
INSECTS INJURIOUS TO THE POTATO. 97 
this region have complained bitterly of a “new long potato 
bug,” alluding to these Cantharides, having forgotten in the 
midst of the injuries caused by the Colo- Fig. 19. 
rado potato bugs for several years, that 
these blistering beetles had ever injured 
potato vines. 
The reports coming in | from localities 
all around me were “that these Cantha- 
rides were much more injurious than ~ 
the Colorado bugs; that potatoes were 
greatly injured, and beet crops entirely 
ruined in many instances; and this accords with my obser- 
vations about home. 
These Cantharides are not very particular about the choice 
of food. Although they doubtless prefer the potato, beet, 
golden-rod, etc., yet sooner than be without food, they will 
devour almost any kind of vegetable that comes in their 
way. I have seen the Ash-colored Cantharis doing well on 
- locust leaves; also on common red field clover, etc., and 
have lately, for a wonder, seen the Black Cantharis feasting 
on the leaves of a common noxious weed, sometimes called 
lamb’s quarters, pig-weed, etc. (Chenopodium album Linn.), 
for injurious insects are almost sure to eat the useful vege- 
tation in preference to weeds. 
After thus observing the workings of nature’s plans, Iam 
convinced that she will in due time take care of the Colorado 
potato bug, as she has of the Cantharides during all past 
time. 


Nore. — Since communicating the above, I spent two weeks last autumn 
in travelling in Eastern and Middle Iowa, and learned some dang. the 
most reliable being ario out of the history of the good 
potato crop, as evinced by the — in the digging seas "Po tatoes at 
Mount Carroll, IN., pua 50 e a bushel; at Span ile, Joe Davis 
County, Ill., 50 cents; at Rock gus Ill, 60 to A cents. In 
South Amenon, 30 to 35 cents; at Marengo, 50 cents; State Centre, 30 to 
35 cents ; Grundy County, 25 to 30 cents; and thus sedie ranged all along 
Wherever I went. The Colorado potato beetle had been very injurious. 
AMER. NATURALIST, VOL. III. | 

