U. 8S. D. A., B. E. Bul. 68, Part VITI. D. F. I. 1., January 20, 1909. 
PAPERS ON DECIDUOUS FRUIT INSECTS AND INSECTICIDES. 
THE GRAPE-LEAF SKELETONIZER. 
(Harrisina americana Guérin-Méneville.) 
3y P. R. JONEs, 
Engaged in Deciduous Fruit Insect Investigations. 
INTRODUCTION. 
For the last sixty years or more the species known as //arrisina 
americana has been brought to the attention of entomologists and 
vineyardists by the characteristic feeding of the yellowish, black- 
spotted larve in soldierlike rows upon the foliage of the grape. As 
this is the only Lepidopterous insect that feeds in a gregarious man- 
ner upon grape foliage it will be easily recognized. Although it has 
been known for a number of years, many points have been lacking 
in the knowledge of its life history and habits, and it is hoped that 
the following pages will present some facts that hitherto have not 
been mentioned, as well as give a summary of what has been learned 
about the insect up to the present time. 
HISTORY. 
There is considerable doubt as to where this insect was first figured 
and described. In G. Henderson’s edition of the Animal Kingdom 
it is figured by Baron Cuvier (1837) under the name Agloape ameri- 
cana Boisduval, but no description is given. <A description and 
figure are published by Guérin-Méneville, the insect being listed as 
Agloape americana Boisduval. The dates of issue in the latter case 
(1829-1838) are evidently erroneous, as there are in the volume fre- 
quent references to articles published in 1840, 1841, and some as late 
as 1843; the volume was, therefore, probably not issued before 1844 
or 1845. Harris, in 1839, described the species as Procris americana 
and figured its various stages. This appears to be the first published 
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