61 



In the records above cited the species has always been referred to 

 as Colaspis tristis. Until the year 1892, when Dr. Horn revised the 

 Euinolpini (Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc, Vol. XIX), the above name com- 

 prised four species, all of similar distribution, but with somewhat 

 different food habits. They may now be separated as regards known 

 food plants as follows : 



N. tristis Ol: On Lespedeza, Ceanothus. and other upland we 

 (Hamilton). 



X clypealis Horn: On Ambrosia trifida in river bottoms. 



N conrexa Say: In the same situations (Hamilton). 



S. puncticollis Say: On wild and cultivated roses, blackberry, i 

 berry, strawberry, and red clover. 



Unfortunately, observations noted by the writer and others for 

 Colaspis tristis include both puncticollis and the true tristis. This 

 much is certain, however, that the species particularly attached to the 

 Kosacere is Xodonota puncticollis Say. It is most abundant on the wild 

 rose, which, as it appears to be the favorite food plant of the adult, is 

 probably also that of the larva, which is undoubtedly a root-feeder like 

 other species of Eumolpini. As no English name appears to have been 

 bestowed upon this species, it is proposed to call it the rose leaf-beetle. 

 Next after the rose, the petals and leaves of species of Eubus and Fra- 

 garia appear to be preferred by the beetle of this species. The writer 

 first noticed its abundance on wild roses at Ithaca. X. Y., in 1883, on 

 blackberry on Staten Island, New York, in 1880. and on strawberry at 

 Washington, I). C, in 1891, the same year that Dr. Riley found it so 

 troublesome on cultivated roses. The strawberry it injured by feeding 

 in the axils of the newly-opened leaves: blackberries it damaged by 

 voraciously devouring the petals of the flowers as well as the leaves. 

 The writer has also seen the beetles feeding upon the heads of red 

 clover. 



This beetle measures a little more than an eighth of an inch. Irs 

 usual color is green, but it is sometimes blue or olivaceous and also 

 somewhat bronzy. It is moderately shining and the legs are piceons. 

 For its further identification the accompanying illustration tig. 39 has 

 been prepared. Prom other species of the genus it differs chiefly by 

 being somewhat more oblong and convex. The punctures of the pro- 

 thorax are substrigose and the elytra have a distinct umbonal cost a. 



An effort was made during the season of 1891 to rear this insect from 

 the egg on potted plants but without success. The earlier stages and 

 life history are unknown, but it is probable that in most essential par 

 ticulars it resembles Colaspis brunnea. 



The distribution accorded it by Dr. Horn (1. c. p. 232) lb "from 

 Pennsylvania and westward to Kansas. Dakota, and Montana, south- 

 ward to North Carolina. n In the writer's collection is also a series from 

 Ithaca and Staten Island. New York. Orange. N". J., and Arizona. 



