80 
RECENT OBSERVATIONS. 
August IS, 1S97, in C()iui)aiiy with Mr. F. C. Pratt, the writer found 
niiiiierous jmpa* of Kpitrix at the roots of Jamestown weed (JJatiira 
fit ramoni urn) iiUil the common ni<i:htshade {iSolanumnujnim) and a few 
larva' of at leiist two si)ecies. The i)ui)a* eouUl not be i)ositively identi- 
tied at the time, and as both larva* and i)ui)a* are exceedingly delicate 
only II i>ortion of the material obtained was reared. The pupie were 
most numerous within a very short distance of the surface of the earth, 
but were found to the depth of an inch, and, in one or two cases two or 
three inches, from the bases of the stems of the host plant, one individual 
being found at a distance of about 
four inches, under a stone, show- 
ing that under favoring conditions 
the larva- travel under, or more 
l)robably over, the earth, and when 
this is moist with dew. Three 
species of Epitrix {cucumcrisyfus- 
culdj and 2)arvula) wn^re found on 
these plants; hence it was impos- 
sible to identify all the immature 
stages. Such pupa- as developed, 
however, proved to be jyarrula. 
One bred August -3 remained at 
least live days in the pupal con- 
dition. Subsequently other larvie 
and pupa- were found, but none 
during the tirst week of Sei)tem- 
ber, and it would seem probable 
Fio. m.—Eintr-ix pnrvvla .- a, adult beetle; ft, larva, 
lateral view ; c. head of larva ; d. posterior leg of 
same ; e, anal sejixiifHt, dorsal view ; /, pupa ; a, h, 
/. eiilartied about tifteen times; c, d, e.uioro en- 
larged (orijrinal). 
that the last generation of the year develops in this latitude toward 
the end of August. IJeetles were found on eggplant early in October, 
but in decreased numbers, and it is not impossible that there may be a 
later generation; but this is not probable. 
The adult beetle is very minute, measuring scarcely above one- 
twentieth of an inch (1.5"'"') in length, oblong ovate in form, and light 
brown in color. The elytra are usually marked with a dark transverse 
median band of greater or less extent. (See Hg. 18, a.) 
The egg of this species, or of the genus, for that matter, appears never 
to have been observed. 
The larva is illustrated at b. In a general way it res^bles Diabro- 
tica, having the same number of segments, joints of legs, anteun.T, and 
palpi. It is, of course, more minute, measuring only a trifle above an 
eighth of an inch in length (3.5""") wlien tally grown. It is delicate 
and filiform or thread-like, milk white in color, except the head, which 
is honey yellow with dark(-r brown niouth-parts and sutures. (See c.) 
