

90 INSECTS INJURIOUS TO GARDEN AND ORCHARD CROPS. 



cese, and the adults, although inclined to be omnivorous at times, are 

 practically confined to this order of plants when such are available. 

 The beetle is illustrated in the accompanying figure. 



OTHER SPECIES OF EPITRIX 



Of the remaining species of Epitrix, E. brevis Sz. has been found by 

 its describer on Solatium nigrum. It closely resembles cucumeris in 

 color and in its comparatively sparsely punctate thorax. It differs 

 chiefly in its shorter form and feeble autebasal thoracic impressions. 

 It is evidently rare, being recorded only from Enterprise, Fla., and 

 Columbus, Tex. 



The larval habits of E. lobata Or., which is known from North Caro- 

 lina and Florida, and E. subcrinita Lee, which Inhabits Oregon, Cali- 

 fornia, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona, are unknown. Both probably feed 

 in their larval stages on Solanacea?; the latter with little doubt does so, 

 as it has been reported to iujure young tomato plants, while in the 

 beetle condition it also injures beans. (Insect Life, vol. iv, p. 135.) 



REMEDIAL TREATMENT. 



In addition to the remedies mentioned as of value against the tobacco 

 flea-beetle (Bui. 10, n. s., p. 82), namely, pyrethrum mixed with flour or 

 road dust, Bordeaux mixture, and Paris green, combined or alone, it has 

 been suggested by Dr. Howard that the destruction of weeds of the 

 family Solanaceae around the margins of fields and gardens will result 

 in positive benefit in the reduction of the numbers of these flea-beetles 

 as well as of numerous other insects which infest solan aceous crop 

 plants. He suggests, also, the growing of a few clumps of jimson weed 

 or nightshade as trap crops for the beetles, the plants to be thoroughly 

 poisoned in the early summer before the crops are planted or set out. 

 This matter will be treated somewhat at length in a forthcoming 

 article by Dr. Howard, entitled "The principal insects affecting the 

 tobacco plant,', in the Yearbook of this Department for 1898. If this 

 is done, and the writer is of the opinion that the jimson weed is the 

 preferable plant, owing to its larger size and apparent greater attract- 

 iveness to the flea-beetles as well as other solanaceous feeders, the 

 precaution should be observed to destroy them before seeding time, 

 that they may not prove a pest rather than a benefit. 



THE CHERRY LEAF-BEETLE. 



(Galerucella cavicollis Lee.) 



RECENT INJURY. 



June 4, 1898, Mr. P. W. Hombach, St. Ignace, Mackinac County, 

 Mich., wrote that this species, specimens of which were inclosed, was 

 found in great numbers on cherry trees, eating holes in the leaves. 



Through the kindness of Dr. Sylvester D. Judd., of the Biological 

 Survey of the Department of Agri cult are, specimens of the above 



