114 
preceding case, with S. blanda. August 17 1892, we received from 
Mr. Geo. Lamoreux. North Hector, N. Y.. specimens of this beetle, 
with the statement that it fed on the leaves of grape and was noticed 
also on potato tops and on Canada thistle. June 18, 1900, we again 
received specimens of beetles together with S. blanda^ with report that 
they were injurious to several acres of white pole beans at Milo Center, 
N. Y. Our correspondent, Mr. A. H. Ansley, stated that nearly one- 
fourth of the plants above ground at the time of writing were riddled 
by the insects. Attack was first noticed June 16. when only an occa- 
sional plant was being eaten, but at the date of writing many more 
of the beetles were seen, and the first plants infested were dried and 
crisp except a young center leaf just budding out. Sweet corn and 
other plants in the vicinity appeared to be exempt from attack. 
This flea-beetle is shining black throuo-hout and may be distin- 
guished from frontalis, to which it is nearly allied, by the characters 
given in the consideration of that species (fig. 2S). 
According to Horn, the distribution of S. frontalis in the United 
States extends •'over the entire region east of the Rocky Mountains." 
Early in the past decade the writer had occasion to observe this flea- 
beetle in great numbers at work on a variety of weeds growing in the 
vicinity of the District of Columbia. From an account published in 
the Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington in June. 
1892 (Vol. II. p. 266). the following list of observed food plants of the 
beetles with other notes is taken: 
Smartweed (Polygonum hydrbpiper), dock (Rumex spp.), daisy (Chrysanthemum 
leucanthemum) , flea-bane (Erigeron canadensis and j^hiladelphicus), plantain (Plantago 
major and lanceolata), ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiicfolia and trijida), golden rod (Soli- 
dago spp. ), catnip (Nepeta cataria), Brunella vulgaris, and species of vervain (Verbena 
spp. ). When found upon the smartweed the little insects had riddled the leaves 
with holes. On dock they were also numerous. They choose by preference the ten- 
derest leaves of young plants, those of only a few days' growth being frequently 
attacked, but they infest as well plants that are more mature. Their work varies 
according to the plant attacked, but in general they eat out little holes here and there 
after the manner of other flea-beetles. On warm days they are quite active and vora- 
cious. The beetles abound throughout the summer months and occur on a number 
of other weeds, particularly of the Composita?. besides those mentioned. 
This species is given brief consideration by Messrs. Forbes and 
Hart (Bui. 60, Univ. 111. Agr. Exp. Sta.. 1900, p. ±67), reference to 
its occurrence on sugar beet at Urbana, 111., and in New York being 
noted. An original illustration of the adult is also furnished. The 
name of smartweed flea-beetle has been proposed, and this name has 
been adopted in the present article. 
The Toothed Flea-beetle ( Chaetocnema denticulata 111.).— This insect 
occurred in unusual numbers in 1900, making its first appearance 
during the first week of April on grasses. May 14 ihe writer's atten- 
tion was called to the work of the beetles on sweet corn near Cabin 
