¢ 
a 
in Ws 
aR . 
BEETLES chew holes in the leaves 
of plants such as beans, potatoes, 
eggplants, turnips, cucumbers, and 
melons. The Bean Beetle (illus- 
trated) and the Potato Beetle in both 
the hard-shell and the young stage 
eat the plant leaves. Blister Beetles, 
10 
Cucumber Beetles, and Flea Beetles, 
feed on the leaves of plants only 
when in the hard-shell (adult) stage. 
Flea beetles are small, dark insects, 
and move so rapidly they often pass 
unnoticed. They riddle the leaves of 
plants with small holes. Newly set 
plants such as tomatoes and egg- 
plants, especially while wilted, are 
attractive to flea beetles. Eggplants 
and potatoes are subject to flea 
beetle attack at all times, whereas 
cabbage, kale, radish, and turnip 
seedlings are more susceptible to 
damage as they come through the 
ground. The small gardener can 
pick the larger beetles off the plants 
by hand and thus protect his crops. 
Rotenone or cryolite applied lightly 
but thoroughly to both the upper 
and lower surfaces of the leaves 
will afford protection from beetles. 
Cryolite can be used until the edible 
parts of plants begin to form (see 
caution on page 15). 
