26 



ing about like fleas, and were found on only one other plant, specimens 

 of which were inclosed and which proved to be Ambrosia artem isimfclia. 



The same year the species was to be found in its usual abundance 

 upon the weed last mentioned, as also upon the black or garden night- 

 shade (Solcmum nigrum). July lit was observed on beans and upon 

 Lima beans at Cabin John, Md. 



July 11 and 12 Mr. Pratt, on the occasion of a visit at Travilah. 

 Md. . made a special search for the larva, with the result of finding a 

 few individuals at the roots of lambsquarter, Chenopodium aXbvm, and 

 Jamestown weed, Datura stramonium. The imagos reared issued 

 July 22 and 23. 



In a previous year the writer captured an adult near Washington, 

 June IT. which had but just issued, being still immature at this time. 



PUBLISHED ACCOUNTS OF FOOD HABITS AND INJURY. 



What is evidently the first account of the habits of this species was 

 published by Townend Glover in the Monthly Report of this Depart- 

 ment for July. 1873 (republished in Ann. Kept. 1873, p. 152). In 

 June of that year it was reported at Chambersburg, Pa., where it had 

 "nearly devastated a field of corn, eating the leaves and leaving the bare 

 stalks standing." In 1878 or 1879, according to Dr. Cyrus Thomas 

 {cf. Webster), this insect "ravaged fields of growing corn in Illinois." 



Other accounts containing information concerning the habits of this 

 species may be briefly mentioned. In 1881 Dr. S. A. Forbes (13th 

 Kept. Ins/ 111.. 1883 [1884], p. 86) published a brief notice of its 

 abundance on the leaves of strawberry and melon near Anna, in south- 

 ern Illinois. In 1886 the same writer mentioned the rearing of its 

 larva from kernels of sprouting corn in the earth (Can. Ent., Yol. 

 XA^III. p. 177) and the feeding of the imago on the cocklebur, Xan- 

 thium strurnxvrvu/m (Ent. Amer.. Vol. II. p. 171). In 1887, according 

 to Mr. F. M. Webster, it occurred on potato vines in Tippecanoe 

 County, Ind. (Indiana Farmer. July 30, 1887: Kept. U. S. Dept. 

 Agr., 1887, p. 151). The same year Dr. J. A. Lintner recorded it on 

 cotton in Jackson County. Ga. (Count. Gent., Vol. LII, 1887, p. -HI; 

 1th X. Y. Kept.. 1888. p. 155). In 1890 Mr. Webster again reported 

 injuries at Lafayette. Ind., to beets (Tr. Ind. Hort. Soc. for 1890 

 [1891], p. 26.) The following year Mr. Lawrence Brunei* included 

 this species in a list of the insects observed in Nebraska attacking the 

 sugar beet. White clover, purslane, and Amaranthus are also cited 

 as food plants, and the opinion was expressed that this is liable to be 

 one of the most destructive beet insects in the West (Bui. 23, Div. 

 Ent., p. 15). He also treats of the species somewhat more at length 

 (Bui. 16, Nebr. Agr. Expt. Sta.. 1891. p. 60) in its relation to sugar 

 beet, adding Chenopodium to the list of the food plants of the beetle, 

 and remarking that it fed sparingly on the Cruciferse. 



