THE PLUM LEAF-BEETLE. 93 



It is oval, of somewhat variable proportions, the width being about five- 

 sixths of the length. Color bright stramineous. Surface deeply pitted 

 with minute, deep and distinct, rather irregular hexagonal areas, sym- 

 metrically arranged in sevens, inclosed within a hexagonal area. 

 Length, 0.65 to 0.70 mm ; width, 0.50 to 0.60 umj . 



The first egg hatched June 26, eleven days from the date of laying, 

 a period a day or two longer perhaps than normal. 



The following description of the larva was made by Mr. Davis from 

 specimens received July 10: 



The larva. — About 5 mm long, not very broad, and tapering posteriorly. Head, legs, 

 pronotuni, and terminal plate black in all tbe specimens except one whicb was larger, 

 and these parts in that one are reddish brown. On the dorsum of each segment are 

 two transverse rectangular parallel dark spots, with two or more smaller ones on the 

 sides at the end of the large ones, and beneath these is a longitudinal block on each 

 segment. The venter of each abdominal segment is marked with five dark-brown 

 spots, the central one being largest. 



REMEDIES. 



An efficient remedy for the cherry leaf-beetle will be found in the 

 use of an arsenical spray, as described for use against the congeneric 

 imported elm leaf-beetle (see Circular No. 8, 2d ser., Div. Ent., pp. 

 3 and 4). 



NOTES ON THE PLUM AND THE ROSE LEAF-BEETLES. 

 THE PLUM LEAF-BEETLE. 



(Nodonota tristis 01.) 



During the first week of July, 1897, this leaf-beetle was observed at 

 Colonial Beach, Va., in considerable abundance, devouring the leaves of 

 plum trees, particularly young plants that were already suffering from 

 the ravages of the pear slug, Eriocampoides limacina Eetz. (ISelandria 

 cerasi Peck.). The beetles were also observed in nearly equal abundance 

 on the foliage of the peach, and in less numbers devouring the leaves of 

 apple. They occurred still less abundantly on cherry and choke-cherry 

 (Amelanckier canadensis). Wild roses, which are the favorite food plant 

 of the congeneric N.puncticollis, were still in bloom at this time, but 

 Were not attractive to the insects. A few beetles were beaten from black- 

 berry and dewberry bushes and from wild grapevine, but it could not 

 be ascertained if they were feeding on these plants. By the third week 

 in July the beetles had disappeared at this place. August 2, however, 

 a single straggler was picked up at Marshall Hall, Md. The earliest 

 appearance of the beetle noted was at the latter locality June 18, 1898. 



A search through the biologic material in the National Museum col- 

 lection shows that the species mentioned by Dr. Riley in the report of 

 this Department for 1884 (p. 336) as u Golaspis tristis" is in all proba- 

 bility Nodonota tristis, as there are specimens in this collection labeled 



