth, they came to maturity and buried themselves, and in two weeks afterwards 

 came out the perfect insect, after having undergone their transformation. The larva feeds 

 upon the tender fruit buds while in a growing state, and hence destroys the fruit for the 

 season. The use of a solution of whale-oil soap would undoubtedly protect the vine, and 

 drive away the insects. 



The cucumber is infested with another species of Haltica, which has received the name 

 of H. cucumcris from Dr. Harris. It is black, one-sixteenth of an inch long, with clay 

 yellow antennse and legs, except the hindmost, which is brown : the thorax is marked by 

 a deep transverse furrow ( Harris). 



Another is the wavy striped beetle, Haltica striolata, and feeds upon the horse-radish, 

 mustard and turnip ; in which respect it resembles the European species, which feeds- 

 upon and destroys the turnip crop. 



