74 



Length of full grown larva extended, 5 to 5.6 mm.; width, 1.3 

 to 1.4 mm. 



The pupa. — The pupa (fig. IT, f) in its structure presents no very 

 observable characters for recognition. It looks like that of Disonycha 

 xanthomelcena but differs in color. It is quite differently colored from 

 its larva, being rather pale orange, with lighter yellowish orange head, 

 legs, and wing-pads. The surface is rather sparsely beset with short, 

 fine, acutely pointed hairs, light at their insertion and nearly black at 

 the apices. These proceed from small, dark, rounded, moderately 

 prominent piliferous warts or tubercles, in the arrangement of which 

 there should be found good generic, if not specific, characters. One 

 of these tubercles is located on the head near the inner angle of each 

 eye, and another is placed above it and a little nearer the median line. 

 A transverse row of hairs proceeds from the posterior end of each 

 abdominal segment. The abdomen terminates in a pair of apical hooks, 

 which are moderately acutely pointed and rather strongly incurved, 

 nearly white in color at the base and black upon the posterior moiety. 

 There is also on the ventral surface at each side of the anal aperture a 

 minute tubercle. 



Length, 3 mm.; width, 1.6 mm. 



PUBLISHED BIOLOGIC RECORDS. 



In the year 1847 Dr. F. E. Melsheimer gave to this insect the specific 

 name of kahnim from its occurrence on the laurel, Kahitia Jatifolia 

 and glauca (Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., Vol. Ill, p. 164). 



What appears to be the earliest record of injury to any useful plants 

 by this species is that published in Volume III of the American Ento- 

 mologist in 1880, and reported by Mr. G[eo]. T[hurber]. The beetles 

 were described as having injured fuchsias at Norfolk. Va.. in June of 

 that year, when they swooped down "in a cloud," and in two hours 

 ruined over 600 blooming plants; no other plants were noticed to be 

 affected. Paris green killed the beetles, but unfortunately also injured 

 the plants so that they could not be sold. In the answer to this letter 

 by Dr. Riley, the species is identified as Graptodera carinata Germ., 

 and the present identification of the species as ignita is on the authority 

 of Mr. Schwarz. Incidental mention is made of the species having 

 been found very injurious to fuchsias at St. Louis in 1874. and that/ it 

 attacks also many other greenhouse plants. First appearance was 

 noticed during the month of June. The egg was briefly described. 

 The beetles were also stated to often swarm on fire weed (Erichth!tes 

 hie?xici folia). Pyrethrum " numbed" the insects and kept them off 

 the plants until it was necessary to water them again. Beetles were 

 reared from larva? found feeding on evening primrose ((ErvoiJiera 

 biennis). 



It was not until a decade of years prior to the time of writing, so 



