14 
feeding on the roots of timoth}^ and other grasses, and Indian corn, in 
addition to clover, strawberry, and grape, which would lead to the 
belief that the species might have been originally a grass-feeding one. 
There is little doubt that the insect is single-brooded, and it has 
been surmised that it hibernates as a partly grown larva. The beetles 
which are to be found from June to September probably also 
hibernate. 
THE BEET TORTOISE BEETLE. 
( Cassida nehulosa Linn. ) 
An illustration of this species (fig. 6) and a short notice of it is pre- 
sented, for the reason that it is one of the few insects which derive 
their common names from the beet, and because it is destructive to sugar 
beet in Europe. There is, moreover, some likelihood of its becoming 
a pest in our ow^n country if it should ever be 
able to obtain a permanent foothold here. It 
is reported as having been observed in Cali- 
fornia in 1894, but as we have heard little of 
the insect since that time some doubt exists as 
to its actual establishment in America. It 
ranges through Europe and in Asia from 
Persia to Siberia, and, it may be that it is 
destined to become cosmopolitan. Therefore 
beet growers should be warned against it. 
-casdda nehulosa: beetle. I^ Europe this beetle fccds on lambsquarters, 
about 4 times natural size Atriplcx, and related plants, but when these 
(original, Division of Ento- i^t_ i, xj*i.i j-i. i 
^Qiogj.) plants become exhausted it devastates large 
areas of sugar beets. There are said to be 
two generations of the beetles produced annually, one appearing in 
August, the other in the autumn. The beetle is about one-fourth of 
an inch long and yellowish gray or pale green in color. 
Remedies. — The same remedies advised against other leaf -beetles 
would apply to the present species. 
THE SPINACH FLEA-BEETLE. 
{Disonycha xanthomelssna Dalni. ) 
Flea-beetles are among the most important enemies of the sugar 
beet, and of growing importance, as recent reports bear testimony. 
No less than a score of species have been observed to attack beets. 
Among the most destructive of these are the spinach flea-beetle, the 
pale-striped flea-beetle, and the black and red-headed flea-beetles, well- 
known forms in the East; but in some portions of the West and else- 
where others do more damage. They are most troublesome on very 
3"oung plants. 
Reports of injuries by the spinach flea-beetle to cultivated plants 
