77 



HABITS OF THE LAKV.E. 



In our rearing jars the larvae hatched from the egg fed almost ex- 

 clusively on the underside of the leaves. Not being satisfied that this 

 was the only manner of feeding of the larva, a visit was paid to the 

 locality where this species was found most abundantly the past season, 

 with the result of finding some plants containing numerous larvae. It 

 was then ascertained that this larva lives very much as does the related 

 Ilaltica marevagans, which the writer has had under observation in 

 earlier years. It feeds upon both the upper and lower surfaces of the 

 leaf, appearing not to prefer either side. It also erodes large holes in 

 the growing seed pods, and even at times feeds in a similar manner 

 upon the stem. The larvae appear to favor the shade and are usually 

 found in the more secluded positions on the plant, particularly the 

 upper portions, occurring quite as often on the seed pods as on the 

 foliage. In several instances larva? were found that had crawled into 

 leaves that had been rolled up by the grape leaf -folder. Desmia funer- 

 alis. The larvae are quite sluggish and move from one leaf to another 

 only when necessity urges them, feeding as they go. In feeding they 

 gouge out around them large cavities, nearly as deep as their bodies. 



When full fed the larva? enter the earth, and beneath and near the 

 surface form little cells for pupation. Before this transformation 

 they become much lighter, yellow or orange-yellow, in color. 



LIFE HISTORY OF THE SPECIES. 



The beetles have been observed in the District of Columbia in May, 

 but probably make their appearance in the South at least in April, and 

 farther north may not appear till early June. 



Eggs were deposited on the 23d b}^ beetles obtained at River View, 

 Md. , May 21, and by others taken August 12, at Marshall Hall, Md. , 

 on the following day and until at least the end of the month, since 

 eggs have been obtained as late as August 28. ' 



The observed duration of the egg stage in August w r as six days. 



Larva? that hatched August 18 had begun to attain maturity August 

 29, or in eleven days, when they entered the earth for transformation. 



The first imagos appeared September 6. \Ye know even without 

 verification the full periods of development -merely by the analogy of 

 this species and related ones. It had required two days for the beetle 

 to mature before leaving the pupal cell. This would bring the date of 

 assuming the imago state to September 4. The pupa stage required 

 eight days, and eight days more were consumed by the larva in the earth 

 before transformation to pupa. The temperature to which the insects 

 were exposed during the major portion of this time was moderately 

 cool, about 74 to 81° F. 



Indications are that there are two generations produced annually in 

 the District of Columbia, and there is probably a third in the South, 

 while farther north only a single generation may develop. 



