110 
Fig. 27. — Monocrepidius vespertinus: a, Larva, 
side view; b, larva, dorsal view: c, beetle — 
all three times natural size (original). 
Numerous individuals of this click-beetle were observed by the 
writer during the first two weeks of July at Colonial Beach, Ya. (which 
is about 45 miles south of Washington, D. C), in beds of beans where 
no other plants grew. Search was made for the larva?, but it was evi- 
dently not the season for them, as none were found. There can be 
no doubt of their infesting beans, as 
at this time the species in question 
was the most abundant of all insects 
observed in that field. The larva and 
beetle are shown in figure 27. 
NOTES ON FLEA-BEETLES. 
Among other injurious forms of 
insect life that were noticeable by 
their numbers during the season of 
1900, flea-beetles of several species 
occupied an important place. Some 
of the injurious forms which were 
attached to special plants and some of 
the more striking instances of injury 
by species of omnivorous tendencies will be mentioned in connection 
with other observations that were made concerning them. Daring 
1901 some species were injurious, but, as a rule, not so abundant and 
troublesome as in the preceding year. 
The Pale-striped Flea-beetle {Systena Nando Mels.). — The pale-striped 
flea-beetle was one of the most abundant and troublesome forms dur- 
ing the year 1900. In the latter half of May and early June it was 
noticed b}^ the writer and others in greater abundance in Maryland 
and Virginia near Washington than in any previous year, and was 
concerned in inj iry to beans in several localities. It was reported to 
be troublesome to the same crop at Woodside. Md., and St. Elmo. Va., 
by Messrs. Olds and Pratt of this Department, respeetivelv. The lat- 
ter reported that during June it did great damage to pole and bush 
Lima beans, while the ordinary field or garden beans were scarcely 
touched. In some cases replanting was necessary. The occurrence 
of the beetles in considerable numbers on other cultivated plants as 
well as upon weeds was noticed, but damage was observable only to 
beans in the localities mentioned. Beets were also the subject of attack, 
as observed by the writer, and reports of injury to beets reached us 
from different regions. This crop, however, was not severely injured, 
the beetles seeming to prefer the leaves of bean when they were 
obtainable to any other food crop. In other more distant localities it 
will be noticed that beans and peas were also much injured and beets 
suffered considerably in Michigan and Colorado, as reported. 
June 18, 1900, we received specimens of this species together with 
