6 BULLETIN 352, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
caused the impression that the injury by the beetle was greater than 
really was the case. | 
The larve of all ages feed in a manner similar to the adults, on the 
under surface, eating through the leaf to the upper epidermis, but 
leaving that intact. Occasionally a first-stage larva is found feeding 
on the upper surface, but this occurs only on very young leaves that 
have not entirely unfolded. 
The feeding preference for sickly or injured trees was marked. 
Such trees were invariably loaded with beetles, while the surround- 
ing trees may have been comparatively free from attack. The foliage 
on an unhealthy branch was attacked before the rest of the tree. 
The preference for the foliage on the lower limbs to that of the 
upper was still more conspicuous, for the lower limbs may have been 
completely defoliated, while the foliage of the upper limbs was com- 
paratively uninjured. (PI. II.) 
The period of economic injury due to this beetle extended over 
14 or 18 days after its first appearance in June. Probably the greater 
part of the feeding was done during the first three 
or four days. There was no injury noticeable 
from the later brood. 
Severe injury due to this beetle was confined 
almost entirely to the Early Richmond cherry, 
especially to young trees. (Pl. Il.) In a few 
== young orchards, within four days after the first 
Fic.2.—The cherryleatbeetle: appearance of the beetles, the foliage on the 
ae Muchenlarged. (Orls- Jower half of the trees was a withered brown, 
as if it had been burned. In two weeks the 
trees were almost completely defoliated. On peach and other varie- 
ties of cherry trees, although in some instances the feeding appeared 
quite severe, there was little defoliation. 
DESCRIPTION OF STAGES. 
THE EGG. 
The egg (fig. 2) was first described by Chittenden (1899). Itis nearly spherical and 
bright reddish brown and has the surface deeply pitted with irregularly hexagonal 
areas. The eggs vary somewhat in size and proportions, but average about 0.75 mm. 
long by 0.65 mm. in width. 
THE LARVA. 
Except for the increase in size, all three larval instars are very similar. In the early 
part of each instar the larva is nearly uniform, very dark olive in color, about three 
times as long as broad, and with short stout legs. Itis broadest at the prothorax, which 
is about twice as broad as the nearly hemispherical head, and tapers backward to the 
ninth abdominal segment, which is slightly narrower than the head. Eachof the three 
thoracic and the first eight abdominal segments are more or less conically produced 
at the sides and bear long bristles extending laterally. Dorsally there are transverse 
rows of short bristles across the front of the prothorax and double rows across each of 
