1360 



FAMILY LXIV. — MELOIDJE. 



Fig. 591. (After Forbes.) 



of the antenna. The first joint is usually shorter, rarely equal to, 



and never longer than the third, 

 and the second joint is never 

 greater in length than half the 

 third. Epicauta vittata and E. 

 marginata (Fig. 591), are both 

 known as "old-fashioned potato 

 bugs, " and frequently appear in 

 swarms in late summer and 

 sweep through a garden or field 

 before the farmer realizes the 

 nature of the attack. They es- 

 pecially favor beets and certain 

 Composite when in flower. As 

 a rule they disappear as sud- 

 denly as they come, some species 

 being found in swarms on one 

 day only. Others remain a week 

 or two and are then best gathered into kerosene pans, if at all pos- 

 sible. The arsenites kill them slowly, and a swarm that feeds for 

 a day or two before application is made and a day or two before 

 the specimens die has done about as much injury as would have 

 been caused without treatment of any kind. Driving them off with 

 bushes wielded by hand is sometimes practiced with fair success and 

 may be resorted to when circumstances favor the method." Six 

 species of the genus have been taken in the State, while one other 

 may occur. 



KEY TO INDIANA SPECIES OF EPICAUTA 



a. Antenna! joints of equal thickness throughout, cylindrical and closely 

 united; eyes nearly as wide as long, feebly or not einarginate in 

 front. 



1). Head less densely punctured than thorax, usually brick red behind 

 the eyes. ' okoo 



J 2523. TKICHRUS. 



hh. Head and thorax similarly punctured, the former always black ; ely- 

 tra clothed with dense gray or grayish-yellow pubescence, 

 c. Thorax longer than wide, densely pubescent with a dark line each 

 side of middle. sthigosa. 

 cc. Thorax as wide as long, moderately shining, rather coarsely and 

 densely punctured. 2524. fereuginea. 



an. Antennal joints on apical half always more slender, loosely united and 

 more or less compressed; eyes always longer than wide! einarginate 

 in front, more finely granulate and less prominent than in those pre- 

 ceding. 



d. Elytra clay yellow, each with two black stripes. 2525. vittata. 



