478 
ANNUAL REPORT OF NEW-YORK 
remark is repeated in both the editions of his treatise on injuri¬ 
ous insects. This testimony in connection with the known 
fondness of poultry for other species of insects most closely 
related to these, led me to speak of fowls as one of the most 
efficient means for restraining this insect from increasing, in a 
communication to the Country Gentleman (vol. viii, p. 75). 
But according to the observations of C. B. Meek, Esq. (Country 
Gent. vol. viii, p. 106), fowls ana birds will not touch these 
insects. The fact related by Dr. Doy, however, fully confirms 
the statements of Dr. Harris. The discordant testimony upon 
this subject may be reconciled by supposing, what is probably 
the fact, that fowls after having suffered a few times from feeding 
upon these insects, will afterwards avoid them. 
This insect is a beetle which is known by the name of the 
Rose-bug in different parts of our country. It has doubtless 
received this name from the fact that it makes its appearance 
towards the middle of June, about the time that the roses com¬ 
mence flowering, and from the injury which it does them. 
When these beetles are not excessively numerous it is chiefly 
upon rose bushes that they are noticed, and they would appear to 
be most fond of this and other vegetation pertaining to the same 
natural order, including the apple, the plum and cherry. But 
when we see the avidity with which they consume the foliage 
of forest trees also, as well as garden vegetables, grain and grass, 
we are left in doubt whether they really have any discrimination 
in their taste. Elder, which from the earliest times has been 
popularly esteemed as peculiarly repulsive to insects, and 
sumach, they eat freely. Grape vines suffer severely whenever 
these insects are numerous. They may frequently be met with 
upon Indian corn. And they seem to be much attached to a 
worthless Aveed which in many of our pastures usurps the place 
of more valuable herbage, the ox-eye daisy (Chrysanthemum 
leucanthemum). Fond as they are of the wild and the garden 
rose, still there are some species of this shrub which it is reported 
that they never molest—the cinnamon rose (R. cinnamomea) for 
instance. And they devour with avidity the fruit as well as the 
leaves and flowers of the plants which they visit. 
It is somewhat remarkable that whilst in many places all over 
our country this beetle is excessively numerous, in other districts 
