6 



are the potato and various weeds belonging to the plant family Sola- 

 nacea?. In appearance — 



The adult beetle is very minute, measuring scarcely above one-twentieth of an inch 

 in length, oblong ovate in form, and light brown in color. The elytra (wing covers) 

 are usually marked with a dark transverse median band of greater or less extent, a 



The tobacco grower will be able to recognize the insect by its 

 flea -like manner of jumping when disturbed and the accompanying 

 illustration (fig. 2). 



The eggs are laid at or near the roots of the food plant, and the 

 young on hatching enter the soil and feed on the young roots. The 

 adults feed on the leaves of the tobacco. Their work is indicated by 

 either small brown spots or minute holes. The adults are chewing- 

 insects and gnaw off and swallow portions of the leaf. As the insects 



continue feeding these small holes 

 increase in size, and badly damaged 

 leaves become very ragged in ap- 

 pearance. 



REMEDIES. 



The flea-beetle usually destroys 

 only the first few leaves of the 

 larger plants. The standard rem- 

 edy in the tobacco districts on the 

 mainland is Paris green applied as 

 a spray in the proportion of 1 

 pound of Paris green to about 100 

 gallons of water. In the use of 

 Paris green the operator should 

 know that the substance is insolu- 

 ble, or very slightly soluble, in 

 water. The fact that the minute crystals of Paris green are only in 

 suspension makes it necessary to keep the mixture of Paris green and 

 water constantly stirred to have the spray of uniform quality. If the 

 mixture is not constantly agitated, a portion of the plants will receive 

 little or none of the poison and those sprayed last — that is, with the 

 mixture in the bottom of the spraying outfit — will get the larger 

 part of the Paris green. This undue amount will burn the leaves and 

 might cause considerable damage if by chance the Paris green is of 

 low grade. 



As in dealing with cutworms, preventive measures will be found the 

 most desirable method of controlling the flea-beetle. Regarding this 

 method of control Doctor Howard says: 



The destruction of weeds, particularly solanaceous weeds, along the margins of the 

 field, will be of positive benefit in reducing the numbers of this insect, as well as 



Fig. 2. — The tobacco flea-beetle (Epitrix parvula). 



a, Adult beetle enlarged about fifteen times; 



b, young larva; /, pupa; c, d, e, portions of the 

 larva greatly enlarged (from Chittenden). 



a F. H. Chittenden. V. S. Dept. Agr., Bureau of Entomology Bui. 10 (n. s. ), p. 80, 

 1898. 



