THE TOBACCO FLEA-BEETLE. . 85 



NATURAL ENEMIES. 



At least one natural enemy is known for this species. It is the 

 taehina fly, Hypostena barbata Coq., which develops within the abdo- 

 men of the adult beetle. It was first recorded by- the writer as a para- 

 site of this species (1. c, vol. iv, p. 78). June 15 the puparium was 

 found, which had developed from a larva just escaped from a beetle. 

 June 26 the fly issued, having passed eleven days as a puparium. 



REMEDIES. 



The arsenites are suggested as the rational remedies for this species, 

 the only drawback to their use being the low growth of the plants 

 infested. Paris green with Bordeaux mixture applied to the under and 

 upper surface of the leaves would serve as a remedy for both adults 

 and larvae. Keeping down the lambsquarter of the vicinity would also 

 prove a measure of value; but this would be a difficult matter with 

 regard to the chick weed. 



BIOLOGIC AND OTHER NOTES ON THE FLEA -BEETLES WHICH 

 ATTACK SOLANACEOUS PLANTS. 



In continuation of observations begun in 1897 on the biology of the 

 tobacco flea-beetle (Epitrix parvula Fab.), and published in Bulletin 10 

 of the present series (pp. 79-82), the following notes on that and other 

 species of the genus are presented. 



THE TOBACCO FLEA-BEETLE. 

 (Epitrix parvula Fab.) 



Recent injuries. — July 15, 1898, Mr. Francis Boaler, Huntsville, Madi- 

 son County, Ark., sent specimens of this species and its work on a leaf 

 of tobacco with the statement that the beetles were destroying tobacco 

 on his plantation. This tobacco was planted on mountain land, sand 

 rock soil, in ground which had been in pasture six years. The land 

 was plowed and then ridged. Our correspondent noticed that the 

 beetles usually stayed on the under surface of the leaves during the 

 daytime and became active about an hour before sundown. They some- 

 times ate the leaves in such manner as to leave only the ribs and 

 smaller veins. The ground was at this time perfectly free from weeds; 

 but it would stem probable that a large number of solanaceous plants, 

 such as Jamestown weed and nightshade, which we now know to be 

 larval food plants, had grown upon this land or in the immediate 

 vicinity before the tobacco was planted. 



Later Mr. Boaler, writing under date of August 10, 1898, stated 

 that the beetles had apparently been destroyed almost totally by heavy 

 and incessant rains. It is not improbable, however, that the weather 

 at this time had driven the beetles into hibernation, perhaps a little 

 prematurely. 



