WITH COMPLIMENTS OF
O. LUGGER.
\ FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE . 7>
ENTOMOLOGIST
OF THE
State Experiment
Station
OF THE
University of Minnesota,
To the Governor,
FOR THE YEAR 1899. /
BY OTTO LUGGER,
Professor of Entomology,
university of minnesota.
ST. PAUL:
McGill-Warner Company.
1899.
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
State Experiment Station, )
University of Minnesota. }•
December 31, 1899. J
To His Excellency, John Lind, Governor of Minnesota:
Sir — In accordance with the law, I have the honor to
present herewith my fifth annual report as Entomologist
of the Experiment Station of the University of Minnesota
for the year ending December 31, 1899.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
Otto Lugger.
FINANCIAL REPORT.
1S98.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
1899.
Jan.
No. of Vouchers. Amount.
To salary and labor for August, 1898 1-4 $145.00
postage 5 15.00
bill of Art Engraving Co 6 1 7.50
." "J. H. Herbst 7 2.05
" " Noyes Bros. & Cutler 8 .90
" " Zimmerman Bros 9 9.50
" " F. Beer 10 4.15
trips to Mankato and Owatonna 11-12 10.54
express, ice and expenses 13-14 7.55
salary and labor for September, 1898 1-3 115.00
bill of Art Engraving Co 4 20.00
" "C.T.Leonard 5 .60
" "J. H. Fough 6 3.30
" " N. Y. Entomological Soc 7 4.00
" " Art Engraving Co 8 22.35
trips to Pipestone, Duluth, Randolph,
Rochester 9-10 17.49
express 11 .60
bill of Zimmerman Bros 12 19.33
St. Anthony Park Ice Co 13 2.00
trip to Fergus Falls 14 6.50
meat and expenses 15 5.20
salary and labor for October, 1898 1-4 120.00
bill of Art Engraving Co 5 22.35
" " Brooks Bros 6 2.67
" " stamps 7 5 00
trip to Pipestone 8 3.50
bill of Zimmerman Bros 9 3.00
freight 10 2.25
bill of G. Fock 11 10.90
salary and labor for November, 1898 12-14 90.00
bill of G. E. Stechert 15 24.23
•' " Art Engraving Co 16 32.40
" •' Zimmerman Bros 17 3.12
" " Whitall, Tatum & Co 18 35.15
expenses 3.15
salary for December, 1898 1-3 90.00
bill of Art Engraving Co. (ill. for Report). 4 67.00
1899. No. of Vouchers. Amount.
Jan. 1 To bill of A. L. Quaintance 5 1.50
1 " " " American Stamp Works 6 2.40
1 " " " Gruenhagen Bros 7 5.41
1 " " " Hansen Bros 8 10.25
1 " " " Ballard City Expr 9 8.20
1 " " "J. B.Colt & Co 10 26.45
1 " " " freight 11 1.50
1 " " " John A. Schlener & Co 12 11.70
1 " " " Art Engraving Co 13 61.00
1 " " " Ben. S. Benton 14 1.70
1 " " " expenses 6.10
1 " printing 4th Annual Report ( McGill-War-
ner Co.) 1,456.00
Feb. 1 " salary and labor for January, 1899 1-4 105.00
1 " bill of Bausch and Lomb Optical Co 5 63.39
1 " " " N. Y. Entomological Soc 6 4.00
1 " " " St. Anthony Park Ice Co 7 5.50
1 " " " Gruenhagen Bros 8 2.68
1 " " " Art Engraving Co 9 44.00
1 Gesner & Washburn 10 5.22
1 " " " Zimmerman Bros 11 7.35
1 " " "J. B.Colt & Co 12 50.00
1 " express and expenses 13 5.60
1 " bill of G. E. Stechert 14 13.50
Mch. 1 " salary and labor for February, 1899 1-4 72.50
1 " stamps 5 15.00
1 " express 6 6.20
1 " trip to Champaign, 111 7 60.05
1 " " " Randolph 8 1.80
1 " bill of McGill-Warner Co 9 100.00
1 " expenses 1.95
April 1 " salary and labor for March, 1899 1-4 85.00
1 " stamps 5 15.00
1 " trips to Lake City and Randolph 6-7 5.46
1 " bill of Zimmerman Bros 8 5.60
1 " " " Gruenhagen Bros 9 7.00
1 " " "H. F. Wickham 10 12.00
1 " " " Allen Bros 11 2.50
1 " express, meat and expenses 12-13 6.47
1 "S.E.Olson Co 14 .50
30 " salary and labor for April, 1899 1-3 85.00
30 " bill of Noyes Bros. & Cutler 4 43.39
10 " " " A. Boss 5 11.02
30 " express 6 3.70
30 " bill of Zimmerman Bros 7 6.86
30 " " " Bausch & Lomb Optical Co 8 13.70
30
No. of Vouchers. Amount.
To bill of Canadian Entomologist 9 3.00
30 " trip to Eureka and expenses 10 4.60
May 31 " salary and labor for May, 1899 1-3 85.00
bill of Richards & Co 4 24.99
31
31 " " " Gruenhagen Bros.
31
5 1.15
4.00
4.00
1.00
White Manuf. Co 6
3L " " " Am. Ent. So "
31 " " " Bausch & Lomb Optical Co 8
31 " " " Mpls. Paper Co 9
31
31
31
31
30 " trip to Fergus Falls i6
30 " expenses in Fergus Falls 1?
30 " bill of Zimmerman Bros 19
30 " expenses
July 31 " salary and labor for July, 1899 1-5
31 " stamps
31 " bill of G. E. Stechert 7
31 " bill of Kennedy Bros e
31 " " " Noyes Bros. & Cutler 10
31 " " " Zimmerman Bros H
31 " " " Gruenhagen Bros 12
31 " " •' W. F. Lindig 13
18.70
3.00
.20
1.57
5.90
6.30
M.J.O'Neil 19 300
Bausch & Lomb Optical Co 11 6-25
Zimmerman Bros 12
St. Anthony Park Ice Co 13
31 " " " Kennedy Bros 14,
31 " " " Herbst Bros 15
31 " " " J. A. Standen 16
31 " " " express and freight 17-18
31 " trips to White Bear and expenses 19-20 5.00
31 " bill of G. E. Stechert 21 16.36
June 30 " to salary and labor for June, 1899 1-5 330.00
30 " to trip to Randolph 6 5 - 40
30 " stamps 7 150 °
30 " trip to Friesland 8 3 - 25
30 " expenses and express 9-10 5.90
30 " bill of G. E. Stechert H 16 - 94
30 " " " W. M. Sitnms 12 1 - 18
30 " " "W. F. Lindig 13 3 00
30 " " " W. Boss I 4 2 - 00
30 " " " C. Faber 15 8 - 90
14 16
3.50
30 " trip to Winnepeg 18 10.50
14.90
2.50
330.00
15.00
41.83
31 " expenses and express
4.00
1.30
4.36
5.70
2.00
31 " trip to Miller and expenses 14
$4,455.58
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Page.
Letter of Transmittal ii
Financial Report iii
Table of Contents vii
Introduction xiii
Beetles Injurious to our Fruit-producing Plants 1
Structure, Metamorphosis, etc 1
Classification 12
I. Coleoptera (Typical or True Beetles) 12
1. Isomera (Similar Joints) 12
A. Carnivorous Beetles (Adephaga) 14
Family Cicindelidas or Tiger-beetles 14
Family Carabidx or Ground-beetles 17
Family Dytiscida? or Predaceous Water-beetles 24
Family Gyrinidx or Whirligig-beetles 26
B. Club-horns (Clavicornia) 27
Family Hydrophilidne or Water-scavenger-beetles 28
Family Silphidae or Carrion-beetles 29
Family Scydmaenidx and Pselaphidx 30
Family Staphylinidx or Rove-beetles 32
Family Coccinellidae or Lady-bugs 33
Family Endomychidfe and Erotylidas 37
Family Cucujidse 37
Family Dermestidas or Larder-beetles, Carpet-beetles, etc... 39
The Raspberry Fruit-worm (Byturus unicolor Say) 41
Family Histeridae 41
Family Nitidulidas or Sap-beetles 42
Family Trogositidai or Cadelles 43
C. Saw-horns {Serricornia) 44
Family Elateridx or Snapping, Clicking or Spring-beetles... 45
Family Buprestidae or Flat-headed Borers 50
The Divaricated Buprestis (Dicerca divaricata Say) 52
The Flat-headed Apple-borer (Chrysobothris femorata
Fab.) 53
The Red-necked Blackberry-borer (Agrilus ruficoHis
Fab.) 58
Family Lampyridse or Fire-flies and Soldier-beetles 62
Family Cleridx or Checkered-beetles 64
Family Malachiidar 66
Family Ptinidae or Death-watch; Cigarette-beetles 67
The Apple-twig Borer (Amphicerus bicaudatus Say) .... 69
Page.
The Red-shouldered Sinoxylon (Sinoxylon basilare
Say) 70
D. Leaf-horns (Lamellicornia) 72
Family Lucanidx or Stag and Pinching-beetles 72
The Stag-beetle (Lucanus dama Thunb.) 73
Family Scarabxidx or Lamellicorn-beetles 75
The Rose-ehafer or Rose-bug (Macrodactylus subspin-
osus Fab.) 80
The Silken Serica (Serica sericea 111.) 82
The May-beetles or June-bugs (Lachnosterna spec.) 83
The Light-loving Anomala (Anomala lucicola Fab.).... 90
The Spotted Vine-chafer (Pelidnota punctata Linn.).... 93
The Goldsmith-beetle (Cotalpa lanigera Linn.) 94
The Southern June-beetle or Fig-eater (Allorhina nitida
Linn.) 99
The Indian Cetonia (Euphoria inda Linn.) 101
The Melancholy Cetonia (Euphoria melancholic a
Gory) 103
The Hermit Flower-beetle (Osmoderma erewicola
Knoch) 104
IS. Plant-eaters (Phytophaga) 106
Family Cerambycidx or Long-horns 107
The Broad-necked Prionus (Prionus laticollis Drury)... 109
The Grape-vine Phymatodes (Phymatodes amccnus
Say) Ill
The Belted Hickory-borer (Chion cinctus Drury) 112
The Oak Pruner (Elaphidion paralellum Newm.) 113
The Apple-tree Pruner (Elaphidion villosum Fab.) 115
The Two-spotted Hickory-borer Tylonotus bimacu-
latusKald.) 117
The Two-spotted Molorchus (Molorchus bimaculatus
Say) 117
The Painted Hickory-borer (Cyllene pictus Drur}') 118
The American Currant-borer (Psenocerus supernotatus
Say) 121
The Beautiful Hickory-borer (Goes pulchra Hald.) 123
The Long-horned Borer (Leptostylus aculiier Say) 124
The Apple Lepturges (Lepturges facetus Sa} r ) 125
The Twig-girdler (Oncideres cingulatus Say) 126
The Round-headed Apple-tree Borer (Saperda Candida
Fab.) 126
The Raspberry Cane-borcr (Oberea himaculata Oliv.).. 131
Family Chrysomelida? or Leaf-beetles 133
The Asparagus-beetle (Crioceris asparagi Linn.) 135
The Dominican Case-bearer (Coscinoptera dominicana
Fab.) 136
IX
Page.
The Grape-vine Fidia (Fidia longipes Mels.) 138
The Grape-root Worm {Fidia viticida Walsh) 139
The Strawberry Root-worms (Paria canella Fab. and
,, v 141
others)
The Cloaked Chrysomela Glyptoscelis crypticus Say)... 145
The Plum Leaf-beetle (Nodonota tristis Oliv.) 145
The Cherry Leaf-beetle (Adimonia lemoralis Melsh.).... 152
The Grape-vine Flea-beetle (Haltica chalybea 111.) 157
The Lesser Grape-vine Flea-beetle (Haltica ignita 111.).. 159
The Apple-tree Flea-beetle {Haltica foliacea Lee.) 160
The Red-headed Systena (Systena frontalis Fab.) 165
The Rosy Hispa (Odontota nervosa Panz.) 167
The Tortoise-beetles 168
Family Bruchidx or Pea-weevil Beetles 170
2. Heteromera (Different Joints) 171
Family Tenebrionidse or Darkling-beetles 172
Family Mordellidx 175
Family Meloidie or Blister-beetles I 76
II. Rhynchophora (Snout-beetles; Bark-beetles) I 78
Family Rhynchitidx
Family Attelabidx or Leaf-rolling Snout-beetles 180
Family Otiorhynchidse or Scarred Snout-beetles 182
The Imbricated Snout-beetle (Epicserus imbricatus
c N 182
Say)
The Gray Anametis (Anametis grisea Horn) 183
The Pitchy-legged Otiorhynchus (Otiorhynchus ovatus
Linn.) 184
The Fuller's Rose-beetle (Aramiges Fulleri Horn) 186
Family Curculionidx or Genuine Snout-beetles 186
The New York Weevil {Ithycerus noveboracensis For-
ster) 187
The Plum-gouger (Coccotorus scutellaris Lee.) 193
The Apple Curculio (Anthonomus quadrigihbus Say)... 196
The Cranberry Curculio (Anthonomus suturalis Lee.).. 199
The Strawberry Curculio (Anthonomus signatus Say). 199
The Plum Curculio (Conotrachelus nenuphar Hbst.).... 201
The Walnut Curculio (Conotrachelus juglandis Lee.)... 207
The Quince Curculio (Conotrachelus era txgi Walsh).... 207
The Strawberry Crown-borer (Tyloderma fragariee
Ril.)
209
The Grape Curculio (Craponius imequaiis Say) 210
The Grape-vine Gall-beetle (Ampeloglypter Sesostris
Lee),
212
The Chestnut Weevil (Balaninus caryatrypes Boh.) 215
Family Brenthidx or Brenthids 2i6
Family Calandridie or Bill-bugs; Grain-weevils 217
Page.
Family Scolytidx or Bark-beetles; Engraver-beetles 220
The Apple Bark-beetles [Monarthrum mali Fitch) 222
The Pear-blight Beetle {Xyleborus pyri Peck) 226
The Fruit Bark-beetle (Scolytus rvgulosus Ratz. ) 229
The Hickory Bark-beetle (Scolytus 4-spinosus Say) 231
Family Anthribidx or Fungus-beetles 234
COLEOPTERA
OR
BEETLES.
INTRODUCTION.
The fifth annual report of the Entomologist of the State
Experiment Station of the University of Minnesota, respect-
fully submitted to His Excellency, Governor John Lind, con-
tains an account of all beetles found in Minnesota which in
their larval and adult stages are destructive to our fruit-
bearing trees, shrubs and canes, and which frequently cause
considerable losses to our fruit-growers.
As orchards are now established in many parts of the
state, and as the insects destructive to the plants are not as
well known to our horticulturists as they are to those in the
older settled regions of the United States, where horticul-
ture as a business has been carried on for many years, a re-
port describing and illustrating these insects, and giving the
best remedies to prevent their injurious influence, is much
needed. It was, however, impossible to describe all the
numerous and destructive insects found in our orchards in
one single report, and for this reason only the very import-
ant order of beetles is described in the following pages. Since
the equally important order of butterflies and moths has
been treated in a similar manner in the fourth annual re-
port, the present one may be called a continuation of the
same, and it is the intention to describe the rest of the in-
sects injurious to the same plants in the next report.
It would, perhaps, have been best to have the insects de-
scribed in this report arranged according to their food-
habits, but to make it also useful to students of our public
schools, etc., the insects are arranged according to the class-
ification of Coleoptera usually adopted, and the different
families have been described in a few words.
There remains for the Entomologist the pleasant duty of
expressing his sincere thanks to all persons that have aided
him in many ways in his work. Especial thanks are due to
His Excellency, Governor John Lind, who always took great
interest in the work of the Entomologist, and also to the
different newspapers, who with unfailing courtesy published
all articles written for the instruction of the farmers in re-
gions infested by injurious insects. The Chicago, St. Paul,
Minneapolis and Omaha, the St. Paul and Duluth,the North-
ern Pacific, the Minneapolis and St. Louis, the Great North-
ern, and the Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie Rail-
road Companies also deserve thanks for their liberality in
furnishing free transportation over their roads whenever
such was asked.
The descriptions of many of the insects given are taken
from a number of sources, but mainly from the excellent
works of Saunders, Smith, Comstock, Forbes, and of the
Annual Reports of the Division of Entomology. Most of the
illustrations are old, and many were kindly loaned by Dr.
L. 0. Howard, Chief of the Entomological Division of the
Department of Agriculture. The Art Engraving Co., of St.
Paul, prepared some of the illustrations for the printer, and
deserves credit for its good work.
Otto Lugger.
BEETLES
(Coleoptera)
INJURIOUS TO OUR FRUIT-PRODUCING PLANTS.
This extensive Order of insects embraces over 80,000 differ-
ent kinds of beetles, of which over 11,000 species are found in
North America north of Mexico. A very large number of de-
structive beings is placed in this order. They are not alone in-
jurious to the foliage and fruit, but also to the very trunks and
roots of trees. Some of them exist freely exposed in all their
stages, while many more live hidden in infested plants, in fruit,
in seeds, and in the soil near by. Notwithstanding the various
forms at home in all conceivable places, they are readily recog-
nized as beetles, and only a very few rare species may give the
farmer trouble in placing them in the Order to which they belong.
In a few words the following definition will describe all kinds of
beetles : they possess a pair of horny wing-covers called elytra,
which meet on the back in a straight line, i. e., do not overlap, and
beneath these horny organs are the true -wings, composed of more
or less delicate membranes. The mouth-parts are formed for
biting, not for sucking. The metamorphosis is complete, or, in
other words, the different stages do not resemble each other, and
the pupa is inactive, neither moving about nor taking food.
Any insect possessing the above characteristics is a beetle, and
in Minnesota there need be no difficulty in recognizing it as
such. The scientific term Coleoptera is derived from two Greek
words : coleos, a sheath, and pteron, a wing. This name character-
izes these insects very well, as the horny and sheath-like elytra or
wing-covers protect the delicate true wings below. Sometimes
these elytra cover the whole upper part of the abdomen as well.
Although they occupy the position of the fore-wings, they are,
perhaps, not true wings at all, as in all events they are not used
for flight. The hind-wings are membranous and excellent organs
for flight, being mostly very large, with few but strong support-
ing veins. When not in use these wings are snugly folded be-
2 BEETLES.
neath the horny wing-covers. To enable the heetle to fold such
large organs beneath the very much smaller elytra they are not
only folded lengthwise like a fan, but also crosswise, which is
made possible by a sort of hinge or joint beyond their middle. The
structure of both elytra and true wings can be best studied by
Fig. 1. — Upper surface of Necrophorus americanus: a, mandible; b, maxillary
palpus; c, labrum; d, clypeus; e. antenna'; f, front; g, vertex; h, occiput; /' n<ck;
k, eye; /, pronotum (visually callt-d prothor.-ix); m, tlytron; n, hind wing;
o, scutellum of meso-thorax; p, tnetanotum (or dorsal surface of meta thorax);
q, femur or thigh; r, r. r, ttrgites of the abdomen; s, s-\ S 8 , spiracles or stigmata;
t, t', t", tibia?, r, tibial spurs; \v, tarsi. Alter Leconte.
dissecting some common large beetle. Fig. t shows both an
elytron (m), and a true wing (n) ; Fig. 3 shows the same organs
in a Tigerd)eetle (Cicindela).
There are a number of beetles that do not fly, and, accord-
ing to the natural law that organs not used become in time
rudimentary, the lower or true wings have dwindled to almost
BEETLES. 3
nothing, or have disappeared entirely. In many cases of this kind
we find that the wing-covers do not simply meet on the back, but
that they are actually soldered together, so that the elytra form one
solid piece; the suture can, however, readily be detected. (Com-
pare illustrations 180 and 181).
The exposed parts of the body of most beetles are very hard
and horny. This is at least the case with all such as lead an
active life, and is very necessary to their very existence, not only
as a protection, but also because the muscles enabling them to run
or fly have to be fastened to this exterior skeleton. Less active
Fig. 3. — Upper surface of Cicindela: eos2, episternum of meso-thorax; epm
epimeron of meso-thorax; scutel/.. scute'lum; scuts, scutumof meta-tkorax; £> —
DS, dorsal segments of abdomen; J, vena tnarginalis; //, vena mediastina; III,
vena scapuHris; V, vena externo-media; VII, vena cubitalis, IX, vena interno-
media; XI, vena analis. After Ganglbauer.
beetles, and all others in their earlier stages, in case they are not
forced to search for their food or when surrounded by some pro-
tecting material, as soil, wood, or fruits, are usually softer; their
outer covering, which is composed of chitine, a horn-like sub-
stance, is in such cases soft, frequently very much so. Such a
pliable skin is very important in the early stage of a beetle, as it
enables the larva to stretch during its rapid growth, and to form
the organs of the adult insect while changing to a pupa.
The biting mouth-parts are well developed in all true beetles,
and we do not find some of them enlarged at the expense of
others, as in the case of butterflies and moths. The upper lip or
BEETLES.
labrum is usually distinct ; the mandibles are strong jaws which
can be used for gnawing and for seizing the prey; the complicated
maxillae are also well developed and are composed of several
pieces; the maxillary palpi are usually prominent; the lower lip or
labium is composed of several pieces, and bears prominent labial
palpi. All these parts are shown in Figs. 2, 4. 5 and 7.
BEETLES.
Fig. 4. — Under surface of male Cicindela: a, antenna or feeler; lbr, anterior mar-
gin of labrum; mrf, mandibula; mx. maxilla; p. mx, maxillary palpus; m, mentttm;
p. 1., labial palpus; s. g., gular suture; st, prosternum; st?, mesosternum; sf3,
metasternum; epsi, eps 2 . eps s . episterna ol pro-, meso- and meta-thorax; epm 1 ,
epm2, epimera of pro- and meso-thorax; v-vf . ventral segments of forceps; c 1 , c-,
c3, coxae; tri, tr2, tr3, trochanters; fi, ft, fS, femora; tiW-,tib\ tibs, tibiae; U, t?.
t 3 , tarsi. After Ganglbauer.
Btj c t
Fig. 7. — Head and thorax of Gyrinus from the side: ant. antennae or feeler; cl,
clypeus; lbr. 1at>rum; p. L, labial palpi; m. mandible; sr, prosternum; c, coxa of
front leg: each compound eye is divided into two parts, one above the antenna-
and one below. Afcer oanglbauer.
The Snout-beetles, which form the suborder Rhynchophora
of the order Coleoptcra, have the head more or less prolonged into
a snout or beak called the rostrum, which is in some cases longer
6 BEETLES.
than the rest of the body. Such beaks, as may be seen in the fig-
ures illustrating snout-beetles, vary greatly, being sometimes
broad and short, long and thin, or straight or curved. At the
very tip of this beak we find the sharp jaws, at least when the
antenna
compoundeye.
ABDOMEN.
Fig. 5. — Division of body; separated to show parts.
adult insect is still very young and has only shortly left the pupa.
The slender feelers or antennae, elbowed in the middle, arise from
the sides of the beak, and frequently fit into grooves, so as to be
well protected when the beak is inserted into food.
Fig. 6.— Byes of beetles: A, of Calosbm ;i; B, of Chrysobothris; C, of Prionus,
D, of Tomicus; E, of Geotrupes; F, of Tetropium.
BEETLES. 7
The compound eyes (Fig. 6) of most beetles are prominent,
and are of various forms : round, oblong, kidney-shaped, curved,
or in one case even divided in the middle, thus giving the impres-
sion that the insect possesses four instead of two eyes (Fig. 7).
Each eye is composed of many six-sided facets, varying in number
from a few to many hundreds. Some beetles found in caves have
^yy^xxrx&QXji
Fig. >i — Serrate Antennae and modifications: 1, serrate; 2, pe.'tinate; 3, bi-
pectinate; 4. flabellale; 5. plumose; tf, 7, 8, irregularly serrate, approaching the
Clavicorn type. After Leconte and Horn.
a /-Q
Fig. 9.— Clavate Antennae, 1-10; Capillary and Vetticillate, 11; Moniltiform, 12;
Lamellate, ld-15; Irregular, 16. After Leconte and Horn.
no eyes at all. Ocelli, or single eyes, do not often occur, though
some beetles have two or even only one ocellus. The compound
eyes of snout-beetles are usually small and round.
The feelers or antenna? of beetles possess various forms, some
of which are exceedingly singular and beautiful, resembling feath-
ers. A number of such feelers are shown in Figs. 8 and 9. To
S BEETLES.
give space to the numerous sense-organs located in them, the feel-
ers, usually composed of eleven joints, are either lengthened out
very much , are feather-like, or are like the leaves in a book, and
ill this manner have the entire surface greatly enlarged. The form
of the feeler serves to a great extent as a basis for classification,
hence its different shapes have received special names, as may be
seen by consulting the illustrations.
Like other insects, beetles possess a thorax composed of three
pieces, closely soldered together (Fig. 5). In most insects the sur-
face of all three pieces can be seen from above ; in beetles, how-
ever, only the anterior piece, the usually broad pro-thorax, is visi-
ble on the back. The two other pieces are hidden below, with the
exception of a small wedge-shaped piece, a section of the meso-
thorax, which is termed the scutellum. This is, in most cases,
plainly visible where the sutures of the elytra join near the pos-
terior margin of the pro-thorax. A study of the illustrations will
explain the anatomy better than a mere description. The abdomen
joins the thorax by a wide base ; the former is in many cases en-
tirely hidden and protected by the wing-covers, hence is rather
soft. But whenever these wing-covers are short, then the sur-
face of the abdomen not covered by them is hard and horny, as it
always is on the unprotected lower surface. When not covered,
the abdomen is not only soft, but also light in color; all exposed
parts are darker, and frequently beautified with markings of vari-
ous colors and patterns.
Besides the wings already mentioned the adult beetles have
as organs of locomotion six legs, which vary greatly in size and
shape, as may be seen in Fig. 10. Beetles which live in water have
them adapted for swimming; those that have to run about in
search of other insects possess very long legs to enable them to
catch their prey. Others again, which live upon plants, have
their legs arranged to hold on as tightly as possible, so as not to be
blown down by even a heavy wind, and still others, which hide in
the ground, have at least their front legs so arranged that they
can burrow with great ease. In fact, by looking at the legs of a
beetle the observer can soon judge what the habits of that insect
arc. In most cases the legs are the principal organs of locomo-
tion, and only in a limited number of beetles are. both legs and
BEETLES. 9
wings used with equal facility. At all events it is with but few ex-
ceptions easier for a beetle to run than to fly, simply because, in
preparing to fly, it is forced first to lift the wing-covers out of the
way to permit the folded true wings to come into action. Who-
ever has watched a June-bug, which, attracted to the light, had
dropped upon a smooth table, and has seen it try to escape by
flight, has also noticed how awkward it is, and that it has first to
crawl upon some elevated object to be able to unfold the true wings
at all. First the heavy wing-covers are lifted right over the head,
then the true wings are unfolded, and after a sort of pumping mo-
Fig. 10. — Natatorial Legs. 1-2; Fossorial, 3. Tibia?: urguiculate. 4; mucro-
nate, 5; clo-ed corbels, 6; open corbels, 7. Tarsi: lobed beneath 8; lobed and
with onychium. 9. CI iws or Ungues: pectinate, 10; serrate, 1 1; toothed. 12;
toothed and serrulate. 13; clelt. with eq'ial movable parts, 14; unequally c'eit, 15;
bifid also toothed, 16; cleft and divaricate, 1 7; connate at base, 18; with mem-
branous appendages, 19; chelate, 20. After Leconte and Horn.
tion the beetle eventually flies away, perhaps against the lamp to
repeat the ludicrous performance over and over again. The legs
of adult beetles are horny, and usually very strong. Each is com-
posed, as may be seen in the illustrations, of a number of joints,
i. e. the coxa, trochanter, femora, tibia and tarsus. The number
of joints in the tarsus or toes — if we can call such organs arranged
lengthwise by such a name — varies from three to five, the last one
terminating in most cases in a pair of sharp claws. The classifi-
cation of beetles depends largely upon the number of such toes,
which are, however, not always easily seen. In some cases the
terminal two are soldered together, or the last one is sunk in the
one above it, and sometimes it requires close study to detect the
real number of these useful organs. The lower surface of some
10 BEETLES.
or of all the tarsi, is clothed with small pulvilli, looking like velvet,
which arc used almost like sucking disks to enable its owner to
adhere to smooth surfaces.
The beetles undergo a complete metamorphosis. The eggs,
usually soft, white or colored, are deposited by the mother upon
or near the food required by the young. These eggs soon hatch
into larvae, which are commonly called "grubs," as, for instance,
the well-known, "white grub." Other larvae are covered with a
thick integument, as the young of our common click-beetles, best
known by the name "wire-worms." Most of the larvse are soft and
clumsy looking objects, with darker and horny heads, and three
pairs of rather awkward looking, sprawling legs on the first three
segments of the body, the thoracic segments. No false legs, as we
have them in the caterpillars of the butterflies and moths, are
found, but in many cases there is a sort of pro-leg on the last joint
of the body. The name pro-leg is rather poorly chosen for an
organ found in such a position. Sometimes the larvae possess
one or two rows of fleshy projections or tubercles along the sides,
or on the upper or under surface, by means of which they can
move in tunnels in the ground or elsewhere.
The )arva?t of aquatic beetles possess numerous oar-like or-
gans along their sides, which assist them in swimming about. But
all larvae of beetles which live enclosed in wood or fruit, upon
which they feed, have no legs at all, simply because being sur-
rounded by plenty, they have no use for them. As a general rule
larvse of beetles which have to be active in searching for food, or
which have to cling tenaciously to food obtained, whether it con-
sists of leaves or living insects, have longer and stronger legs well
adapted for such purposes. As all growth of a beetle takes place in
the larval stage, the larvse have to eat much, hence are always hun-
gry. They have to take food not simply to grow, but also to form
and to store up material for the future organs possessed by the
adults alone, and not found in the larvse themselves. Such larvae
have to throw off their old skin from time to time to enable them
to reach their full size, since their skins can not grow. After a
number of such changes or molts, the greedy grub has reached
its full size, and is then filled with a large amount of fatty ma-
terial, a store of surplus food. It now changes to a pupa. This
BEETLES. 11
change takes place in many ways, which will be mentioned later,
when describing the different noxious insects.
The pupa can no longer move about, but is helpless, and does
not take any food. In this condition it already shows all the ex-
ternal organs of the future beetle, but all of them are still enclosed
or encased in separate sheaths. Such a pupa is called an obtected
ptipa. While apparently quite inactive, wonderful changes are
being silently wrought, and all the stored-up food is being utilized
for this purpose. At last the pale, almost white pupa becomes
darker and darker, and the colors of the future beetle commence
to show themselves through the semi-transparent pupal skin, which
eventually ruptures, and a weak beetle with wings still small ap-
pears. The wings soon harden, the other members stretch them-
selves to their full length, and the adult can now enjoy life and
liberty. At first quite weak and pale, it soon becomes strong
enough to eat, court, mate, and die.
As a general rule beetles remain in the egg-stage but for a
few days ; as larvae they eat and grow from a few weeks to several
years. The pupal stage also generally lasts but a short time; the
adults in most cases are short-lived, but others hibernate as per-
fect beetles.
Beetles and their larvae feed upon all kinds of vegetable and
animal substances; some may eat parts of the rarest flowers, others
enjoy the rank-smelling carrion; some eat fruits of all kinds, and
even the most pungent spices do not escape their hungry jaws.
Still others are decided cannibals and eat other insects. Not-
withstanding their immense numbers, the order as a whole is not
very destructive, at least not in a state of nature. As a general
rule the wood-boring kinds prefer sickly or dying trees and thus
they act as scavengers, and by removing the dead material make
room for new growth. Many, if not most insects of this order,
feed upon plants that are of no use to man, and they even injure
or destroy weeds, hence can become our friends. But those kinds
that devote their attention to eating plants we grow for our own
use, or which destroy useful timber or manufactured goods, or
which invade our houses to eat material we wish to use our-
selves, all these are our enemies, and have to be treated as such.
Especially is the grower of fruit greatly troubled by such insects,
12 BEETLES.
and it will be the aim of the following pages to describe the nox-
ious, kinds, illustrate them, tell about their life-histories, and give
the most approved methods for killing them or for preventing
their ravages in other ways.
The beetles discussed in these pages are all, or nearly all,
either directly injurious or beneficial. They are arranged not ac-
cording to their food-plants, but according to the classification of
beetles, so that those interested in such matters may also find some-
thing of interest to them.
As far as a classification of beetles is concerned, it would of
course be impossible to give one that would include all the 11,000
beetles found in the United States, or even those occurring in Min-
nesota alone. Nor is it the office of the entomologist to give one
in these pages, his main object being to describe beetles injurious
to fruit-producing plants, and to give the proper remedies against
them. For this purpose no attempt will be made to give even a
description of all the families that compose the Order of Coleop-
tera, and the reader will understand the reason when he learns
that the beetles of North America, exclusive of Mexico, are ar-
ranged in about eighty distinct families, representing upwards of
seventeen hundred genera.
Our recognized authorities in this order of insects make the
following primary divisions :
BEETLES.
(Order Coleoptera).
I. Coleoptera (Typical or True Beetles), in which the mouth-
parts are all present, and in which the front of the head is not
elongated into a beak or rostrum.
i. Isomera (Similar joints). The beetles contained in this
division have, with rare exceptions, the same number of
tarsi in all their feet.
A. % Adephaga (Carnivorous beetles). These beetles
possess thread-like feelers with distinct and cylin-
BEETLES. 13
drical joints. Here belong the Tiger-beetles, Ground-
beetles, Carnivorous Water-beetles, Whirligigs.
B. Clavicomia (Club-horns). These beetles have the
feelers thickened gradually or abruptly toward the tip.
Here belong the Burying-beetles, Rove-beetles, Lady-
bugs, Carpet-beetles.
C. Serricornia (Saw-horns). These beetles have the feel-
ers toothed or serrated. Here belong the Snapping or
Click-beetles, the Saw-horned Borers, the Fire-flies, the
Soldier-beetles.
D. Lamellicomia (Leaf-horns). These beetles have the
knob of the feelers composed of several leaf-like or
blade-like parts, which can be closed together at will.
Here belong the Stag-beetles, "Tumble-dungs," May-
beetles, Flower-chafers, Rhinoceros-beetles.
E. Phytophaga (Plant-eaters). Most of these beetles
possess thread-like feelers, which are frequently very
long, or shorter and slightly thickened towards the tip.
The fourth and fifth joints of the tarsi are consolidated,
and the former is minute, and sometimes difficult to de-
tect. Here belong the Long-horned Borers, the Leaf-
feeding beetles, the Seed-beetles.
2. Heteromera (Different joints). The beetles contained in
this division have five-jointed tarsi in each of the front and
middle legs, and only four in each of the last pair.
This section requires no division into tribes. Here belong
Oil-, Blister-, and Meal-beetles.
II. Rhynchophora (Snout-beetles), in which the front part of
the head is more or less drawn out into a beak or rostrum ; the
labrum is not distinguishable, and the palpi are reduced to
minute points without joints.
In this sub order belong a number of families, some contain-
ing but a very few genera or even species. Here, belong the
Broad-snouted beetles, the True Snout beetles, such as the
Nut-weevils, the Rice and "Bill-bugs," the Leaf-rollers, and the
Bark-beetles.
14- TIGER-BEETLES.
COLEOrTERA (TRUE BEETLES).
Among" the true beetles we possess a large number of friends,
and, as it is just as important to know our friends as to know our
foes, so as to protect the former and combat the latter, a descrip-
tion of them should find a place in these pages.
I. TSOMERA. (Similar joints).
A. CARNIVOROUS BEETLES.
( Adephaga ).
Beetles of this group are numerous, and a number of species
will be described and illustrated. Most of these insects prey
upon others, and destroy large numbers of plant-eating insects.
A few of them have, however, a mixed diet, and also eat the
pollen of flowers, seeds of grasses, grains still in the milky state,
and similar substances. Such exceptional beetles can usually be
recognized by their form, which is quite stout and heavy. In
fact they must have more space in their stomach, and must have
longer intestines to accommodate such bulky food than beetles
that live on the concentrated food obtained by eating other in-
sects. But the former also eat insects, when not as adults they
do so as larva?; hence they are friends, though they are not so
beneficial as those having a strictly animal diet. A number of
families belong to the Carnivorous beetles.
FAMILY TIGER-BEETLES.
(Cicindelidae) .
These are most active beetles, which use wings and legs with
equal rapidity and facility. They are active only during the sunny
and warm portions of the day, and are so swift in all their mo-
tions, either in flight or running, that they are not readily seen.
During the night, and also during dark and rainy days, they hide
TIGER-BEETLES.
15
under loose pieces of bark and flat stones, or burrow in the sand,
sometimes to a depth of four or five inches. A few species are
strictly nocturnal, but some others are found running about in the
sun during the day and may also be attracted to lights at night.
As a general rule tiger-beetles prefer sandy spots or sandy
roads, over which they run very swiftly, and as their senses are
very alert, they discover approaching persons very soon, and
escape molestation by running or flying away. But they run or
fly but a short distance, never leaving the sandy spots, so that the
eyes of the observer can follow their motions, and he can ap-
proach closer by taking the proper precautions. Their alertness
is shown by the fact that when settling again after a short flight
thev almost invariablv face the intruder. Thev are of medium
Fig. 1 1 . — Tiger beetles, all stages. Enlarged. After Brehm.
size, frequently less than three-fourths of an inch long, and pos-
sess brilliant metallic colors. Their wing-covers are usually
spotted with white. Their popular name, "Tiger-beetles," is a
well-chosen one ; they are veritable tigers on account of their fero-
cious habits, their swift movements, the markings on the elytra,
and the stealthv manner in which their larva? lie in wait for insects.
16
TIGER-BEETLES.
The illustrations (Fig's. 3 and 4) give both upper and under sur-
face of one 1 >i these beetles, dissected in part to show the details ;
Fig. 1 i shows the earlier stages of this beetle. The larvae of
tiger-beetles are as ugly as the mature insects are beautiful; they
live in vertical holes in the ground, usually in places similar to
those in which the adults display themselves. Such burrows are
often a foot or more deep, and are not infrequently found in
sunn}- spots in an orchard. Such larva?, with large and dirty col-
ored heads and equipped with immense jaws and long and
sprawling legs, usually watch at the mouths of their burrows for
any approaching insect, and thev are always ready to seize it when
it walks over such living traps, hidden by the watchful larvae,
which almost entirely fill the entrances with their formidable heads.
In addition to its six legs the larva possesses another peculiar
organ, which assists it in climbing up and down in its burrow.
This is a hump on the fifth abdominal segment, upon which are
Fig. 12, — Tiger-beetle, adult, larva and pupa. After Brelim.
two hooks curving backwards (Fig. 12). The larva thus
anchored ran not readily be drawn out of its trap by the contor-
tions even of large caterpillars that it may have caught. If cap-
tured the caterpillar is dragged into the burrow and is eaten at
leisure. When we thrust a straw into one of these traps, and
then dig it out with a spade or trowel, we usually find the fero-
cious hermit at the lower end of the burrow, biting savagely at
the straw. Sometimes by introducing a straw we can even pull
the vicious larva to the surface, since it is so tenaciously fastened
to it that it will act like a bulldog tearing at the throat of another
dog. By singing into the holes the larvae are sometimes induced to
GROUND-BEETLES. 17
come to the entrance of the pit, not to listen to the sweet sounds
produced by the inquisitive boy, but to capture the imaginary in-
truder. The pupa is also found in such burrows ; it is of the
usual form, foreshadowing- the future insect.
Tiger-beetles, and especially their larvae, are sometimes very
beneficial to owners of fruit-producing plants. The writer has
in one instance counted nearly a hundred such burrows in the
vicinity of a single large and isolated apple-tree, and many fat
caterpillars were devoured by the always hungry trap-dwellers.
Of course much of the food consumed consists of insects habitu-
ally running over the ground.
FAMILY GROUND-BEETLES.
( Carabidae) .
This popidar name is in the majority of cases a good one, as
most of the beetles belonging to this family are found upon the
surface of the ground in their adult stage. It is a large family,
containing, in the United States, about 1,200 species. Yet, not-
withstanding this large number, they are not seen as often as
might be expected, simply because the great majority of them are
nocturnal in their habits. This accounts for their dark color.
Others, however, are very brightly colored, some are metallic,
some blue, green, or almost white, the color depending on the
general color of the surroundings. By this is not meant that the
insects have the power of changing their color, like a tree-toad,
but that they are only found in such, places as blend with their
colors.
Some of these predacious beetles may occasionally be seen
running over the ground in gardens, orchards, and in fields, or
they may be seen even in the trees themselves, searching for food.
But most of them hide during the day under stones, boards, or
dead leaves, and they do not leave these shelters until night. Like
the tiger-beetles, the ground-beetles possess thread-like feelers,
which taper gradually towards the tip, and are composed of
18
GROUND-BEETLES.
joints which are nearly uniform in thickness throughout their
length. The legs, with but few exceptions, are adapted for run-
ning, which some of them do with amazing rapidity. In fact all
the senses of these heetles are very acute. Ground-beetles are dis-
tinguished at a glance from the tiger-beetles by having their heads
narrower than the pro-thorax. They depend more upon their legs
for locomotion than upon their wings, and but very few fly readily.
Some have lost their true wings almost entirely, and in such cases
the elvtra are soldered together at the surface on the back.
Fig. 15. — Calosoma frigid urn. Kirby.
Original.
Fig. 13. — Calosoma calidtim, Fab., and
a larva of another species.
The larvae (Fig. 13) are mostly long, flattened grubs, with
a body of almost equal breadth throughout. The latter is
usually protected on top with horny plates, and ends in a pair
of conical and bristly appendages. Most of the larvae exist in
the same obscure situations in which the adults live, and they
burrow just beneath the surface of the earth. Here they de-
stroy large numbers of the soft leaf-feeding insects, which
have entered the ground for transformation. Like the adults,
they are predacious. Others may, perhaps, also feed upon
some vegetable food like the adults, but they cause no losses of
any great economic importance. When fully grown they trans-
form to pupae under ground, where they have formed small
cells for this purpose. Soon afterwards the pupae change from
almost white to the distinguishing colors of the adults, and leav-
GROUND-BEETLES.
19
ing the old pupal skin behind, the young beetles reach the sur-
face.
Among the most useful of the ground-beetles several de-
serve special mention, since they help us greatly to reduce cer-
tian injurious insects. The Caterpillar-hunter, (Calosoma
scrutator Fab.), is one of them. It is one of our largest and
most beautiful ground-beetles, having metallic green wing-cov-
ers, margined with reddish ; the rest of the body is marked with
violet, blue, gold, green, and copper. It is shown in Fig. 14.
s- "" t.A.« It- /?.- -
Fig. 14. — Calosoma, similar to C. scrutator, Fab., below a Carabus. After Brehni.
This insect ascends trees in search of caterpillars, and wherever
the tent-caterpillars, frequently so destructive in Minnesota, are
found in large numbers, the beetles will make war upon them ;
but few other insects care to attack and eat such hairy worms.
It is a pleasure to a person interested in the well-being of his
trees to watch this beautifully armored warrior catch a cater-
pillar, and holding the squirming object in its powerful jaws,
suck out its life-blood. The empty skin of the victim is dropped,
and another unlucky worm is caught and treated in the same man-
20 GROUND-BEETLES.
ner. The appetite of the beetles is truly without limit, and they
eat all day if they have an opportunity to do so. It is too bad
that they are not more numerous in all our orchards and forests
in the north ; they are confined to the more southern parts of
the state.
Another species of caterpillar-hunters, (C frigidum Kirby),
is, however, very numerous in the northern part of Minnesota.
It climbs trees as well as the one described, but it is of a black
color, (Fig. 15). Wherever canker-worms abound large num-
bers of these beetles congregate, and they climb trees in search
of them- They detect such worms some distance away, and
rushing over twigs and leaves, frequently succeed in catch-
ing them before their victims have an opportunity to drop and
hang suspended by silken threads. It is amusing to observe, if
unsuccessful, how the baffled hunters try to grasp such a thread
with their front feet in which not infrequently they succeed.
Others are stationed below the tree, and many of the worms
that descend from the defoliated branches to enter the ground
for pupation are caught before doing so. The larvae of both
the above described beetles are also equally active and beneficial.
Though they do not climb trees they do good work above and
below the surface of the soil, always hunting about to find
some insects to eat. Another beetle of the same genus, the
"Fiery Hunter" (C. calidum Fab.), is frequently seen search-
ing for cut-worms and other food in the grain-fields in our
open prairies. It is readily recognized by its black wing-covers
with rows of reddish or copper-colored pits. It is illustrated in
Fig 13, with its larva.
When we turn over loose stones and boards lying about
the edges of fields and orchards, we frequently discover rather
large black beetles having thorax and wing-covers bordered with
blue. They seem to be very slow in their actions, and do not
usually attempt to escape. But not everyone likes to pick them
up with the fingers, as they have a sort of dangerous look about
them, possessing very formidable jaws. These insects are very
useful, and locust-infested fields contain them in large num-
GROUND-BEETLES.
21
bers. The. writer has counted a great many hundreds in a small
space in a ditch adjoining a field invaded by the army- worms.
Here they were resting from the night's labor of eating such
worms.
Fig. 1 6 shows one of the largest kind, the Western Pasi-
machus californicus Chd., and Fig. 17 a related smaller species,
entirely black, the ( livina impressifrons Lee.
Fig. 16. — Pasimachus californicus
Chd. After Leconte.
Fig. 17. — C livina impressifrons, 'Lee.
Enlarged. Alter Forbes.
To the carnivorous beetles belong also the "Bombarding-
beetles," (Brachinits species), which have a red head, thorax and
legs, with dark blue or greenish-blue wing-covers; they are
quite abundant in some moist places, where they hide under loose
stones. Such beetles (Fig. 18) are frequently mailed to the of-
fice of the Entomologist to find out their names and life-history;
but thus far they have never been received labeled "Kissing-
bugs," although almost all other queer looking or queer acting
insects have been received as such. These bombarding-beetles
possess little sacs at the hind end of their bodies, in which a bad-
smelling fluid is secreted, which is used as a means of defense.
22
GROUND-BEETLES.
In fact most of the Carabida? are well protected by strong odors,
as those handling them have found out to their sorrow. But in
this case the beetles squirt the nasty fluid at their enemies, and
as it changes to a gas on contact with air, it looks as if the beetles
Fig- 18. — Brachinus species. Enlarged.
After Brehtn.
Fig. 19. — Lebia grnnclis, Hentz. Division
of Entomology, IT. S. Department of
Agriculture.
were shooting in a wrong direction. A puff of smoke and a faint
pop is the result of such an explosion. This fluid colors the
fingers a persistent red, which shows that it is of an acid nature.
Of course this sort of defense is very effective, and we may
call these beetles "six-legged skunks."
Fig. 20— Amara. obesa, Say. a, larva; b, pupa; c adult d, e, f, g, details o)
larv*. After Riley.
GROUND-BEETLES.
23
A similar beetle, illsutrated in Fig- 19, is the Lebia grand is
Hentz. This similarity extends, however, only to the coloring
of the insect, not to its method of defense. The beetle is very
useful, and sometimes becomes quite numerous in potato fields
infested with the Colorado potato-beetle. It eats their eggs as
well as the young worms ; other small soft-bodied insects are
also pleasing to its taste.
There are other useful beetles belonging to this division, which
deserve a passing notice. In fields filled with eggs of locusts we
find numerous oval-shaped black beetles (A mora obesa Say), Fig.
Fig. 21*. Harpalus herhivagus, Sav.
After Riley.
larva; 6. head of same. Enlarged.
20 which run about very diligently in search of food. They
deposit eggs in the ground, from which yellowish-white worms,
also shown in the illustration, hatch in due time. These worms
search for the eggs of locusts, and devour immense numbers of
them. The larvae of another beetle, shown in Fig. 21. are also
found in similar places, and also do similar good work. They
transform in time into black beetles, the Harpalus licrbivagus Say.
A related beetle, the H. pcnnsylvanicus DeG., which is frequently
*In case the illustrated is enlarged, the true size is usually given by a fine lint-
near the figure.
24
GROUND-BEETLES.
found in orchards eating the larvae of the codling - moth and of the
plum-curculios, is also shown in Fig. 22.
It would take too much space to even mention all the beetles
belonging here. Most of them are useful, though a few may oc-
casionally cause some damage. The insect illustrated in Fig. 23,
(Agonoderus pallipes Fab.), is one of them, as it sometimes
eats into the sprouting seeds of corn. This insect is at times ex-
ceedingly common, as people who have strong electric lights in
Fig. 22. — Harpalus pennsylvanicus.
lie G. a, anterior tarsus and part
of tibia showing notch; b. beetle;
A, larva, reduced size; B, head;
c-j, details. After Riley.
Fie. 23. — Agonoderus pallipes. Fab., and
beetle inside of corn. After Riley.
front of their houses are apt to find out. Immense numbers of
them and of other insects are attracted, and sometimes they are
so numerous as to cover the sidewalk with their dead and dying
bodies. Rooms with open windows, and illuminated with lamps,
are sure to attract multitudes of them ; they seem to be of a de-
cidedly inquisitive nature, as they run over our bodies, possibly
in search of hiding places, and in doing so cause a sensation very
far from being pleasant.
In a general way nearly all such insects are either beneficial,
or at least harmless, hence are our friends and should be known
as such.
FAMILY PREDACEOUS WATER-BEETLES.
(Dytiscidac).
Predaceous Water-beetles are simply ground-beetles modi-
fied to live in water. They have the same blood thirsty instinct
WATER-BEETLES 25
as their relatives in drier places. Such beetles are also very
numerous, and are readily observed when we quietly approach a
pool of stagnant or standing water. We can detect their oval
and flattened bodies hanging head downwards, with the tip of
their abdomen at the surface of the water. When disturbed they
dive, and in doing so carry with them a bubble of air, which looks
like a liquid drop of silver, and which is utilized to sustain respi-
ration until the beetle feels safe again and rises to the surface.
Such beetles are well adapted for swimming, possessing a boat-
shaped body, usually quite polished, and having their long hind
legs broadly flattened and fringed with stiff hairs, so that they
can be used as oars. Such a leg is shown in Fig. 10, and it will
be noticed how admirably it is adapted for swimming. The
feelers of such beetles are long- and thread-like. The males of
Fig 24-. — Sucking di9k of male Dytiscus. Highly magnified. After Miall.
some kinds possess a very remarkable sucking-disk (Fig. 24),
which is produced by dilating the first three pairs of the front tarsi ;
the females sometimes have the elytra furnished with deep fur-
rows. Both structures are of use during the mating season. All
the water-beetles, and still more so their dangerous looking
larvae, which possess powerful scissor-like jaws, kept in con-
stant motion, are savage and greedy, feeding upon tadpoles,
26
WATER-BEETLES— APPLE-SMELLERS.
small fish and aquatic insects. They have no direct bearing upon
horticulture, except, perhaps, by destroying large numbers of the
larvae of mosquitoes, which annoy fruit-growers as well as other
people. The illustration, (Fig. 25), gives an idea of the form of
such beetles and their larv;e. The larvae, though aquatic, leave
the water when ready to change to pupae. This is performed in
an earthen cell made for this purpose in adjoining dry soil.
Fig. 25.— Carnivorous Water Beetles. After Brehm.
FAMILY WHIRLIGW-BEETIJES OK APPLE-SMELLERS.
(Gyrinidae) .
This family is mentioned here not because its members smell
like apples, the act which gives it its name, nor because they are
fond of that fruit, but simply to show how certain organs can be
modified for specific purposes. In these beetles we find that the
eyes are completely divided by the margin of the head, so that
they appear to possess the unusual number of four eyes (Fig. 7) ;
they are also remarkable for their long front legs, which are used
for grasping their food. The other legs seem to be absent, but
this is not so, as they are simply folded up in the smallest pos-
sible space when not in actual use. Every one knows these
social black and shiny beetles, small in size, which, however,
sometimes crowd together in such numbers on the surface of our
CLUB-HORNED BEETLES.
27
Fig. 26. — Gyrin us ma rinus. Gyll. Hind leg and tarsal joints of same separated
and extended. Highly magnified. After Miall.
lakes, especially in quiet water near the shore, that they cover
many square yards. If disturbed, all dart away, tracing graceful
curves on the surface of the water. The legs and the adult insect
are illustrated in Figf. 26-
B. CLUB-HORNS.
(Clavicornia).
Club-horned beetles are very numerous, but the character
expressed by the term "club-horns" is not always easily de-
tected. These beetles are divided into numerous families (32),
and some of them are of very great benefit to orchardists. Most
of them, however, are scavengers, and subsist upon dead or de-
caying material. Some live in water, others are inhabitants of
ant-nests, some prefer dung as food, others dead fungi and wood,
or woolen garments and dried meat, and even collections stored
in museums do not escape their hungry jaws. One family at
least enjoys nothing 1 tetter than leaf-lice and scale-insects, the
great enemies of our fruit-producing plants. It is impossible
even to mention the names of the numerous families of beetles
belonging here, and only a very few of the more destructive ones
will be given, so that something about the classification of beetles
may be learned.
2R
WATER-SCAVENGER BEETLES.
FAMILY WATER-SCAVENGER BEETLES.
( Hydro philidae).
These beetles, some of which are quite large and well
known, as they are attracted to the electric lights in our streets
in large numbers, even when a long distance away from ponds and
lakes, are found in stagnant water, where they either cling to
the plants growing on the bottom of such pools, or move about
in a peculiar manner, not swimming with strokes of both hind
legs, as the aquatic carnivorous beetles do, but by moving the
Fig. 27. — Hydrophilus. adult, larva and peculiar egg-mass. After Brelnn.
legs alternately as if walking. They possess short club-shaped
feelers well hidden beneath the head, so that they are not readily
detected. Their food is mostly composed of decaying material,
but if they have an opportunity to catch living prey they are not
slow to eat it as well. They breathe by carrying a film of air
on the lower side of the body, which gives them a beautiful sil-
very appearance. When they need a fresh supply of air they
CARION-BEETLES.
29
come to the surface of the water with their heads first. The illus-
tration, (Fig. 27), shows some of the stages of the largest of
these beetles.
FAMILY CARRION-BEETLES.
( Silphidae) .
These well known beetles devote all their attention to de-
stroying dead animal matter, even of the most putrid kind. A
few are, however, partly vegetable feeders, and at least one is
known in Europe as being very destructive in gardens. Most
people have seen some of them at work burying dead mice
and birds, for which reason they are called "burying-beetles"
(Fig. 28). They are black, with large spots or bands of bright
orange yellow ; some are polished, others have a thorax densely
covered with yellow hairs. If such beetles discover a small dead
animal, they immediately remove the soil beneath the same, and
Fig. 28. — Necrophorus burying mouse, and larva. Alter Landois.
30
ANT-BEETLES.
usually many individuals are seen working together and in
harmony. If the carcass has been covered up, the females de-
posit their eggs upon this store of food, and now leave ; the
larva; feed upon the buried putrid material. The strength of
such beetles is remarkable, as is shown by the fact that two of
them have been observed to roll a large dead rat several feet, in
order to have it rest upon a soil fit for burying. The illustration
(Fig. 29), shows another of these interesting beetles, belong-
Fig. 29. — Silpha and Hister. After Brehm.
ing to the genus Silpha, the members of which are all very flat.
The full-page illustration shows many of the different kinds of
scavenger-insects upon a dead mole.
FAMILIES SCYMAENIDAE AND PSELAPHIDAE.
These comprise very small beetles which are usually found
in ant-nests. They resemble ants in shape and color, and are
Fig. 30. — Claviger petted by ants. Afttr Brehm.
A feast for scavenger insects. After Brehm.
32
ROVE-BEETLES.
kept, like leaf-lice, for the purpose of furnishing sweet food for
their captors, the owners of the nests. Some of them are en-
tirely blind, and most of them are taken care of by the ants, who
even feed them. They are of no economic importance. Fig.
30 shows one of these peculiar insects tended by ants in one of
their subterranean vaults.
FAMILY ROVE-BEETLES.
(Staphylinidac).
This is a very large family of small beetles with a very
elongated slender body and very short wing-covers (Fig. 31).
But notwithstanding the short elytra the beetles possess ample
Fig. 31.— Different kinds of Staphylinidse. After Brehm.
true wings. Some of the larger species, measuring more than
half an inch in length, assume a very threatening aspect when
closely approached with the finger. Their abdominal joints be-
ing very movable, they raise the last unarmed joints, which are
frequently of a contrasting color, being yellow or red, as if to
sting, and in this way they are well able to scare those that do
not know them from the wasps which they imitate. Nearly all
these beetles are beneficial, as they are scavengers, feeding upon
decaying animal and vegetable matter.
LADY-BEETLES.
33
A few of them are found in blossoms, very likely eating pol-
len ; but as flowers produce an abundance of this material the
beetles cause no damage, on the contrary, they may even be useful
by carrying- pollen from flower to flower, thus cross-fertilizing
them.
FAMILY LADY-BUGS.
(Coccinellidae) .
These very beneficial insects are the best friends of our
orchardists, as nearly all of them seem to devote their time, both
as larvae and as adults, to destroying the injurious leaf-lice and
scale-insects. The beetles are rather handsome, almost always
of a bright red or orange color, with intense black spots ; or they
are polished black with red spots. The bright colors protect
them to a large extent against insect-devouring birds, since it
shows them that the food is not good to eat, they having learned
by experience that such bright colors coming from such insects
indicate nasty odors or, perhaps, a nasty taste. At all events in-
sects marked by such showy and conspicuous colors are not often
eaten. The bodies of lady-bugs are usually of an oval or hemi-
spherical form, very convex, and almost flat below. The short
Fig. 32 — Megilla maculata, De G. After Division
of Entomology, U. S. Department of Agriculture.
Fig. 33. — Megilla mucu
lata,T)eG.; parasitised.
After Division of Ento-
mology, U. S. Depart-
ment of Agriculture.
34.
LADY-BEETLES.
feet and still shorter feelers are well hidden beneath the tur-
tle-shaped shell and are not visible unless the beetle is in motion.
Beautiful as the adult beetles are, their larvae are horrible look-
ing objects, having their surface covered with long or pointed
spines ; others are protected by being covered with fine white
down. The pupa is not formed in the soil but inside the larval
skin, which splits open at the back, surrounding the pupa like
a tight-fitting over-coat with the front not closed by buttons. In
other cases the larval skin is forced backwards, and remains as a
little crumpled pad about the posterior end. The larval skin in
the former case is tightly fastened to the plants, and remains in
this position sometimes long after the beetles have left both pupal
and larval skins.
Fig. 34. — Hippodamia convergent,
Guer. After Riley.
Pig. 37. — Anatis 15 punctata, Say.
After Riley.
Fig. 35. — Coccinella sanguinea, Linn.
After Riley.
Lady-bugs are well-known, and may be seen in large numbers
upon trees infested with plant-lice and scales. Both larvae and
adults eat these beings very greedily, and destroy immense num-
bers of them. Without their presence and assistance plant-lice
increase so rapidly that in a very short time the plants would be
entirely covered with them, and as a consequence might suffer
very much, or would even be killed.
As the life-history of all lady-bugs is very similar, it is not
necessary to describe in detail all the species found upon our
LADY-BEETLES.
35
fruit-producing plants. A number of them have been illustrated,
and readers can learn their shape, etc., by consulting the illustra-
tions (Figs. 32-39). The fruit growers of California ought to
bless such insects, as they helped them to destroy a most de-
structive scale-insect which threatened to ruin the fruit-growing
interests in that state. For this purpose a lady-bug, ( Vedalia
cardinalis), and several other kinds were imported from Austra-
lia, where they were known to kill this scale, and in less than
two years the pest was almost exterminated. The- "twice-
stabbed lady-bugs." natives of the United States, also assisted
in the good work, and one of them, the Chilocorus bivulnerus
Muls, is fairly common in Minnesota (Fig. 38). The "two-
r.. d e
Fig. 36. — Arialia bipunctata, Linn. After Rile}'.
Fig. 38.— Chilocorus bivul-
nerus, Muls., and larva.
After Rilev.
spotted lady-bug," (Adalia bipunctata Linn.), which was rather
uncommon until a few years ago, is now found everywhere in our
state in many interesting variations ; it is the only one of the
lady-bugs that here enters houses for hibernation, and is fre-
quently mistaken for the destructive carpet-beetle, and killed
on that account. It is a reddish-yellow beetle with a single black
spot on each wing-cover (Fig. 36).
Some species of the lady-bugs are so minute that they are
barely visible, as is shown in Fig. 30. which shows some of these
small black beetles, with their larvae, in the act of eating the
dreaded San Jose scale, yet, notwithstanding their small size,
they do much good. All the above-mentioned beetles should be
protected, since they are most useful friends.
36
LADY-BEETLES.
Fig. 39. — Pentilia misella, Lee. — a, beetle; b, larva: c, pupa; d, blossom end of
pear eaten by the Pentilia. (Alter Howard and Marlatt), Division of Entomology
Department of Agriculture.
But there is one exception, one black sheep in the flock !
This exception is a plant-feeding species (Epilachna borealis
Fab.), happily not as yet found in our state. But as it will doubt-
less find its way to our fields we should be on our guard. This
lady-bug, both as larva and as adult, feeds upon squashes, cucum-
bers, and melons. The beetle is yellowish, with large black spots,
Fig. 40. — Epilachna borealis. Fab. After Division of Entomology, D, S. Dept. of
Agriculture.
LADY-BEETLES.
37
and is not as shiny as the other lady-bugs of equal size, but is
covered with a fine pubescence. The larva is yellow, and clothed
with forked spines, as may be seen in the illustration (Fig. 40).
There is no doubt that in case of necessity, or for lack of proper
animal food, some of the lady-bug's will also eat pollen, but their
usual food consists of plant-lice, scale insects, and the eggs and
soft bodies of other insects.
Pig. 41. — Lanffuria Mozardi, Lat. After Division of Entomology, U. S. Depart-
ment of Agriculture.
The families Endomychidae and Erotylidae also contain a
number of brightly colored beetles with long feelers. But none
are very common or destructive, with the exception of some
beetles belonging to the genus Langurxa, one of which has in the
larval state the bad habit of boring in the stalks of clover. It
is shown in Fig. 41.
FA1VI ILY CUCUJIDAE.
These beetles, usually of a Hat and elongated form, are found
under the bark of trees, and are believed to be mostly carnivor-
ous, but others are known to feed upon stored grain. Several
species have this bad habit, but the most important one is the
"Corn Silvanus" (Silvanus surinamensis Linn.), shown in Fig
42. It is a dark brown and flat beetle, with saw-like edges on
the pro-thorax. Tt also feeds on dried fruit- In such a case it
can be killed by putting the infested fruit in a tight-fitting wooden
box, and by pouring a wine-glass full of bisulphide of carbon in
the larger box the fumes thus produced will kill all intruders.
38
CORN-BEETLES.
Fig. 42 — Silvanus surinamensis, Linn After Division of Entomology, V. S.
Department of Agriculture.
There are many of these and other insects found on dried fruit,
since this is palatable to six-legged beings as well as to two-
legged ones. The fumes mentioned above kill all insects, with-
out leaving any odor or flavor behind, but whether the infested
fruit with the dead insects in it is fit for human food must
be decided bv the individual who wishes to eat it.
Fig. 43. — Lrfemophlseas fasciatas, Mels. Original.
Another species, the Lacmophtacus fasciatus Mels., illus-
trated in Fig. 43, is found under bark, but is also very common
near saw-mills, especially in those in which hard wood is sawed.
LARDER-BEETLES.
39
In running" over persons engaged in mills it will bite, even without
provocation, and may cause bad sores. It is a small and flat
beetle, of a light brown color, with highly polished wing-covers,
with a light space upon each. Related beetles are found also in
stores of grain and dried fruit.
FAMILY DERMESTIDAE
( Larder-beetles; Carpet-beetles; etc.).
Most of the beetles composing this family feed upon decaying
substances, or on skins, furs, and dried animal matter of all kinds.
The wing-covers completely cover the abdomen, and are not
\i!< ---■-■,
Fig. 44. — Dermestes lardarius, Linn. After Division of Eutomulogv, U. S. De-
partment of Agriculture.
shorter than it, as was the case in most of tbe scavenger beetles
mentioned thus far. They are usually small, but few reaching
a length of one-third of an inch. They arc oval or elongated,
ornamented with pale gray, yellow, or white markings formed by
minute scales which rub oft very easily, and are sometimes
40
CARPET-BEETLES.
arranged very prettily. Most of the insects pretend to be dead
when disturbed, and roll upon their back, on which they remain
for a long time. To this family belongs the Larder-beetle, (Der-
mestes lardarius Linn.), which is shown in Fig. 44. Both larvae
and adults enter houses, and for no good purpose, since they de-
stroy stored provisions, especially those composed of animal mat-
ter, as smoked meat, hides and feathers. The Museum Pest de-
stroys collections, and the Carpet-beetles (Authrenus scrophulariae
Fig. 4.5.— Anthrcrms strop/iu/ar/ie, Linn. Alter Riley.
Fig. 46.— Deimestidie and Ptinus at work. After Brehm.
RASPBERRY-BEETLES. 41
Linn), illustrated in Fig. 45, are well named, since they eat
woolen, carpets and similar material, often causing great losses.
In a state of nature such beetles are useful as scavengers, as they
soon remove bad-smelling and unsightly substances. A number
of these beetles of similar habits are also shown in Fig. 46.
But there is one exception. One beetle belonging to this
family shows better taste by eating raspberries.
THE RASPRERRY FRUIT-WORM.
(By turus unicolor Say).
This sensible insect, about three-twentieths of an inch in
length, is yellowish, and is covered with short, silky, gray hair.
It feeds on the flowers of the red raspberry, in which the eggs
are also laid. Here the larvae, which are white and nearly naked
grubs, hatch, and enter the inside of the berry, where they rapidly
grow. When such a berry is picked the culprit is found inside,
clinging to one of the sides of its pleasant dwelling place. The
beetle is not common enough in Minnesota to be of any great
economic importance; it is shown in Fig. 47.
FAMILY HISTERIDAE.
Members of this family of beetles are usually small, short,
rounded or angular insects, of a more or less polished black,
bronze, or greenish color, although some are brown or marked
with red, as the one shown in Fig. 29. The elytra are finely
striated or punctured, and do not cover the entire abdomen, but
are cut off squarely, exposing the last two segments of the same.
These are also very hard, and look like the wing-covers. Below
the elytra are ample true wings. The legs, which are adapted for
digging, as well as the short feelers, can be hidden in depressions,
and if this is the case the entire insect looks very much like a
black seed, especially as it also pretends to be dead when cap-
tured. .Such beetles abound about carrion and other decomposing
substances. The whitish and maggot-like larva? are found in
similar material, but occur also in over-ripe fungi, fruit, and
under loose bark of trees.
4-2
SAP-BEETLES.
FAMILY MTIDUL1DAE.
(Sap-beetles).
Sap-beetles are also small, more or less flattened insects,
which in most cases have the tip of the abdomen exposed beyond
the wing-covers. The pro-thorax is frequently provided with
wide and thin margins ; the legs are not specialized for digging
purposes. The beetles, both larvae and adults, feed on decaying
or fermenting sap, fruit, or fungi ; a few prefer carrion, and still
others are found among stored grain. They are especially numer-
ous among rotting fruit and vegetables, and about trees that have
been injured by bruising, and in such places they crowd together
in large numbers to obtain the fermenting sap ; beneath stored and
over-ripe fruit they also gather.
Fig. 47. — Byturus unicolor. Say. After Fig. 49. — Carpophilus hemipterus, Linn.
Saunders. After Smith.
A number of these beetles deserve a short description, as
they are frequently found about our fruit-producing plants. The
Carpophilus brachypterus Say (Fig. 48, plate 1), was very com-
mon during the last two seasons in the flowers of the apple.
Here they enjoyed a meal of pollen, which covered them to such
an extent as to hide them effectually. Going from flower to
flower, they no doubt do some good, but some also show their
appreciation of a good thing by eating holes in the petals, not,
however, causing any visible damage, as the petals soon drop off
anyhow. Another species, the C. hemipterus Linn., is frequently
very abundant in stored fruits, and seems to enjoy a box of figs
CADELLES-BEETLES.
4-3
beyond anything- else. Tt is illustrated in Fig'. 49, to show the
structure of such beetles, which could not be shown in Fig. 48.
FAMILY TROGOSITIDAE.
(Caddies).
Ips fasciatus Oliv., shown in Fig. 50, is sometimes very abund-
ant among and beneath heaps of carrots. It is a rather pretty
insect, shining black with two bright, interrupted, reddish or
orange bands across the elytra. None of these insects are espe-
Fig. 50. Ips fasciatus, Oliv. After Forbes.
cially injurious. This can not be said about the nearly related
species of Tenebrioides, frequently called "cadelles." -These in-
sects are found in large numbers in barns and mills, where they
feed on grain, meal and flour. In mills they can cause great
damage, not so much by eating the flour as by eating holes in the
fine and expensive bolting silk. One species (T. mauritanica,
Linn.), is shown in Fig. 51-
Such beetles are sometimes found in most unexpected places.
The illustration (Fig. 52) shows the work done by their
larvae in some books stored in a bin. Whether these insects were
after knowledge, and studied a Norwegian book or not, is left an
open question.
44-
CADELLES-BEETLES.
C. SAW-HORNS.
{Serricornia).
They contain numerous families of beetles, some of which
need description, as many very injurious insects belong to this
group.
;- >, ->rrr,-x
Fig. 51.— Tenebrioides mauritanica, Linn. AfterjDivision ol Entomology, TJ. S.
Department of Agriculture.
Cu Vy» to <t O
1? ? s
S*
e
S. o
(JJ *s p ? p.
_ _., r *. ^
T/3 _,, e «1l
Fig. 52.— Tenebrioides mauritanica, Linn, as a student. Original.
SNAPPING-BEETLES. 45
FAMILY ELATERIDAE.
(Snapping, Clicking, or Spring-beetles).
Notwithstanding" the large number of beetles that form this
family, they are nearly all readily recognized in all of their stages,
and every boy knows the acrobatic performances of the adult
snapping-beetles. If touched ever so lightly the beetle drops to
the ground, usually landing upon its back; after remaining per-
fectly quiet for a time, as if dead, we hear a sudden click, the
beetle pops into the air, and falling upon its short legs, runs
away. When we study the under side of the beetle to discover
the means which enable it to act in this peculiar fashion, we find
that the pro-thorax is loosely jointed to the rest of the body, and
that on its under side there is a curved horn 'which fits into a
cavity of the meso-thorax (Fig. 53). When such a beetle is laid
Fig. 53. — Elater ready to snap. After Smith.
on its back it bends in such a way as to bring the tip of the curved
horn to the edge of the cavity, and by a sudden release of mus-
cular tension, this tip slips and the insect is thrown into the air.
Most of our snapping-beetles are small, or of medium size,
but a few are quite large, sometimes reaching two inches in
length. As a general rule they are of a uniform brownish color;
some are black or grayish, and still others are gayly colored, even
metallic. The very elongated body tapers more or less towards
each end, and is sometimes flattened . The feelers are moderately
long, more or less serrated, very much so in the males of some
rather uncommon species. The outer angles of the very wide
pro-thorax are usually prolonged into points, which curve around
the edge of the wing-covers.
46 SNAPPING-BEETLES.
The larvae of the click-beetles live in the ground and in de-
caying wood; they sometimes eat other insects found in similar
places. These larva? have been named "wire-worms,' a name
that well describes the form and hardness of their bodies. They
are long, narrow, worm-like, very even in width, decidedly hard,
and of a brownish or yellowish white color. Resides a stumpy
projection on the last joint, acting as a sort of prop for the long-
abdomen, they have only the usual three pairs of jointed legs in
front. Nor do they need long legs, as they live well hidden in the
ground or in rotten wood. They are mostly vegetable feeders,
and there are but few cultivated plants which they do not injure.
What makes it worse is the fact that they are so well hidden, and
that they cause most injuries at a time when the plants are still
young and tender ; in fact, even seeds are frequently destroyed
before they have germinated. In this way fields of corn and other
grain are more or less frequently destroyed by wire-worms, and
as we have over 500 species of such noxious beetles in the United
States alone, the damage caused by them is not slight. A few of
these wire-worms are, however, somewhat beneficial, as they hunt
for and eat wood-boring larvae.
The larva of one of our largest species, the Eyed Elater,
(Alans culatus "Linn.) , is one of the few which largely subsists
upon other insects ; at least all the larvae kept by the writer in
decaying wood would soon perish if not provided with living in-
sects, which were soon discovered by these cannibals and de-
voured. The large, yellowish-brown larva of the Alans trans-
forms to a pupa, and later into a most striking beetle (Fig. 54),
black in color, the elytra covered with fine lines and flecks of
white scales arranged in ridges. But the most remarkable mark-
ings are a pair of large velvety-black spots, encircled with white,
upon the pro-thorax, which spots are frequently mistaken for
eyes ; the true eyes are, of course, situated at the usual place on
each side, of the head, and are rather small.
Such wire-worms as live in the ground, and which feed upon
the roots of plants, sometimes causing great losses to cereals and
to other cultivated plants, as the strawberry, are exceedingly dif-
SNAPPING-BEETLES.
47
ficult to reach with any material that will kill them. In fact, most
of the many remedies which at one time or another were claimed
as infallible, have proven to be of very little benefit.
The life-habits of the subterranean species may be stated
in general to be as follows : the beetles, which appear very early
in spring, and which may be found under loose bark, under stones
and boards, or in helds in which the sod has been turned over, fly
about late in May or early in June, during the warmer portions of
the day. After copulating" they deposit their eggs in grass-land, or
among weeds, or wherever there is an abundant vegetation of a
Fig. 54. — Alaus oculatus, Linn., and larva. After Harris
grassy nature. During midsummer the larvae hatch and feed
upon the roots of many plants for two or three years, when they
reach their full size. They change to pupae early in fall, and
soon afterwards to adults ; these, however, do not leave the
ground until the next spring. From this life-history it will appear
that we can not directly apply any poison that will kill the larvae.
By attracting adult insects to bait during the spring we may kill
a few\ The only possible method to get rid of them is good
cultivation and proper rotation of crops. Meadows infested
should be plowed during the fall, when the full-grown larvae,
48
SNAPPING-BEETLES.
pupae and adults are killed, at least many of them are. But the
younger ones are not, and as they remain in the larval stage for
two or three years, the fall plowing should he repeated many
times. Professor Smith recommends the use of crimson clover,
which should be sown soon after the beetles have laid their eggs,
and it should be harvested and plowed under so as to prevent
the development of the larva?. In our fruit gardens the wire-
worms can only be destroyed by constant attention.
Some species also feed upon flowers and fruit, but the dam-
Kijf. 55. — Wire worms at work. After Brehm.
age caused by them is slight. Fig. 55 shows a click-beetle with
a number of larvae at work, and Figs. 56, 57 anfl 58 show the
adults of some very injurious species found in Minnesota.
A few members of this family have the pleasant habit of
eating the eggs of our destructive locusts, hence are decidedly
beneficial. The larvae of Cryptohypnus bicolor Esch., which has
this very commendable habit, is shown in Fig. 59.
/" A
T6 e
Fig. 59. — Cryptohpnus bicolor, Eseh., larva. After Riley.
SNAPPING-BEETLES.
49
Fig. 56.-At>riotu S mancus. Say. Greatly Fig. 57. - Drasleria elegans, Fab
fe . . ^ . «. ._ « < rit-^Q t v p-nlnrp-pri . After t* ornes.
enlarged. After Forbes
Greatly enlarged. After Forbes.
*"-*
Fig. 58. — Melanotus communis, Gyll
Greatly enlarged. After Forbes.
Fig. 60. — Pyrophorus noctilucus. Nat-
ural size. After Brehm.
In Florida and Texas occur snapping-beetles which are very
luminous ; others very much larger occur in the tropics, and some
of our soldiers have no doubt seen such insects as the one illus-
trated in Fig. 6o, which produces a very strong greenish light.
50 BUPRESTID-BEETLES.
The writer has kept such luminous beetles for a long time in the
hollow joints of sugar canes, much to the delight of visitors. The
Cuban ladies make a singular and pleasing use of these living
gems by keeping them in little lace pockets upon their dresses, or
arrange them as a fillet for their hair. A ballroom with numer-
ous dancers wearing such "flashing" jewels is a very peculiar
sight. Fig. 60 shows one of these large beetles ; the two whitish
spots, one on each side of the pro-thorax, and the posterior part of
the under side of the abdomen, are luminous.
FAMILY BUPRESTIDAE.
{Flat-headed Borers).
These beetles, also called "Metallic Wood-Borers" and
"Saw-horned Borers," resemble the click-beetles in shape, being
usually rather long and narrow ; their bodies are hard and com-
pact, frequently looking as if cast of bronze. Their feelers are
rather short, and serrated on their inner edge ; the first and sec-
ond abdominal segments are soldered together on the ventral side ;
the head is deeply inserted in the pro-thorax, and the latter
broadens but slightly behind, fitting tightly over the base of the
wing-covers. The beetles do not possess the power of springing
when placed on their backs. The colors found in this family of
beetles are richer than those found anywhere else in nature ; some
species are pale brown or gray with brassy or coppery reflections,
others have the entire surface minutely roughened and indented,
looking like beaten metal. Still others are blue, green, violet or
golden, burnished in spots, or covered with delicate shingle-like
scales, seemingly made of polished metal. Such beetles are diur-
nal insects, flying about during the hottest part of the day, or dis-
porting themselves upon the trunks of trees, running about
swiftly, or resting, always exposed, as if proud of their beauty.
Some of them are very active, almost as much so as tiger-beetles,
and use their wings with great ease; others drop to the ground
when disturbed, or feign death, not trying to escape by flight.
BUPRESTID-BEETLES.
51
Most of the larvae of these borers live inside the wood of trees,
more especially beneath the bark ; others are gall-makers, or even
leaf-miners. Their larvae are very peculiar beings, being charac-
terized by an enormous expansion of the first thoracic joint, from
which the two posterior joints taper abruptly to the slender and
cylindrical abdomen. In other cases all three thoracic joints are
more or less expanded, though in some cases they are also nor-
mal. On account of this flattened appearance such larvae are fre-
quently called "flat-headed borers," a name very expressive,
though by no means correct, as the head itself is not flattened, but
appears as a small appendage upon the anterior edge of the flat-
tened joint or joints. Sometimes they are also called "tad-poles,"
for self-evident reasons. The larvae of typical Buprestidac pos-
sess no legs ; but, those of the mining species have cylindrical
bodies with three pairs of legs. The adult forms of these latter
are also much shorter than is usual in this family. "Flat-headed
Borers," sometimes named "Hammer-heads," infest not only
trees, shrubs and vines, but sometimes even herbaceous plants.
Some prefer dying wood, others attack apparently healthy and
vigorous plants. The pupa is formed inside the burrow or mine
made by the larvae, and is of the usual form.
Some of the worst pests of fruit-producing plants belong to
this family of insects, and the more important will be described
and illustrated.
Fi7. 61. — Chalcophora species. After Brehm
52 BUPREvSTID-BEETLES.
The largest of our common Buprestids is the Virginian Bu-
prestid (Chalcophora virgmiensis Drury). It is very abundant
wherever pine trees grow in forests. It is a copper-colored in-
sect, with the elytra deeply and irregularly furrowed. The lar-
vae are very destructive to pines, but are also found in other
trees- A similar European species is illustrated in Fig. 6l.
The genus Dicerca contains a number of kinds of a more robust
form, which have the elytra so strongly narrowed toward the
tips as to appear like tails. The wing-covers are very convex,
irregularly marked with elevated spots and ridges, copper-colored
or brassy, with greenish reflections. Their larvae infest a number
of trees, among them the peach, plum, cherry, hickory, beach and
maple.
THE DIVARICATED BUPRESTIS.
{Dicerca divaricata Say).
This beetle is fairlv abundant in Minnesota, and is illus-
trated in Fig. 62 ; it is from seven to nine-tenths of an inch in
Fig. 62. — Dicerca divaricata, Say. After Division of Entomology, U. S. Depart
merit of Agriculture.
length, copper-colored, with brassy reflections, and thickly cov-
ered with little pits. The thorax is furrowed in the middle ; the
elytra contain numerous impressed lines, and small, elevated,
blackish spots ; the tail-like tips of the elytra are blunt, and spread
apart a little like a swallow-tailed coat. Such beetles are found,
not very often, however, sunning themselves during June, July
and August on the trunks and limbs of old cherry and plum
BUPRESTID-BEETLES.
53
trees; or they are found running up and down the trunks, enjoy-
ing the sunshine.
The eggs are deposited in the crevices in the bark of such
trees, also in that of the peach. Here they hatch, and the young
larvae eat their way through the bark, and hereafter live in and
destroy the sapwood underneath. The larva has the general ap-
pearance of a flat-headed borer.
THE FLAT-HEADED APPLE-BOREK.
(Chrysobothris femorata Fab.).
The members of the large genus Chrysobothris are quite flat-
tened above ; the wing-covers possess irregular depressions and
elevations, and the pro-thorax has curved sides and is narrowed
behind. The species under discussion is well illustrated in Fig.
63. It measures from three-eighths to half an inch or more in
Fig. 63. — Chrysobothris femorata. Fab. Enlarged. After Division of Entomo-
logy, U. S. Department of Agriculture.
length, is of a flattish, oblong form, shines greenish-black, and
has three raised lines on each of the wing-covers, the outer two
interrupted by two impressed transverse spots of a brassy color,
which divide each wing-cover into three almost equal portions.
The under side of the body and the legs are of burnished
copper, the feelers are green. The insect varies . great-
ly in size, and there are a number of variations
found in the United States, some being very much brighter
in colors than others. The name, "flat-headed apple-tree borer,"
54- BUPREvSTID-REETLES.
is somewhat misleading', as this insect is by no means confined to
the apple, but injures a great variety of orchard and forest trees.
It is one of the most injurious of all buprestids. Professor Saun-
ders, in his book. ''Insects Injurious to Fruits," a book that ought
to be in the hands of every fruit-grower, gives the following life-
history of this pest:
"This pest is common almost everywhere, affecting alike the
frosty regions of the North, the great West, and the sunny
South. It is much more abundant than the two-striped borer,
and is a most formidable enemy to apple-culture. It attacks also
the pear, the plum, and sometimes the peach. In the Southwest-
ern States it begins to appear during the latter part of May, and
is found during most of the summer months ; in the Northern
States and in Canada its time of appearance is June and July. It
does not confine its attacks to the base of the tree, but affects the
trunk more or less throughout, and sometimes the larger
branches.
"The eggs, which are yellow and irregularly ribbed, are very
small, about one-fiftieth of an inch long, of an ovoidal form, flat-
tened at one end, and are. fastened by the female with a glutinous
substance, usually under the loose scales or within the cracks and
crevices of the bark ; sometimes singly, at other times several in
a group. The young larva soon hatches, and, having eaten its
way through the bark, feeds on the sap-wood within, where, bor-
ing broad and flattish channels, a single specimen will sometimes
girdle a tree. As the larva reaches maturity it usually bores into
the more solid wood, working upward, and, when about
to change to a pupa, cuts a passage back again to the outside, eat-
ing nearly, but not quite through the bark. Within its retreat
it changes to a pupa, which is at first white, but gradually ap-
proaches the color of the future beetle, and in about three weeks
the perfect insect emerges, and, having eaten through the thiri
covering of bark, escapes and roams at large to continue the work
of destruction.
"The mature larva is a pale-yellow, legless grub, with its
anterior end enormously enlarged, round, and flattened. At A,
BUPREST1D-BEETLES.
55
in figure 63 the upper side of the anterior swollen portion of the
body is shown. Whether this larva requires one or two seasons
to reach maturity has not yet been determined with certainty, but
the opinion prevails that its transformations have been com-
pleted in a single year.
"Remedies. — One might reasonably suppose that this larva,
in its snug retreat, would be safe from the attack of outside foes ,
but it is hunted and devoured by wood-peckers, and also de-
stroyed by insect parasites. A very small fly, a species of Chalcid,
destroys many of the larvae; besides two larger parasites have
been bred from them , one of which, Bracon charus Riley, is rep-
Fig. 64. — Bracon charus, Riley. Alter Riley.
resented magnified in Fig. 64, the hair-lines at the side showing
its natural size. The other species, Cryptus grallator Say, is
somewhat larger; they both belong to that very useful group of
four-winged flies known as Ichneumons.
"Although healthy, well-established trees are not exempt
from the attack of this enemy, it is found that sickly trees, or
trees newly transplanted are more liable to suffer, especially on
the southwest side, where the bark is often first injured by expo-
sure to the sun, resulting in what is called sun-scald. All trees
should be carefully examined early in the fall, when the young
56 BUPRESTID-BEETLES.
larvae, if present, may often be detected by the discoloration of the
bark, which sometimes has a flattened and dried appearance, or
by a slight exudation of the sap, or by the presence of the saw-
dustdike castings. Whenever such indications are seen, the
parts should at once be cut into with a knife and the intruder
destroyed. As a preventive measure there is perhaps nothing bet-
ter than coating the bark of the trunk and larger branches with a
mixture of soft soap and a solution of soda."
Professor John B. Smith, in his valuable book, "Economic
Entomology," in speaking of remedies against this or similar
borers, says :
"In general we are very helpless against boring larvae once
they get into the trunk of a tree. Cutting out is a tedious pro-
cess, even if the location of the larva is easily discoverable, which
it often is not. We must, therefore, try to prevent their entrance.
and this may be done more or less completely by mechanical
means. As against the larger species — i. e., against all except
Agrilus — a wire mosquito netting loosely encircling the trunk, so
as not to touch it anywhere, is a complete protection. The in-
sects lay their eggs under a bark scale, or on smooth bark gnaw
a little hole in which the egg is laid, and if access to the bark is
prevented, they seek other localities. The wire must be tied at
the top to prevent beetles from getting under it, and must extend
under ground an inch or so. In this way we not only prevent
new infestation, but any beetles that may emerge from the trunk
will be hopelessly imprisoned, and will die without a chance to
reproduce.
"Instead of wire-netting, tarred paper or even newspapers
tightly wrapped around the trunk and branches will answer an
excellent purpose, needing renewal each year, however, where
the wire-netting lasts several seasons. Thorough white-washing
offers a large measure of protection, since the adults will not volun-
tarily eat through a coat of it, and the larvae can not do so when
first they emerge from the egg. The whitewash can be applied
with a knapsack pump through a Ver'moral nozzle, and a little
Paris-green adds greatly to its effectiveness. It should be renewed
BUPRESTID BEETLES. 57
every week or so till the middle of July, when the danger from
these flat-headed borers may be considered at an end ; and it has
the advantage of protecting the branches as well as the trunk.
The admixture of a little glue or salt will improve its adhesive
and lasting qualities.
"A strong fish-oil soap, say one pound in one gallon of water,
is also effective, and may be applied in the same manner. It
forms a film of soap over the bark, and is repellent to the beetles
as well as fatal to the young larvae. The admixture of an ounce
of crude carbolic acid to a gallon of suds is advantageous. This
mixture should not be applied to leaves or on young shoots, as
it would probably cause injury. As these remedies are all
preventive rather than curative, they must be promptly and
thoroughly applied, and success will be in proportion to the
thoroughness with which the work is done. Instead of any of
the preceding methods, "insect lime," or "dendrolene," may, with
proper precautions, be employed on the trunks and larger
branches, and, practically, this is the best material for use against
the "sinuate pear-borer." It can be easily applied, remains ef-
fective for weeks, and one application, properly made at the
right time, will protect the trees for the season. As against the
pear-borer, it should be applied not later than May 15th, and
kept intact until June 15th, when all danger from that pest is
over."
Among the smaller species of beetles of this family are some
that are very destructive, and it seems that more and more of
them become so where the country is more densely settled, and
where the native forests give place to cultivated fruit-trees.
Still other species find their way to this country with imported
trees and plants ; and they soon become more destructive here
than in their native home, very likely because their insect-enemies
do not follow them at the same time.
The genus Agrilus contains a large number of species, which
differ from those mentioned before by their slender, cylindrical
form, with a squarely truncate head, seemingly cut off in front,
and with elytra much narrower at the tips.
58 BUPRESTID-BEETLES.
THE RED-NECKED BLACKBERRY-BORER.
(Agrilus ntficollis Fab.).
This very common beetle, much more common in Minne-
sota than most people would believe, is found wherever black-
berries and raspberries occur. In the burned over regions about
Hinckley, where a dense growth of these plants has covered the
ground since the fire, the writer has seen small plants of rasp-
berries upon the leaves of which he could count, not dozens, but
hundreds of these pretty insects disporting themselves in the
bright sunlight. They are very active, flying away when dis-
turbed, or, dropping to the ground as if dead, are difficult to
discover among the dead material found under such plants. Of
course wherever they are found in such numbers they must be
injurious.
Fig. 65. — Agrilus ruficollis. Fab. Gall and larva. After Riley.
Sometimes the presence of their larvae can be readily de-
tected by the swollen appearance of the vines (Fig. 65), which
look gouty, hence the name Raspberry Gouty-gall. This swell-
ing is caused by the constant irritation caused by the larva in-
side. The swollen portions of the cane are not smooth, but have
the surface roughened with numerous slits and ridges. When we
cut under such ridges we find a burrow under each of them, and
in it, or in the soft adjoining substance, we find the culprit. It
BUPRESTID-BEETLES, 59
is a peculiar worm, with an almost thread-like, pale-yellowish or
white body, with the anterior segment enlarged and flattened.
The small head is brown, the powerful jaws are black, and the
tail is armed with two slender dark-brown horns, each with
three blunt teeth on the inner edge. When this worm is mature
it measures about six-tenths of an inch in length. But not all
the worms form such galls ; many can be detected in canes not
showing any swellings.
While still young the larvae inhabit mainly the sap-wood,
and following an irregular spiral course, they frequently girdle
and destroy the cane. In most cases a number of worms are
found in a single cane. Early in May the full-grown larva en-
ters deeply into the pith of the cane, and here it changes to a pupa,
from which the adult escapes soon afterwards.
The eggs are deposited early in summer, mostly during the
month of July ; they are laid on the young canes.
Fig. 66.— Agrilus ruficollis. Fab. After Riley.
The beetle is a rather beautiful insect with velvety brown-
ish-black wing-covers, a rather small, dark, bronzy head, and a
very bright coppery neck or pro-thorax ; the underside is of a
uniform shining black color ; it measures about three-tenths of an
inch in length, and is shown in Fig. 66.
Prof. Smith, who has closely studied the life-history of this
beetle, writes that "it is good practice to cut out all galled canes
early in spring, and bum them. Trimming is done at this time as
a matter of regular cultivation, and the galls are then easily seen.
60
BUPRESTID-BEETLES.
No ! 'galled" cane ever ripens a fair set of berries, and it might
as well be cut out at once. Another satisfactory method is to
cut off all the new shoots at the surface of the ground about the
end of June. At this time all the beetles have laid their eggs,
Fig. 67. — Agrilus sinuatns. After Division of Entomology, U. S. Department
of Agriculture.
BUPRESTID-BEETLES.
61
and the shoots which come up in July can not be infested. (Of
course in our state we should wait at least fourteen days longer
with this operation). The best results will be obtained by com-
bining both methods. Cutting; the new shoots causes the death
of the young larva?, which are unable to subsist on dead wood,
and being footless, they are unable to migrate to new stalks."
Another species of Agrilus (A. sinuatiis), imported from
Europe within recent years, is very destructive in the eastern
United States ; its larva feeds between the bark and wood of
pear-trees, making immensely long zig-zag galleries, and in this
manner girdling and killing the tree. It differs in one remark-
able respect from our destructive species in that it remains two
years in the larval state. Although not found in Minnesota, the
peculiar work of this injurious insect is illustrated (Fig. 67), so
that it may be recognized in case our orchards should ever abound
Fig. 6S. — Agrilus bilincatus, Web. After Division of Entomology, U. S. Depart-
ment of Agriculture.
in such luscious fruit as pears. Fig. 68 illustrates still another
species {A. bilineatiis Webb-), which is not rarely found in Min-
nesota.
After describing such destructive beetles as those mentioned
above, it is a pleasure to be able to say a good word for the
insects that form the next families.
62
LUMINOUS-BEETLES.
FAMILY LAMPYRIDAE.
(Fire-flies and Soldier-beetles).
It is scarcely necessary to describe fire-flies, as they are so
well known, at least in their adult or winged state. Children
living in the country have seen these beautiful objects flying
over low places, such as marshes and wet meadows, or have
observed them in the bushes growing along streams, ponds or
lakes ; they have seen the flashes produced by them along
the borders of forests, or in the orchards nearer by. But chil-
dren in the large cities have no opportunity to admire such won-
derful phenomena, excepting, perhaps, in the larger parks. The
flashes of light are given off at regular intervals, both during
flight and when at rest in the grass. In some cases both male
and female insects are luminous ; in others it is only the one
sex, and in still other instances, as in the so-called "glow-worm,"
the female is wingless.
When we look more carefully at these nocturnal beetles, we
find that the terminal segments of the abdomen are of a bright
sulphur-yellow color on the under side, which, at the will of
the insects, glow with a phosphorescent light of considerable
power. Different species have such luminous spots arranged in
various ways, and some lack them altogether. The beetles are
of a soft texture, usually slender, somewhat flattened above.
Fijf. 69.— Fire Flies. After Brehm.
SOLDIER-BEETLES.
63
with a more or less retracted head. The prothorax is expanded
in a thin projecting margin, which in some cases almost entirely
covers the head. The peculiar power of emitting light serves
two useful purposes : it is no doubt a great protection to the
beetles, and it brings together the sexes. As a protection it
only fails in the case of bull-frogs, which gobble up such insects
in spite of the fire, which is, however, of a cold nature. In fact
such frogs can be readily attracted and caught by using fire-
flies as a bait. The larvae of fire-flies burrow in the earth, and
some of them are slightly luminous ; they feed upon the soft
bodies of other insects, upon snails, and upon other similar food.
A number of such insects are illustrated in Fig. 69.
Other members of this family of beetles, which are diurnal
in their habits, are called "Soldier-beetles" (Fig. 70). They are
Fig. 70. — Soldier-Beetles. — After Brehm.
also soft, and frequently quite gayly colored. They are found
upon flowers, where they feed upon pollen or nectar, being en-
abled to do so by the possession of a fleshy filament attached to
each maxilla. Both fire-flies and soldier-beetles eat insects, some-
times even very large ones. The writer has in his possession a
common Lightning Bug, (Photinus pyralis Linn.), which was
found in the act of eating a beetle of equal bulk. But the bene-
64
CHECKERED-BEETLES.
til to owners of fruit-producing plants is derived from the food-
habits of the larvae of such insects. The larvae of the "Two-
lined Soldier-beetle {Telephorus bilineatus Say), are very com-
mon, and may be seen late in fall running over sidewalks, evi-
dently in search of winter quarters. These small, very dark
brown and velvety beings, narrowed at each end, with the edges
Fig. 71. — Telephorus bilineatus, Say. After Kilev.
of the segments quite prominently marked, are very beneficial in
our orchards, and devour immense numbers of such destructive
beings as the larvae of the plum-curculios, when these enter the
ground to pupate. The fat worms of the codling-moths are
also to their taste ; in fact they are very ravenous, and destroy
man}- noxious insects. The larva of this insect is shown in Fig. 71.
1'AMILY CLERIDAE.
( Checkered-beetles) .
A large number of beetles are included in this family.
Most of them are carnivorous, but a few eat dried skins, decay-
ing meat and similar substances. The adults are found on flow-
ers and on the trunks of trees, running about rapidly, somewhat
resembling brightly colored ants (Figs, yz and 73). Some, if
Fig. 72. — Clerus spec. After Brehui.
Fig. 73. — Trichodesspec. After Brehm.
CHECKERED-BEETLES.
65
not most of them, are beautifully marked with strongly con-
trasting colors, for which reason Prof. Comstock calls them
"Checkered Beetles" in his valuable book entitled "Manual for
the Study of Insects." Some are decidedly ant-like, the pro-
thorax in this case being narrower than the wing-covers, and
slightly narrower than the head. These insects have rather long
legs, the antennae are almost knob-like ; their bodies are more or
less cylindrical, with a firm texture. Many species are quite
hairy, others almost smooth.
The larvae are usually carnivorous, and are most frequently
found in the burrows of wood-boring insects, chiefly in those
that live in sap-wood ; others are found in the nests of bees, and
still others feed on dead animal matter. The slender larvae
possess short legs and a somewhat prominent and pointed head.
They are extremely useful in keeping in check such destructive
Fig.
Riley.
"4. — Trichodes apivorus, Germ.;
larva; b, pupa. All enlarged. Aftei
beetles as bark-beetles and other borers, and for this reason de-
serve our consideration. Another species of these beetles is
shown in Fig. 74; it is an insect that can not be called beneficial,
as it is found as larva in nests of»bees, where it feeds upon their
young, upon honey, and stored pollen. It is not very common in
Minnesota, and is easily recognized by the brilliant red-banded
wing-covers.
Some of these beetles are exceedingly numerous in the pine
regions of our state, where they do much good by eating the
numerous bark-insects so destructive to evergreen trees.
66
HAM-BEETLES.
Another well-known beetle belongs here. It is frequently
called the "Red-legged Ham-beetle," (Necrobia rufipes Fab.).
This cosmopolitan insect is steel bine, with red legs, and is
clothed with fine hair. Its normal food is dead animal matter,
for which reason they are exceedingly numerous about glue-fac-
tories and slaughter-houses. If they confined their attention
strictly to such things, they could be called useful, notwithstand-
T'i r. 7.".— Necrobia rufipes. Fab.; a, larva; b, hi ad of same; c, beetle. Enlarged.
Afier Division ol Entomology, U. S. Dipartment of Agriculture.
ing what the owners of glue-factories might say, but these beetles
have learned from experience that smoked ham is much more
palatable, and for the reason of obtaining this food they enter
smoke-houses and pantries. The illustration, (Fig. 75), gives
the two stages of this insect, which sometimes causes considerable
losses, not so much on accouvt of what it eats as of what it spoils.
FAMILY M ALACH 1 1 OAK.
The beetles composing this family are all small, some very
small ; they resemble lightning-beetles in having soft bodies and
leathery wing-covers, but are very much shorter and broader,
CIGARETTE-BEETLES. 67
especially towards the end of the elytra, where the abdomen is
very broad. The antenna? are also short, a little enlarged at the
tip, and in many species the males have them curiously knotted.
Upon the sides of their body they possess soft and orange-
colored organs, which become plainly visible if the beetles are
taken up with the fingers, as in such a case these vesicles are
said to exhale strong odors, offensive to cannibal insects,, hence
they may be considered as organs of defense.
Members of this family are frequently seen in the flowers of
Fig. 76. — yialachius marginicollis. Greatly enlarged. After Smith.
fruit-producing plants ; they feed also on other insects and their
eggs. Others have been found in the burrows made by bark-
beetles. To show how such beetles look an illustration of a
Moloch ins is given in Fig. 76.
FAMILY PTINIDAE.
(Death-watch ; Cigarette-beetles) .
This family is composed of rather small insects, rarely ex-
ceeding a quarter of an inch in length ; the family as such is not
easily defined, as it contains an aggregation of very odd-looking
forms. As a rather general character they have a more or less
cylindrical, firm body, solid wing-covers, and a head that can
be retracted. Some are possum-like in their method of mimick-
ing death, and they do this so thoroughly well that it is almost
68
CIGARETTE-BEETLES.
impossible to make them move again. In many cases both legs
and feelers fit in grooves, and the entire insect appears to be des-
titute of such useful organs. As various as are the forms of
such beetles, just so various are their food-habits. Yet the ma-
jority of the adults and larva? feed on dried animal or vegetable
matter. Some, however, attack green vegetation. Prof. Corn-
stock has bred large numbers of one species from the covers of
an old book, a copy of Dante's Divine Comedy, printed in 1536.
He does not state whether the insects also consumed the text as
greedily as the covers ! A description of some of these beetles
will show the range of their habits.
The Death-watch {Sitodrepa panicea Linn.), named so
from the ticking frequently made when it is working in wood,
Fig. 76%- — Sitodrepa panicea, Linn. After Division of Entomology, U. S. De-
partment of Agriculture.
which becomes quite audible during the night when other sounds
have ceased, has given rise to many superstitions, and ignorant
people consider it as a warning of approaching death. The illus-
tration ( Fig. 7(^/2 ) , shows this terrible being to be rather small,
and certainly not very alarming. It is a bad insect, however, in
other ways ; and our soldiers can tell many a story of ship-biscuits
enlivened by the presence of their larvre. In fact the writer has
seen biscuits thus infested that contained as much animal as
vegetable matter.
The Cigarette-beetle (Lctsiodcrma serricome Fab.), is a
great lover of the weed in all its forms, and neither chewing nor
TWIG-BEETLES.
69
smoking tobacco is left undisturbed if it can not have cigars or
cigarettes. It is very destructive to all kinds of tobacco, and is
a serious trouble to the manufacturers of such ware. Still, even
if more cigarettes were spoiled the general loss to sensible peo-
Fig. 76y 3 . — Lasioderma aerricorne. Fab. After Livision of Entomology, U. S.
Department of Entomology.
pie would not be very important. But there are other members
of this family that deserve the close attention of fruit-growers.
The cigarette-beetle is illustrated in Fig. 76%.
THE APPLE-TWIG BORER
( Amphicerus bicoudatus Say).
This beetle is cylindrical, about one-third of an inch in
length, of a dark chestnut-brown color above and black beneath.
By consulting the illustration, (Fig. 77), it will be seen that its
thorax is roughened in front with minute elevated points, and in
the males is furnished with two little horns ; this sex has also
two small thorn-like projections at the extremities of the wing-
covers. This beetle bores into small apple-twigs in early spring,
entering close to a bud, and making a channel several inches in
length, apparently to obtain both food and shelter ; sometimes the
canes of grapes are invaded in similar places, and are killed in
consequence. Twigs of pears and cherries are also used for this
purpose.
Both sexes make such tunnels, and they are occasionally
found in them during the middle of winter as well as in sum-
mer; they are usually found in the tunnels with the head down-
wards. In this manner thev sometimes work during the sum-
70
TWIG-BEETLES.
Fig. 77.— Amphicerus bicaudatus, Say. After Division of Entomology. U. S.
Department of Agriculture.
mer months, and cause the invaded twigs to die ; as a general
rule, however, the heetles leave their burrows during the summer.
They now deposit their eggs in the dead or dying roots of the
"greenbrier" (Smilcix spec.), or in the dead shoots of the grape.
The larvae, well illustrated in the figure, as well as the pupae,
remain in such places until the full-fledged beetle is formed. The
insects are not common enough to cause serious damage. Twigs
containing their burrows should be promptly removed and burned,
and no greenbriers, a bad weed at the best, should be permitted to
grow near orchards. Wild grape-vines, if harboring such beetles
in larger numbers, should also be removed.
THE RED-SHOULDERED SINOXYLON.
(Sinoxyloii basilare Say).
This beetle, closely related to the one just mentioned, is
found in our state, but is rather uncommon. It is about one-
TWIG-BEETLES. 71
fifth of an inch long, black, with a large reddish spot at the base
of each wing-cover, as indicated in the illustration (Fig. 78).
The thorax is also furnished with elevated points and short
spines in front ; the wing-covers are roughened with dots, and
appear to be cut off obliquely behind ; the outer edge of this
declivity is furnished with three teeth on each side.
The larva bores into the stems of grape-vines, and sometimes
into the twigs of apple and peach. It is a much wrinkled grub,
yellowish-white, with swollen anterior segments, three pairs of
short legs, a small head, and an arched body. The pupa is
formed inside the burrow, and is of a pale-yellowish color.
The onlv remedv is to remove and burn infested canes and
Fig. 78. — Sinoxylon basilnre Say. After Filey.
twigs. Several other related beetles have been reported as being
injurious to orchards, but none of them are found in our state.
Others, which do not cause any injury to the plants themselves, .
but to the posts to which the canes of raspberries, grapes, and
other plants are tied, might be mentioned, as fruit-growers are
sometimes molested by them.
Beetles belonging to the genera oi'Bostry chits and Lyctits de-
stroy old and dry wood. The latter especially are sometimes
very abundant, and their presence may be recognized by the
large amount of exceedingly fine dust that gathers at the base
of such posts.
The beetles themselves are very seldom seen in large num-
bers on the infested posts, but if we cut open one of them appar-
ently still solid, we find it entirely honey-combed inside. Even
such exceedingly drv and hard substances as hoe-handles made
72 STAG-BEETLES.
of hickory, if left undisturbed for a long time in warehouses,
have been known to be entirely destroyed by insects of this
character.
D. LEAF-HORNS.
(Lamdllicomia) .
Leaf-horns contain only two families of beetles ; the first one
numbers but a few species of remarkable forms, the other a
very large number; some of them are scavengers, others plant-
feeders. This second family is one of great extent, and many
large and showy insects belong to it. But, notwithstanding
their different forms and food habits, all resemble each other in
the possession of feelers which terminate in a knob composed
of three or more leaf-like blades, which, at the will of the insect,
can be folded up like the pages of a book.
FAMILY LUCAN1DAE.
(Stag, or Pinching-beetles) .
Stag-beetles are well named on account of certain species,
the males of which have immensely large mandibles, sometimes
branched like the antlers of a stag. Their chief characteristic,
however, is the form of their antennae. These are tooth-horned,
i. e., the tips of the feelers are furnished with several stiff pro-
jections on one side, like the teeth of a comb ; the feelers are
also bent and elbowed in the middle. These projecting plates
composing the club can not be closed together as they can in the
next family. (Compare Fig. 9).
The adult beetles feed upon the sap of bruised trees, and
they can secure this food by means of brushes located upon jaws
and lips. By knowing this food-habit many can be attracted by
purposely bruising such plants, as young oaks, and even wil-
lows. The eggs are large, globular, white objects, which are
deposited in the crevices of the bark near the roots. The larvae
STAG-BEETLES.
73
Fig. 79. — Lucanus elaphus, Fab. After Fitchs.
resemble "white grubs," only they do not eat the roots of
plants, but bore into the solid wood of the trunks and roots of
trees, reducing- it to coarse sawdust. In most cases the larva
requires a number of years to reach its full size.
Stag-beetles are of but little economic importance, but as
their forms are very striking, they are of much popular interest.
The illustration, Fig. 79, shows the male of the large stag-
beetle (Lucanus elaphus Fab-), which does not seem to be found
in Minnesota, and Fig. 80 that of (L. daina, Thumb.), which is
fairlv common in our state.
THE STAG-BEETLE.
(Lucanus daina Thunb.).
The male of this large beetle has the upper jaws or mandi-
bles largely developed ; they are curved like a sickle, and possess
a small tooth near the middle of the inner margin ; the female has
smaller jaws, also toothed. Large specimens measure about two
74
STAG-BEETLES.
inches in length ; they are of a deep mahogany-brown color,,
the legs being very much lighter. The broad head of the male is-
smooth, that of the female narrower and rough. The males fly
during the months of July and August, and are very strong flyers,,
so that they can be heard buzzing about during the evening or
night. They are attracted by light, and enter our houses, where-
they greatly scare some persons. They never bite, however,,
unless forced to do so by being roughly handled. The females
are more retiring in their habits, and are not often found, and if
seen at all, it is usually upon the trunk of some bleeding tree.
Fig. 80. — Lucans dama, Thunb. Adult; a, larva; b, cocoon. After Fuchs and'
Harris.
The large larva of this beetle is found in the decaying wood
of many different kinds of trees, such as oak, apple, cherry, or
willow. From the very fact that these larvae are only found in,
old and decaying trees we can feel certain that they cause but
slight, if any damage. Larva and cocoon are shown in Fig. 80.
A smaller beetle belonging to this family, the Platycerus quer-
cus Web., is sometimes injurious, because it devours the buds of
pear trees. Tt is also found in Minnesota, but mostly in the decay-
ing wood of old oak logs and stumps. It is a rather peculiar
beetle, nearly half an inch in length, with very large jaws in the
LAMELLICORN-BEETLES. 75
male sex, but only small ones in that of the female ; it has ribbed
wing-covers, black, with a greenish cast. In Illinois it matures
about the time at which buds of pear trees unfold, and in such
buds the adult beetle feeds for many days, completely eating out
the buds and the ends of the new shoots.
FAMILY SCARAB AEIDAE.
( Lanicllicorn-bcctles) .
This is a very large family, including beetles with a very
wide range of variation in size, form, and habits. Most of them
are short, stout beetles like the Tumble-bug or June-bug. All
possess an antennal club, the leaves of which can be closed to-
gether or spread out at will, like a fan, exposing the numerous
sensory pits with which they are densely covered.
We can divide the family into two well-marked groups, the
Scavengers and the Leaf-chafers.
The Scavengers are of little interest to fruit-growers, but a
few forms will be described to give an idea of their form and
habits.
The Tumble-bugs are perhaps best known on account of
their peculiar habit of forming round balls of dung, which they
roll long distances. The two sexes most frequently work to-
gether, and after having rounded and compressed the ball by roll-
ing it in dusty places, till it is hard and compact, thus preventing
Fig. 82. — Ateuchus sacer. After Brehm.
76
LAMELLICORN-BEETLES.
rapid drying of the enclosed moist material, they finally bury it
in the ground. The male now leaves, and the female eats out a
cavity in the ball, in which she deposits an enormously large and
soft egg; this done, she again closes the cavity by plastering the
removed portion of the dung over it. The egg soon hatches, and
in a very short time the larva is fully grown, and transforms to
a pupa. The whole period of growth takes less than fourteen
days. The illustration (Fig. 81, plate i) shows the ball, egg and
adults of one of these beetles (Canthon laevis Drury).
Tumble-bugs were well known to the ancient Egyptians, who
held one species of them, the Sacred Beetle (Fig. 82), in high ven-
eration. They considered it a symbol of strength and resurrec-
tion, and for this reason stone imitations of the beetles were placed
in the tombs with their dead. "The ball, which the beetles were
supposed to roll from sunrise to sunset, represented the earth ; the
beetle itself personified the sun, because of the sharp projections
on its head, which extended out like the rays of light ; while the
Fig. 83. — Ateuchus variolosus. rolling balls. Egyptian sculptures of Sacred
beetle. After Brehm.
LAM ELLICORN-BEETLES.
77
thirty segments of its six tarsi represented the days of the month.
All individuals of this species were thought to be males, and a
race of males symbolized a race of warriors. The latter supersti-
tion was carried over to Rome, and the Roman warriors wore
images of the sacred beetle in rings." The illustration, (Fig 83),
shows the familiar action of the two beetles, as well as some
scluptures and inscriptions. None of such scavengers are injuri-
ous in our country, although exceptions occur in others, where
members of scavenger beetles destroy roots of the grape vine.
Other scavenger beetles, like the Copris Carolina Linn., illus-
trated in Fig. 84, do not roll balls, but they make holes close to or
Fig. 84. — Copris Carolina, Linn.; a, larva; b, ball; c, pupa; d, adult female.
After Riley.
under manure, especially that of cows, and fill the holes com-
pactly with this substance as a store of food for their larvae,
which hatch from eggs deposited in the lowest parts of such bur-
rows, one in each. Some allied beetles are most beautiful objects,
of metallic colors, and beautified in the most remarkable manner
with all sorts of odd horns found upon head or thorax.
78 LAMELLICORN'-BEETLES.
It has, however, been stated upon very good authority that the
common black Aphodins (A. granarius Linn.), illustrated in Fig-.
85, has the bad habit of eating into sprouting seeds of corn. At
all events some species of this genus very often attract the atten-
tion of farmers, as immense numbers of them swarm early in
spring, and again late in autumn, over country roads, and especial-
ly over such roads that have been frequented by horses and cows.
Here the beetles enjoy their last meals before entering the ground
to pass the winter. The illustration (Fig. 86) shows an adult
beetle and its larva.
Fig. 85. — Aphodius granarius, Linn.
G-eatly enlarged. After Foibes.
Fig. S6. — Aphodius fossor, Linn., and
larva. After Brehm.
The Leaf-chafers, or Herbivorous LameUicorns, feed upon
leaves of trees in their adult state, or they devour the pollen and
petals of flowers. They are distinguished from the majority of
scavengers by having more slender legs, with long claws which
enable them to grasp their food firmly, but do not enable them to
dig into the ground. Some of them can, however, do so, but not
so easily as their relatives with filthier habits. As a general rule
the tip of their abdomen projects beyond the wing-covers, and is
not shortened or cut off squarely. Since the adults also feed upon
vegetable matter they are in some cases as destructive as their
larvae, only, however, for a much sborter period. The larvae feed
either in rotton wood, when they are barmless, or they eat the
roots of grasses and other plants. Such larva?, well known as
"white grubs," arc thick, fleshy beings, much wrinkled, with a
LAMELLICORX-BEETLES. 79
body so much curved that they can only crawl about with great
difficulty if placed upon the surface of the soil. They possess
large horny beads, and long, sprawling legs. The posterior seg-
ment of the abdomen is in many species thicker than the re-
mainder, and appears dark, being filled with a large amount of
dirt and other waste matter. In their burrows such larvae can,
however, move quite rapidly; they do so by lying on their backs,
which are usually protected by a cushion of short hairs ; their legs
are mainly used to grasp the food overhead.
Many groups of these beetles are familiar, some of them
well known bythe common name of "May-beetles," "Dor-beetles,"
"June-bugs," "Rose-beetles," "Goldsmith-beetles," "Rhinoceros-
beetles," "Flower-beetles," and others. Only those that are in-
jurious to the fruit-grower, or are otherwise of special interest,
will be described more in detail.
We have in Minnesota a number of small lamellicorn beetles
that are sometimes destructive to the flowers of fruit-producing
plants. They are not numerous enough to cause marked injury,
at least not unless many of them are at work on the same tree or
cane. They belong to two genera: Hoplia, and Dichelonycha,
The former are robust, oval insects, injurious to apples and plums,
of which they destroy the entire flowers. Hoplia modesta Hald,
an oval shaped, brown beetle, with a metallic white pubescene
upon the pointed and projecting posterior segments of the ab-
domen, and with long legs, well adapted to anchor it in flowers,
is the most common one of such small enemies. It measures about
one-quarter of an inch in length, and is shown in Fig. 87, Plate I.
Dichelonycha elongata Fab., and D. subvittata Lee, also pos-
sess a similar bad habit. Both beetles resemble each other in
general appearance, but instead of being oval in shape they arc
quite elongated, measuring almost half an inch in length. Their
general color is also brown, but they possess in addition a de-
cidedly metallic lustre, varying from all shades of dark blue to
bluish-green or green. In case of necessity these beetles should
be gathered and killed. This is easily done upon low plants,
where they can readily be seen, but it is almost impossible when
80 LAMELLICORN-BEETLES.
they are found upon trees. But as they are only active during-
the warmer portions of the day, resting or sleeping at other times
in beautiful cradles of white petals, protected by a covering com-
posed of yellow grains of pollen, they are easily shaken into an
inverted umbrella, or in extreme cases into a large sheet spread
under the tree. However, a simple shaking avails but little, the
trees must be jarred by a sharp blow made with a mallet covered
with cloth, to prevent injury to the trunks. Both species are
shown in Fig. 87, Plate I.
THE ROSE-CHAFER, OR ROSE-BUG.
{Macrodactylus subspinosus Fab.).
This destructive beetle is only too well known in some parts
of the United States, but happily it is of rare occurrence in Min-
nesota, at least at the present time. It is found in June, about
the time when grapes and roses are in full bloom ; it eats such
dainty morsels as these highly scented flowers in preference to
anything else, but in their absence it is satisfied with leaves.
Prof. Smith, who had ample opportunity in New Jersey to
study this beetle, which is illustrated in Fig. 89, writes about it
as follows :
"Occasionally, for a number of years, the insects appear in
ever increasing abundance, until the swarms are so great that
they ruin not only vineyards, but orchards and gardens, eating
almost every kind of fruit and flower. In the presence of such
swarms we are almost helpless, and insecticides are of no possible
use. No contact poiso'n kills them, and the arsenites and other
stomach poisons act too slowly, as two or three days suffice to
ruin a vineyard. Lest this will seem strange, I will state that
I have seen on hundreds of acres of vineyard every vine bearing
multitudes, and every bunch of blossoms harbored from two to ten
or even more beetles. I have counted over twenty on a single apple,
and a full-blown rose may bear as many as thirty or even more.
We are reduced to actually collecting the specimens from the
vines by means of funnel or umbrella-shaped collectors, adapted
LAMELLICORN-BEETLES.
81
to the method of cultivation in use. They drop readily when the
vines are jarred, and the collector should be so made as to roll
them into the center and into an attached pail containing kero-
sene. This must he done not only daily, but continuously for
several days until the flight is over or the grapes have set, for
well-set grapes are rarely eaten. Fortunately, a period of ab-
normal increase seems to be followed by a period of decrease,
though the length of the periods have not been ascertained. The
Fig. 89. — Macrodactylus subspinosus, Fab.— After Division of Entomology,
U. S. Department of Agriculture.
larvae feed in light land on the roots of various plants, but prin-
cipally on grass. They pupate in spring, shortly before they
change to the adult condition, and by ploughing infested sod
at this time a large proportion can be destroyed. When only
moderate numbers occur, lime often serves to protect the plants,
or, better, the Bordeaux mixture, which is distasteful to them."
As may be seen bv the illustration this ochreous vellow
82
LAME! LICOKN-BEETLES.
beetle, slender in form, possesses long and very spiny legs, which
are so sharp that birds refuse to eat their owners. Even hens-
will ogle such food, and express their disapproval by letting it
severely alone, no doubt having learned from experience that such
morsels will not slide down very readily. When stating that the
beetle is of an ochreous-yellow color, this statement should be
amended by saying that this color is produced by dense and even
scales of that color, which rub off very readily, exposing the
black colors of the wing-covers and body- In this case we have
an insect which is both destructive in its larval and adult stage.
THE SILKEN SERICA.
(Serica sericea 111.).
This small beetle, also oval in shape, but a little larger than
the Hoplia mentioned before, is of a brown color when still
young, but becomes quite dark with age. Specimens not in-
jured by having their surface rubbed are truly beautiful in cer-
tain lights, showing in such positions almost all the colors of the
spectrum upon a silky background. This is most markedly the
case near the sides. But notwithstanding this beauty, they can
Fig. 90. Sericairicotor, Say. -
After Saunders.
Fig. 91. — Lachnosterna fusca, Froehl. — After Di-
vision of Entomology, U. S. Department of Agri-
culture.
LAMELLICORN-BEETLES. 83
become destructive by eating flowers and leaves of our fruit-
producing plants. Serica tricolor Say is shown in Fig. 90.
This species, as well as two others, the bluish-black S. tricolor
Say, which has a hairy thorax, and the uniform mahogany-brown
>S\ vespertina Gyll., are fairly abundant in Minnesota, and can
be kept in check by beating them from the plants into inverted
umbrellas, where they can be gathered and destroyed. Their
larva? are not known, but very likely they live upon roots in
the ground like the larvae of related beetles. Other species of
this genus are destructive in California. Fig. 87, Plate I, shows
S. tricolor Say, and 5*. vespertina Gyll.
MAY-BEETLES, OR JUNE-BUGS.
(Laehnostcrna spec.).
Prof. Saunders, in the book already mentioned, gives a con-
densed account of the life-history of these beetles in the follow-
ing words : "Every one must be familiar with the May-beetle,—
or May-bug, as it is commonly called,— a buzzing beetle, with a
slow but wild and erratic flight, which comes thumping against
the windows of lighted rooms in the evenings in May and early
June, and, where the windows are open, dashes in without a
moment's consideration, bumping against walls, ceiling, and
articles of furniture, occasionally dropping to the floor, then sud-
denly rising again. It sometimes lands uninvited on one's face
or neck, or, worse still, on one's head, where its sharp claws be-
come entangled in the hair in a most unpleasant manner. It is
a thick-bodied, chestnut-brown or blackish beetle, (Fig. 91), from
eight to nine-tenth of an inch in length. Its head and thorax are
punctuated with small indentations ; the wing-covers, though
glossy and shining, are roughened with shallow, indented points,
and upon each there are two or three slightly elevated lines run-
ning lengthwise. Its legs are tawny yellowish, and the breast
is covered with pale-yellowish hairs ; the under surface is paler
than the upper. During the day the beetles remain in repose, but
are active at night, when they congregate upon cherry, plum, and
other trees, devouring the leaves, occasionally, when very
84
LAMELLICUKN-BKETLES.
Fig. 92.— Tune beetles at night. After Breb.1
numerous, entirely stripping the trees of foilage (Fig. 92).
Their strong jaws are well adapted for cutting their food, and
their notched or double claws support them securely on the
foliage.
"The female is said to deposit her eggs between the roots of
grass, enclosed in a ball of earth; they are white, translucent,
and spherical, and about one-twelfth of an inch in diameter.
When hatched, the small white grubs begin at once to feed upon
the rootlets of plants ; they are several years in reaching ma-
turity, and hence larvae of different sizes are usually found in
the ground at the same time. When full-grown, they are al-
most as thick as a man's little finger; they are soft and white,
have a horny head of a brownish color, and six legs; the hinder
part of the body is usually curved under, as shown in the illus-
LAMELLICORN-BEETLES.
85
(ration. This larva is generally known as the "white grub," and
is very injurious to strawberries, devouring the roots and de-
stroying the plants ; it feeds also upon the roots of grass and
dther • plants, and when very numerous it so injures pasture-
lands and lawns that large portions of the turf can he lifted with
the hand and rolled over like a piece of carpet, so completely are
the roots devoured. When cold weather approaches, the grub
buries itself in the ground deep enough to be beyond the reach
of frost, and there remains until the following spring.*
"When ready for its next change, the larva forms a cavity
in the ground, by turning itself round and round and pressing
the earth until it moulds a cell of suitable form and size, which
it lines with a glutinous secretion, so that the cell may better re-
tain its form, and within this it changes at first to a pupa, and
finally produces the perfect beetle.
d c s
Fig. 93. — Typhia inornata. Say. After Riley.
"Remedies: It is very difficult to reach the larvae underground
with any remedy other than digging for 'them, and destroying
them. Hogs are very fond of them, and, when turned into places
where the grubs are abundant, will root up the ground and de-
vour them in immense quantities. They are likewise eaten by
domestic fowls and insectivorous birds; crows especially are so
partial to them that they will often be seen following the plough,
so as to pick out these choice morsels from the freshly-turned
furrow. An insect parasite, the unadorned Tipln'a, Tiphia iu-
ornata Say, is also actively engaged in destroying the white grub.
*The writer has long ago come to the conclusion that insects do not enter the
ground simply to escape the rigors of winter. If they had to do so, they would be
forced in Minnesota to go to the same depth as water pipes, which have to be laid
from six to eight feet to prevent treezing!
86 LAMELLICORN-BEETLES.
Frequently, when digging the ground, a pale-brown, egg-shaped
cocoon is turned up (Fig. 93«0 ; within this, when fresh, will be
found a whitish grub, represented at 92c, which, during its
growth, has fed upon the larva of the May beetle. Within this
snug enclosure it soon changes to a pupa, and finally assumes the
perfect form, as shown at a in the figure. The fly is black, with
sometimes a faint bluish tint, with dusky wings, and the body
more or less covered with pale-yellow hairs, which are thickest
on the under side.
"A curious whitish fungus sometimes attacks this larva and
destroys it, growing out at the sides of the head ; the protuber-
ance or sprout rapidly increases in size, often attaining a length
of three or four inches, when it presents the appearance in Fig.
94. A very large number frequently die from this cause. Trees
infested with the beetles should be shaken early in the morning,
when the insects will fall, and may be collected on sheets and
killed by being thrown into scalding waiter. Besides the cherry
and plum, these insects feed on the Lombardy poplar and the
oaks. On account of the length of time the larva takes to ma-
ture, the beetles are not often abundant during two successive
seasons."
Alt the time Prof. Saunders wrote the above excellent de-
scription the numerous species of the genus Lachnosterna were
not yet well understood, but since that time a number of ento-
mologists have not alone studied the adult forms, which belong
to more than sixty species, but also their larva?, the "white
grubs," have been studied. Hence the description given above
applies not to a single species, described as L. fusca Froeh., but
to a whole group of very similar kinds. Such studies have not,
however, given us newer and better methods to combat the in-
juries caused by such insects in the larval condition; to fight such
grubs successfully is still an unsolved problem.
In Minnesota we have a number of species varying in size,
color, and structural details; some are small and yellow, cov-
ered with long hairs, others are dark and smooth; some fly at
the time of year that gives such beetles the popular name of
LAMELLICORN-BEETLES.
8T
<f~~
Fig. 9-t.— May beetle fungus. After Riley .
Pig. 95.— La chn os tern a tristis, Fab.
88
LAMELLICORN-BEETLES
May or June-beetles, others occur much later in the season, being
found as late as the end of September, or even early October.
However, none of these later flying beetles are very numerous.
The smallest of our species is the L. tristis Fab. (Fig.
95). It is of a light yellowish-brown or ochre-yellow color,
densely covered with long and fine hairs ; this hair is most
prominent upon the thorax, and for this reason the beetle is fre-
quently called the "hairy-necked May-beetle." It is not only
the smallest species, but also the earliest to appear, and our oaks
suffer very greatly at the time in which the leaves unfold, and it
is not an uncommon occurrence to find the tree entirely bare of
leaves after repeated nocturnal visits of these beetles. If they
are at all numerous the observer can detect their presence by the
peculiar sounds produced by them ; it seems as though a large
swarm of bees was employed in the tree. Such beetles, like
many of 'their larger relatives, are frequently thrown out of the
ground early in spring by the spade.
Our most common larger species are the members of the
fusca group, and the L. rugosa Melsh. (Fig. 96), which is dis-
tinguished by shining, but at the same time very rugose wing-
covers. It is common everywhere, not alone in the wooded
regions of the state, but in the open prairies as well.
Fig. 96. — Lachnosterna rugosa, Melsh. After Forbes.
LAMELLICORN-BEETLES. 89
Other species are covered with a very fine pubescence, al-
most entirely hiding the wing-covers ; others have longer hairs
arranged in parallel rows upon the elytra"; but all have such a
familiar look, that the illustrations given will convey a good idea
of the appearance of nearly all.
With us the beetles emerge from the ground just alt dusk, or
soon afterwards, and they leave the trees long before sunrise, so
that the beating of the trees even very early in the morning will
secure but a very few, hence does not amount Ito much as a
remedy. But as such insects can be attracted to light, immense
Fig. 97. — Lamp trap. After Lintner.
numbers can be captured and killed by placing under a strong
light a vessel containing water with some kerosene floating on it.
(Fig. 97). If we study the captured beetles, we find that in
some cases only the males of some species have been caught ;
again we find both sexes in about equal numbers, and in some
few cases mainly females are attracted. But whether the fe-
males have already deposited their eggs or not is a question, and
it is also doubtful whether we do much good by so attracting
them. It seems to the writer that the strong light not alone at-
90
LAMELL1CORN-BEETLES.
tracts the beetles, but that in doing so we may aggravate the
evil in some cases by bringing them to the more valuable trees
planted near our houses, in which case the females, are certain
to deposit their eggs in our lawns.
Among the Shining Leaf-chafers, which resemble May-
beetles in form, but are separated from them by the possession of
tarsal claws of unequal size, one claw in each pair being larger
than the other, (see Fig. 99), we find species of brilliant colors
Fig. 98. — Anomala undulata Welsh. -
Enlarged. After Harris.
Fiy. 99— Anomala tnarginata. Fab.;
A. lucicola. Fab., and en'arged tarsal
claws. After Lintner.
and markings. This is especially true of tropical species, which
contain some of the most beautiful beetles known. They possess
wing-covers and bodies apparently made of gold, silver, or other
metal. Most of such beetles are also of medium size ; others are
large, sometimes very large. But few species are found in Min-
nesota, and none of them are very destructive.
THE LIGHT-LOVING ANOMALA.
(Anomala lucicola Fab.).
This beetle feeds upon the leaves of grape and other plants.
It is a robust insect, long oval in form, measuring about one-third
of an inch in length. It is of a pale yellowish-brown color, the
prothorax is either uniform in color, or black, margined with dull
yellow ; the posterior part of the head and the ventral side of
the body are black, but sometimes the abdomen is brown. The
beetles vary greatly in color and markings ; some are almost
LAMELLICORN-BEETLES. 91
entirely black, and others have two broad diverging longitudinal
greenish bands upon the disk of the prothorax. The beetles can
be destroyed by means of Paris-green.
A little larger species of this genus is the "Two-spotted
Anomala." (A. binotata Gyll.), which also varies considerably,
but can in most cases be recognized by two larger or smaller,
irregular black spots, one upon each wing-cover ; head and
thorax are uniformly polished black or dark-brown, always much
darker than the wing-covers ; the under side of the body is
colored like head and thorax.
A much smaller species, the A. minuta Burm., is quite com-
mon in Minnesota. It varies even more than the two species al-
ready mentioned, some being entirely dark brown, others bright-
yellowish brown ; some possess no markings at all, others are
ornamented with small spots forming one or more bands across
the wing-covers ; while still others have numerous dark spots,
sometimes confluent, thus forming a narrow upper and broad
lower band across the elytra.
Still other members of this genus occur in this state, but
are more abundant further south, where they sometimes cause
considerable injury to fruit-producing plants. The largest spe-
cies is A. marginata, Fab., a beetle much larger than those already
described, measuring about one-half an inch or more in length.
It is also brown, but with a peculiar green luster, especially if
seen from above. The darker prothorax is edged with a broad
margin of yellow. It is shown in Fig. 99.
These beetles are harmless when they appear singly ; but
sometimes they occur like 'die Rose-beetle in large swarms, and
in such cases they riddle the foliage of the plants to such an
extent that it resembles a piece of net, and only the larger veins
are left undisturbed. The larvse live in the ground, feeding there
upon the roots of plants. As they cannot be reached in such
quarters we have to fight the beetles themselves, which is readily
accomplished by the use of arsenical poisons, by dusdng the vines
with fresh air-slaked lime, or by syringing them with a solu-
tion of whale-oil soap or strong tobacco water.
92 LAMELLICORN-BEETLES.
The following letter, published by the late Dr. Lintner in
one of his excellent reports, will give an idea of the trouble
such beetles may give the horticulturist : "And now we have the
Anomala marginata. This is the too modest name of a bug, a
species of May-beetle, which for "pure cussedness" can give the
rose-bug points and come out ahead. It resembles the May-bug,
is about half the size and in color is metallic bluish-green. This
creature appeared for the first time last summer in this section
just as the rose-bug was leaving, and promptly began devouring
everything that the other hadn't time to eat. While blessed with
the appetite of the rose-bug and the elephant combined, it is
not so formal as the former, but brings all its luggage along and
remains with us until fall. While the rose-bug has slighted us
this summer, the A. M. has come again in millions. It began
eating breakfast about six -days ago and hasn't knocked off yet
to get ready for lunch. Some of my vines are already quite de-
foliated. I have found them to some extent on blackberry, rasp-
berry, and rose bushes, but its preference is the grape vine.
"I tried hand-picking and shaking them into a vessel with
water and kerosene. I had three men working in a plat of
thirteen hundred Cynthiana vines for an entire day. In this way
they destroyed gallons of them. The next morning they were
there in unbroken ranks, not a vacancy visible. I then tried
spraying with London purple, a pound to one hundred and fifty
gallons of water. If this treatment has caused them any un-
pleasantness I have yet to discover the fact. One might as well
1 1 y to convince the Sabbatarians that there are other people in the
world who have rights.
"If any of your readers having vineyards have been troubled
by these pests and have succeeded in getting rid of them I would
like to learn their methods. Kerosene emulsion might act as a
deterrent, but I fear that it would spoil the grapes for wine-
making. In the meanltime, my emotions are too great for utter-
ance. I think that Job makes no mention of ever having con-
tended with the Anomala marginata. I would he were here.
His opinion expressed in choice Chaldaic might possibly fit the
case and give me some relief. J- K. H.'"
LAMELLICORN-BEETEES.
93
THE SPOTTED VINF.-CHAFER.
(Pelidnpta punctata Linn.).
This is a grape-vine pest in more southern and eastern
staltes, where it devours the foliage, but is by no means a com-
mon beetle in Minnesota, hence not as destructive as elsewhere.
It is a stout beetle, large specimens almost reaching an inch in
length, of a clay-yellow color, with three large black dots near
the margin of the elytra. These spots are very prominent in
northern specimens, but are frequently very small or even ab-
sent in southern ones. The whole under side of the insect, in-
cluding the legs, is black with a metallic green tint. The base
of the head, between the eyes, the margin of the scutellum, and
one spot on each side of the thorax are also black. The insect
is nearly oval in form, with a polished surface.
%^
Fig. 100. — Pelidaota punctata, Linn. After Riley.
These beetles fly during July and August, and are only
active during the day, flying from vine to vine with a heavy
flight and a loud buzzing noise. Being so large and showy, they
are easily detected at their work, and should be reduced in num-
bers by hand picking.
94 LAMELLICORN-BEETLES.
The female deposits her eggs in rotten wood, on which the
larva feeds. The latter seems to prefer the decaying roots of
apple, pear, hickory and some other trees. When full grown it
is nearly two inches in length, of the usual shape of other "white
grubs," but not so densely covered with hairs. It has a chest-
nut-brown head and a translucent white body, of a clearer white
color than that of other and similar shaped larvae; the las^c seg-
ment ends in a heart-shaped swelling, short and cut off squarely.
Seen from the front it is marked as shown in the Fig. ioo at (/.
As soon as full grown the larva forms a slight cocoon of par-
ticles of the surrounding wood ; in it it changes to a pupa from,
which the beetle escapes about ten days afterwards.
THE GOLDSMITH-BEETLE.
(Cotalpa lanigera Linn.).
This is without doubt one of our most beautiful beetles, and
as it is rather common in our state, is well known, at least to
our children, whose eyes are so sharp in detecting all sorts of
strange looking or beautiful things. The beetle is almost one
inch long, and is broadly oval in shape. It is of a lemon-yellow
color above, glistening like burnished gold, with prismatic re-
flections on the top of the head and on the thorax. The under
^sicte is copper-colored, and is thickly covered with whitish wool,
hence the name lauigcra or wool-bearer. Even the otherwise
polished upper surface is coated with an exceedingly fine down
in fresh specimens ; this, however, soon disappears, being rubbed
off. Fig. 101, Plate III, shows this beautiful insect.
Although so common it can hardly be called a very injurious
beetle. According to Saunders "this insect appears late in May
and during the month of June, and is distributed over a very wide
area, being found in most of the Northern States and in Canada ;
and although seldom very abundant, rarely does a season pass
without some of them being seen. During the day they are in-
active, and may be found clinging to the under side of the leaves-
of trees, often drawing together two or three leaves, and hold-
LAMELLICORN-BEETLES. 95
ing them with their sharp claws for the purpose of concealing
themselves. At dusk they issue from their hiding places, and fly
about with a buzzing sound among the branches of 'trees, the
tender leaves of which they devour. The pear, oak, poplar,
hickory, silver maple and sweet-gum all suffer more or less
from their attacks. Like the common May-bug, this beautiful
creature is attracted by light, and often flies into lighted rooms
in summer evenings, dashing against everything it meets with,
to the great alarm of nervous inmates. In some seasons they
are comparatively common, and may then be readily captured by
shaking the trees on which they are lodged in the daytime, when
they do not attempt to fly, but fall at once to the ground.
The beetle is short lived. The female deposilcs her eggs in
the ground at varying depths during the latter part of June, and,
Fig. 102.— Cota pa lanigera, adult and larva.— After Division of Entomology,
5J. S. Department of Agriculture.
having thus provided for the continuance of her species, dies.
The lives of the males are of still shorter duration. The eggs are
laid during the night, the whole number probably not exceeding
twenty. They are very large for the size of the beetle, being
nearly one-tenth of an inch in length, of a long, ovoid form, and
a white, translucent appearance.
"In about three weeks the young larva is hatched ; it is of a
dull-white color, with a polished horny head of a yellowish-
brown, feet of the same hue- and the extremity of the abdomen
lead-color. The mature larva (Fig. 102) is a thick, whitish,
96
LAMELLICORX-BEETLES.
fleshy grub, very similar in appearance to that of the May-bug,
which is familiarly known as the "white grub." It lives in the
ground, and feeds on the roots of plan'ts, and is thus sometimes
very destructive to strawberry plants. It is said that the larva
is three years in reaching its full growth ; finally, it matures in
the autumn, and late in ithe same season, or early in the follow-
ing spring changes to a beetle."
Among the Rhinoceros-beetles we have in Minnesota a
number of species which do not possess a shape that is in the least
like the one giving name to this group of beetles. Yet a few of
them should be mentioned, as (they are frequently sent to the
office of the entomologist to be identified.
Fig. 103. — Chalepus trachypygus. Burm. — After Division of Entomology, U. S.
Department of Agriculture.
It is well known that old manure harbors many grubs that
look very much like those producing the May-beetles. Yet they
are mostly of an entirely different character, as they change into
black, polished beetles (Fig. 103), with faint longitudinal striae
upon their wing-covers. Such beetles have received the scien-
tific name of Chalepus trachypygus Burm. The insects are harm-
less in Minnesota, notwithstanding their resemblance to the com-
mon white grub in the larval stage, and there is no danger in
using the material, in which they thrive, upon lawns and in
gardens.
Such good words can not be said about similar beetles of a
dark brown color that are fairly common wflth us. Two species
of Ligyrus are rather common in Minnesota, and a third, the
Aphomis tridentatus Say, is also found in some numbers in cer-
LAMELL1C0RN-BEETLES.
97
tain seasons and localities. The "Sugar-cane Beetle" (Ligyrus
rugiceps Lee.) sometimes causes considerable injury to sugar-
cane and corn in the Southern States. It is shown in Fig. 104.
L. f.elictus Say is exceedingly common in many places. Its larva
feeds in rotten manure- and is frequently used as bait for fish.
In British Guinea beetles similar to the Chalepus mentiond
above were so common near the fields of sugar-cane that it was
a punishment to sleep near fires started to keep away the
mosquitoes, and it was frequently a question which of the two
W.H.U\GV\0\_S.
Fig. 104. — Lygyrus rugiceps, Lee. — After Division of Entomology, U. S. De-
partment of Agriculture.
98
LAMELLICORN-BEETLES.
insects deserved the prize for being the greatest tormentor. Not
thait the beetles would bite, but they would crawl all over a per-
son, and as their feet were not clad in slippers, but were shod
with long nails in the form of sharp spines, their presence was
far from being pleasant, especially as they were "thick as bees."
Among the members of the Rhinoceros-beetles one species
should be mentioned, as it is the largest of our American beetles ;
it is well named the Rhinoceros-beetle, (Dynastes tityus Linn.),
as may be seen in the illustration (Fig. 105). The larva of this
Fig. 105. — Dynastes tityus, Linn. After Division of Entomology. U. S. De-
partment of Agriculture.
giant feeds in the roots of decaying trees, preferring old cherry-
stumps. The ash furnishes food for several allied but smaller
species, both for the adult beetles and for their larvae. In the
South, where such bad-smelling beetles are fairly common, some-
times very much so, they may be attracted by bruising willows
or other plants, and there the adults congregate to lap the sap.
It is only the male that possesses such horns, which are simply
ornamental, and not useful, as poorly fed larvae produce males
with very short horns. Notwithstanding the threatening aspect
of these nocturnal beetles they are entirely harmless.
LAMELLICORN-BEETLES.
99
Among the Flower-beetles, so called because many of them
feed upon the pollen of flowers which they visit for this purpose,
are many enemies to our trees. Yet they are not always in-
jurious in eating- the pollen, as a number of them repay any
small damage they may cause by pollenizing the flowers visited.
Of course if they also eat ripe fruits, corn in milk, or other useful
substances, they become troublesome. Most of these fairly large
and frequently brightly colored beetles are flattened or nearly
level on the back ; the claws of the tarsi are of equal size.
THE SOUTHERN JUNE-BEETLE, OR FIG-EATER.
(Allorhina nitida Linn.).
This beetle, luckily not found in Minnesota, but occurring
not far from our southern borders, is a good-sized insect, an inch
Fig. 106. — Allorhina nitida, Linn. — After Division oJ Entomology, U. S. De-
partment of Agriculture.
or more in length, which during the day flies about with a buz-
zing sound like that of a bumble-bee, and like i|t usually close to
the ground, excepting when invited by ripe fruit in the trees. It
is somewhat pointed in front, of a velvety-green color, with the
sides of thorax and head brownish-yellow. The under side is
not velvety, but is polished metallic-green, like the entire head,
100
LAMELLICORN-BEETLES.
or is dark brown with a metallic-green tinge. The thighs of the
legs are yellowish-brown. The beetle varies greatly in size and
coloration ; some measure not much more than half an inch,
and some are also almost entirely dull brown with simply one or
two broad longitudinal stripes of green upon 'their elytra. The
insect is illustrated in (Fig. 106), which also shows the peculiar
shape and sculpture of the head.
Fig. 107. — Cetonia, and larva traveling on back.
These beetles are very common in the South, and cause con-
siderable damage. Their larvae are found in richly manured soil,
where they feed upon decaying vegetable matter, and not upon
the roots of living plants. They are large white grubs, tougher
than most of those of the common May-beetles, very hairy, with
short legs, which forces them to travel on their backs instead of
their legs when removed from their burrows. To enable them
to travel in such a ridiculous manner they possess stiff bristles
upon their backs, which propel them with ease and rapidity even
over smooth ground. If put upon a table in the normal position,
LAMELLICORN-BEETLES. 101
they immediately turn upon their backs, and by the alternate
contractions and expansions of their body segments they wriggle
away in a straight line. This is also shown in Fig. 107.
Remedies against the adults are of little avail. Prof. Smith
says that a heavy top dressing of kainit and tobacco has proved
to be as effective as anything in dealing with the larvae in the
ground. If the trouble is only local, for instance if only small
lawns are injured by their presence, kerosene emulsion, diluted
ten times with water, and then washed into the soil by frequent
waterings or by rain, has proved effective. This remedy has
been very successfully applied in Washington. But as the larvse
feed upon decaying vegetable matter, or only in soils richly
manured, their presence in large numbers is only injurious in dry
weather, since the burrows made by them have 'the influence of
drying the soil very rapidly. During a wet season the damage
they cause is very slight, and many such grubs may be in a
lawn without in any way revealing their presence. The insect
is injurious only in the winged stage, and very decidedly so if
at all numerous.
The genus Euphoria represents the more typical flower-
beetles, which are distinguished by the margin of each wing-cover
having near its base a large wavy indentation, which enables
these sun-loving insects to expand their true wings very rapidly,
hence they can fly as soon as they wish, without any long prepara-
tion, which is necessary in other cases described before. The
mouth of such beetles is provided with a brush for sucking pollen.
A number of such beetles are found in Minnesota, but only one is
very common and decidedly injurious.
THE INDIAN CETONIA.
(Euphoria inda Linn.).
This is a yellowish-brown beetle, having the wing-covers
covered all over with small and irregular black spots, which in
some well-marked specimens form confused bands across the
wing-cases. The whole insect is covered more or less densely
102 LAMELLICORN-BEETLES.
with short, fox-colored hairs. The under side of the body is
black, and also hairy ; the legs are dull black. The species varies
greatly in color and markings; when quite fresh, especially late
in summer, they are very much brighter than early in spring,
after hibernating all winter in the ground.
These beetles are the earliest and latest of our flower-beetles.
In spring, long lie tore vegetation has started, they may be seen
flying along close to the ground, with a loud, humming sound.
Moist spots, especially near fresh manure, are frequently visited
by them. During the early summer none are seen, but later
they again become numerous, and now they frequent the flowers
of thistles in great numbers. This would not constitute a crime,
but these beetles are also very fond of both tassels and green silk
of corn plants, and equally so of the young corn still in the
milk, from which they suck the juice. Still later they invade the
ripening fruits of all kinds, and burrow in them almost to the
middle, as can be seen in the illustration, (Fig. 108, Plate I). In
this manner they destroy ripe apples, pears, peaches and grapes ;
and it they do not actually eat these substances entirely they at
least cause decay. Fruit left to dry is frequently invaded and
injured by them. The normal food consists of the sweet sap
which exudes from bruised and wounded trees, and it is not un-
common to see them swarm about a bleeding tree as would a
swarm of bees. They are very active and fly almost as readily
as the tiger-beetles; they are also very strong, and it is almost
impossible to hold them between the fingers, excepting by using
such force as to crush them.
Manx- years ago, when engaged by Dr. Le Baron to make
illustrations of beetles for him under the direction of Prof. Riley,
the writer had collected many balls of the common tumble-bug,
so as to obtain its eggs and larvae. Incidentally a white grub was
added to these balls, which were kept in a tin box, and it was
found that this larva ate into such balls. The larva transformed
into the beetle under discussion.
When the beetles fly about in search of places in which to
deposit their eggs, they may be seen in large numbers hovering
LAMELLICORN-BEETLES.
103
over refuse heaps coming from the kitchen. Here at the Experi-
ment Station spoiled melons, potatoes and similar substances are
carted away to a low place in the adjoining- fields, where thev
decompose. This is the headquarter for such beetles and the
ground is crowded with their larva?. As there is no vegetation
growing in these places the larvae evidently feed only upon such
decaying- material. These, as well as those mentioned before as
feeding in old manure, are almost entirely used for bait by the
young fishermen living in the vicinity of our numerous northern
lakes ; they use 'them simply because in such places the angle-
worms have not vet been introduced.
Fig. 109. — Euphoria indn, Linn,
ment of Agriculture.
-After Division of Entomology, V. S. Depart-
The larva of the E. inda is more robust than the common
white grub, especially the abdominal segments. Mandibles and
legs are short, the spiracles are prominent, and there is a yellow
plate on the side of the first thoracic segment. These larv?e also
travel upon their backs with great ease, hut not so swiftly as
those of the Fig-eaters. The different stages of this noxious
beetle are given in the illustration (Fig. 109).
THE .MELANCHOLY CETONIA.
{Euphoria melancholies. Gory).
This beetle is a little smaller than the one just described, and
is dark brown, almost black, with wavy impressed lines across
the wing-covers, which are made prominent by being filled with
104 LAMELLICORN-BEETLES.
white scales. The insect looks polished and a little metallic, and
has only the thorax covered with fine hairs, barely visible except
in certain lights. It is not nearly so numerous, but otherwise has
similar habits as R. inda. Tt is most frequently found in flow-
ers. In the South, where it is much more common, it is often
found about the holes made by the boll-worms in cotton-bolls,
evidently enjoying- the exuding sap. The beetle looks similar
to the one illustrated in Fig. 107, but is also illustrated in
Fier. no.
Fig. 110. — Euphoriame- Fig. 111. — Osmoderma Fig. 112. — Osmoderma sca-
lancholica, Gory. -After eremicola, Knoch. -After bra, Beauv. — After Harris.
Saunders. Harris.
A number of other species of this interesting genus of
beekles occur only in the nests of ants. It is difficult to account
for their presence, but it is believed that their larvae are beneficial
to the colony of ants by cutting up the wood and roots found in the
lower parts of the nest. They may, perhaps, also secrete some
sweet liquid, used by the ants as food. At least some closely
allied beetles, belonging also to the flower-beetles, to the genus
Cremastochilus, are known to furnish food to the ants, hence are
protected by them.
THE HERMIT FLOWER-BEETLES.
(Osmoderma eremicola Knoch).
This and the closely allied Rough Flower-beetle (0.
scabra Beauv.), are rather large insects measuring an inch or more
in length, the former species being the largest. Both species are
LAMELUCORN-BEETLES. 105
fairly common in Minnesota, and are frequently received by the
entomologist to name them and describe their habits. The former,
( eremicola), is a flat, deep mahogany-brown beetle, nearly smooth
and highly polished. The latter, (scabra), is purplish-black, and
has the wing-covers roughened with irregular and coarsely punc-
tured striae; it has a bronzed appearance. Both beetles are noc-
turnal in their habits and hide during the day near the base of
trees. Though not frequently seen they are common enough.
The insects feed upon the sap of injured trees, but have also been
seen enjoying a ripe apple. Fig. ] 10 shows 0. eremicola and Fig.
ii2. O. scabra.
The larva; of both species live in the decaying wood of the
apple, as well as that of the cherry and other trees ; here they
consume the wood and induce more rapid decay. The larva is a
large, fleshy "white grub", with a hard and reddish head and
horny scales on the prothorax. When mature, late in autumn,
each larva forms for itself an oval cell of the fragments of wood,
which are cemented together with a glutinous material so as to
be water proof. Inside this cocoon it undergoes its transforma-
tions, appearing as a beetle during the month of July, August, or
early September. Frequently a number of such larvae are found
together in the same place, and in this case they can cause con-
siderable injury.
Some closely allied beacles are also lovers of fruit and
flowers, but cause no damage. The peculiarly marked Gnorimks
maculaius Knoch was once found in large numbers eating the
liowers of the shadberry, a plant frequently grown not only for
ornamental purposes but also on acount of its pleasantly flavored
fruit. Several species of a still smaller species of flower-beetles
belonging to the genus of Trick ins are very fond of flowers, and
especially so of the rose ; here they sometimes cause much injury
by eating both pollen and petals. They are diurnal in their habits,
and are readilv detected in such flowers. Some of these beetles
are very pretty, of a brown, black, dark blue, or even metallic
green color, marked with white lines, and an abundance of soft
hairs, as may be seen in Fig. I T3, Plate VI.
106 LAMELLICORN-BEETLES.
The vegetable-feeding lamellicorn beetles conitain no directly
beneficial insects, but a number of more or less injurious ones,
causing, generally speaking, but slight losses, lint most of their
larvae are decidedly injurious, and all are similar in shape to the
well known "white grubs". Prof. Smith writes that:
"Taken as a whole, the lamellicorns contain no directly ben-
eficial insects, and the white-grub larvae are in many cases in-
jurious when the\ feed on the roots of cultivated plants. Where
a variety of cultivated crops follow each other, there is little
chance for their excessive development, and frequent rotation
is therefore indicated, with as short a period in grass as may be.
As the beetles in most cases appear in spring, and oviposit late in
May or in June, land bare at that time will probably escape. Fall
sowing of crimson clover, to be turned under by the middle of
May or before, will in some cases protect the land and ac!t as a
green manure if required; or it may be allowed to remain until
mature to make hay, and, if then ploughed and put into potatoes
or some crop which the white grubs do not attack, such as are then
in the ground will be starved out. Where white grubs are abund-
ant, strawberries should not follow sod or other grass crops di-
rectly, and the beds should be kept clean, at least through the
second year. Where the culprits are species of Lachnostcnia.
fall ploughing is indicated, since this will turn out the newly
formed beeftles at an unseasonable period, and will cause their
death in most cases".
E. PLANT-EATERS.
( Phytophaga).
We now reach the large series of beetles which belong to the
Phytophaga or Plant-eaters, beetles distinguished by very long
and thread-like feelers, and which possess apparently four-jointed
tarsi, with the third joint deeply lobed. This series of more or
less injurious beetles is divided into two families, the Ceramby-
cidae or Long-horned Beetles. (Bock-kfefer of the Germans), and
the Chrysomelidae. or Leaf-beetles,
LONG HORNED BEETLES. 107
There is still another small family of beetles that is located
between the lamellicorns and the true cerambycids. It is the
family Spondylidae, composed of but a few species of beetles.
One of them is very common in Minnesota, especially under the
bark of pine trees. It is the Brown Parandra, ( Parandra
brunnca Fab.), an insect of a mahogany-brown color, highly pol-
ished, with short feelers, which have deep impressions in which
are situated 'the organs of special sense. It is shown in ( Fig.
114, Plate IV).
FAMILY LONG-HORNS.
( Ccrambycidac) .
This large family contains about six hundred described
species in North America alone. The beetles composing it are of
medium or large size, graceful in form, and some are very beau-
tiful in color and markings. Their body is oblong, often cylin-
drical, with a vertical, broad head armed with large mandibles.
The eyes are peculiar, being hollowed out (lunate) on the inner
side, with the feelers implanted in the hollows ; the latter are
long, sometimes longer than the whole body, tapering towards
the tip, especially in the males, and are, with the exception of the
Prionidae, composed of eleven joints. Their legs are also usuallv
very long, and the joints of the tarsi, with long claws, are well
adapted to anchor them safely upon the trees on which they hide
and feed. Nearly all long-horns can run and fly with almost
equal ease, but some species living in the Western treeless prairies
possess no true wings. As a general rule, however, these beetles
depend more upon hiding for tbeir safety than upon running or
flying, and in many cases their colors and markings blend ex-
ceedingly well with the objects upon which they rest. When
held between the fingers some of them can produce a sort of in-
dignant squeaking by rubbing together the prothorax and meso-
thorax ; but some of them also produce this sound, stridulation,
to call their mates.
The larvae are borers, living in the solid parts of trees and
108 LONG HORNED BEETLES.
shrubs, or beneath the bark. They are white or yellowish, with
a soft body, in which the joints are well separated by deep in-
cisions, and which tapers slightly from head to tail. The first
joints are usually enlarged and hammer-shaped, and covered with
a horny plate, but are not flattened as are those of the "saw-
horned borers" already described. Some larvae possess the usual
number of very small thoracic legs, but the majority have no legs
alt all, and move up and down in their burrows by alternate con-
tractions and extensions of the body, or by means of peculiar
projections or hunches on the segments. Many of them keep one
end of their burow open, through which they push out the frass,
(chips and castings), and their presence is often detected by the
little heaps of sawdust on the bark or beneath it on the ground ;
others are, however, entirely enclosed in their burrows, leaving
the frass in a compact mass behind them as they extend their
burrows in front.
In contradiction to the "saw-horned" or "flat-headed borers"
they are frequently called "hammer-headed borers," or "round
headed borers". All these larvae possess powerful jaws which
enable them to chew food composed of the hardest wood. After
passing one, two, or three years in the larval state they transform
to pupae inside the burrows, and soon afterwards change to the
adult beetles. Before changing to a pupa the larva in many
cases transforms a portion of the long burrow into a pupal cham-
ber by means of a plug of chips. With few exceptions such larvae
attack only dead or dying ,trees, or plants weakened in some way,
perhaps by fire, by transplanting, by pruning, by storms, or by in-
sects belonging to other families of beetles.
This extensive family is divided into three sub-families,
which are separated as follows :
A. Sides of the prothorax with a sharp margin Prioninae.
A. A. Prothorax not margined.
B. Front tibiae not grooved; palpi never acute at tip. .Ceramby-
cinae.
B. B. Front tibiae obliquely grooved on the inner side :
palpi with the last segment cylindrical and pointed. Laminiae
LONG HORNED BEETLES. 109
The prion ids (Prioninae) are large, sometimes very large
beetles. They have the sides of the prothorax prolonged out-
wards into a thin, more or less toothed margin. The wing-covers
are usually leathery in appearance, and of a brownish or blackish
color.
THE BROAD-NECKED PRIONUS.
(Prionus laticollis Drury).
This gigantic borer, not uncommon in our state, measures
in the larval stage from two and a half to three inches in length ;
i't is of a yellowish-white color, with a small, horny, reddish-
brown head, to which are fastened exceedingly dark and hard
jaws ; a bluish line marks the center of the back. This large grub
cuts a cylindrical hole a little below the surface of the ground,
into the roots of plants, such as the grape-vine, blackberry, oak,
cherry, and apple. If the root is small, barely large enough to
contain the larva?, nothing but a thin skin of bark is left to hide
the intruder. The same larva is sometimes also found in open prai-
ries away from other roots than those of the plants growing in
such places. In such cases the borer is an external feeder, but
it never grows to the formidable size of others feeding inside of
roots, and as a consequence the adult beetle of this form found
in prairies are much smaller, and of a very much lighter color.
The larva feeds for about three years, when it changes toward
the end of June to a pupa within the root it had occupied. Of
course where such borers abound the injury is great, and if a tree
is badly infested nothing remains but 'to dig it out and burn it.
Even large trees can be killed by such borers; the grape and
apple seem to be able to stand the injury better than other plants,
but they also suffer very much, even if not killed outright. In
berry patches infested with such insects a sudden wilting of the
plants in a hill, or part of a hill, indicates their presence, and
steps should at once be taken to find and destroy them.
The beetles, which vary in length from less than one inch to
two inches, and even more, are of a pitchy-black color; in the
110
LONG HORNED BEETLES.
prairie forms they are sometimes yellowish-brown. They possess
powerful jaws; the twelve-jointed feelers are in the female rather
slender, in the male longer, stouter and toothed; the thorax is
short and wide, armed at the sides with three teeth. The leathery
wing-covers have three slightly elevated lines each, and are
thickly punctuate. The female is a rather bulky beetle, the male
much smaller with a shorter body. The illustration, (Fig. 115),
shows this beetle in its various stages, and Fig. 116, Plate VI one
still in its burrow but ready to leave.
Fig. 116. — Prioaus laticollis, Drury.— After Riley.
Another species (P. imbricomis Linn.), or the "Tile-horned
Prionus," is also found in Minnesota ; it is similar to 'the one de-
scribed, and has the same habits, but is not so common. The
early stages are almost identical in appearance, but the male
beetle has received the above name because the joints of the
feelers overlap one another like tiles on a roof. There is another
LONG HORNED BEETLES.
Ill
Fig. 117. — Prionus imbricornis, Linn.
Male.— After Riley.
Fig. 117»4. — Phvmatodus amcenus.
Say. -After Division! if Entomology,
U. S. Department of Agriculture.
rather remarkable difference in these two species, viz. : laticollis
has in both sexes twelve-jointed antennae, while in imbricornis
the feeler of the male is composed of nineteen, that of the female
of about sixteen joints. Fig. 117 shows the male of imbricornis.
The Typical Cerambycids, (Cerambycinac), contain about
four hundred North American species, divided into more that one
hundred genera.
THE GRAPE-VINE 1'HYMATODES.
(Phymatodes amoenus Say).
This beautiful beetle is frequently sent to the entomologist
as being destructive to the grape-vine. But this is not exactly
the case, although there is no doubt that it is frequently found
about such plants. But it only feeds in its larval stage in dead
or dying wood, hence all vines properly (trimmed will not harbor
it. The dead vines of the wild grape, however, offer an excellent
abode for it. The beetles are bright blue, with a yellowish-red
thorax. They appear in spring, and deposit their eggs in dead ~>r
dying canes. The beetle is shown in Fig. i\j l />.
Closely allied species of Phymatodes are frequently very nu
merous about cordwood ; here they breed in such numbers that
'the bark is often loosened by their larvae, and slips off entirely
112
LONG HORNED BEETLES.
(luring the following spring. The wood-men on that account call
them "Bark-slippers." Other species in the Southern States are
very apt to injure tan-bark. Trees cut in summer or early in
autumn, after 'the beetles have disappeared, are not attractive to
them in the following season, and escape injury.
Fig. 118. — Hylotrupes bajulus, Linn. — After Brehm.
Hylotrupes bajulus Linn., a beetle very similar in form to the
species of Phymatodes, is shown in Fig. 118; it is one of the few
longicorn beetles that burrow in the larval state in dead wood,
even after it has been used for building purposes.
THE BELTED HICKORY-BORER.
(Chion ductus Drury).
This common beetle, (Fig. 119), distinguished by very
narrow wing-covers, which are armed with two little thorns to-
ward the tips, is of a hazel color, with a tint of gray produced by
the short hairs covering it ; it is also marked by an oblique ochre-
yellow band across each wing-cover, not always present, however.
The thorax is armed with a short spine on each side. The feelers
LONG HORNED BEETLES.
113
of the male are more than twice the length of the body, which
measures from three-quarters of an inch to one and a quarter
inch in length.
The larva of this beetle feeds in the wood of hickory and
walnut. Here it forms long galleries in the trunk in the direc-
tion of the fibers of the wood, and in such a gallery it later under-
goes the transformations to a pupa and adult.
Besides the trees mentioned above as furnishing food to
these larva?, others are equally infested, as the oaks ; even plum
and apple trees do not escape.
Fig. 119. — Cbion cinctus, Drury. — After
Harris.
Fig. 1 2 1 V2. — Cylleaedecorus, Oliv.-
After Leconte.
OAK PRUNER.
(Elaphidion parallelum Newm.).
The name "oak-primer" does not mean that the larvae of
these destructive beetles devote all their attention to oaks ; they
are also found in the apple, hickory, cherry, and other trees. The
name "primer" is very descriptive as the larva;, when nearly full
grown, girdle the twigs and branches inhabited by them from the
inside, not the outside, so that the first high wind of autumn and
114 LONG HORNED BEETLES.
early winter breaks them off, dropping twig and larva to the
ground. To girdle a twig from the inside is a nice trick, and it
is difficult to explain how the larva succeeds in performing it.
When we look at one of the squarely cut off twigs we can de-
tect that it has been cut in a spiral manner. The purpose of cut-
ting them off seems to be plain, being done to preven't the drying
of the wood, which in contact with the ground and covered with
snow during the winter, is not apt to become (too dry for the re-
quirements of the enclosed insect. In such burrows, usually
made in the tips of twigs and smaller branches, the larva winters,
and completes its 'transformation in the month of June or July
following.
Under infested trees we can find such fallen twigs in large
numbers during the fall, and as they contain the culprit it is of
course very simple to gather and burn them. These insects are,
however, ndt an unalloyed evil, as they tend to make our shade
trees near the house much denser by forcing the plant to produce
a number of small twigs instead of a few large ones.
The insect also attacks the wood of young shoots, especiallv
if these should have been injured by fire, or by the tramping of
ca'ttle. The writer has seen an extreme case, in which these in-
sects in less than five years destroyed all the young growth of
trees over an area of several hundred acres. In this case the
land was covered with a very dense growth of black oak, pop-
lars, hazel and other plants. As soon as cattle were permitted to
force their way through this tangle of small trees to reach a lake
surrounded with pastures, narrow cattle paths were first formed
which soon widened to broad avenues, as the bruised trees in-
vited destruction by all kinds of insects, but especially by these
pruners. Their presence could easily be detected by 'the fact that
the whole ground was covered quite deep with pruned twigs.
Five years later only a few stumps of the larger trees, with the
exception of some few poplars and willows that sprang up as soon
as the oaks disappeared, remained.
The adult beetles are very elongated, brown, covered with a
whitish, mottled pubescence ; they have long and rather stout an-
LONG HORNED BEETLES. 115
tennae, which in some species are armed with horns ; their narrow
wing-covers possess two smaller pointed projections at their pos-
terior extremity, one on each side.
A numher of species occur, all similar in general appearance
and habits. The Parallel Elaphidion (E. parallelum Newm.),
is the most common one. The female lays eggs near the axii of
one of the leaf buds, where the young larva also enters the twig,
enlarging the channel as it increases in size.
The Apple-tree Pruner, (E. villosum Fab.), is very sim-
ilar in general appearances. The feelers of the male are longer
than the body, which is covered with short grayish hairs, which
in some places are crowded together on the thorax and elytra,
forming pale spots- The under side of the body is chestnut-
brown. Prof. Saunders describes the habits of this species of
beetle as follows :
"The peculiar habits and instincts of this insect are very
interesting. The parent beetle places an egg in the axil of a leaf
on a fresh green twig proceeding from a moderate sized limb.
When the young larva ha'tches. it burrows into the center of the
twig, and down towards its base, consuming in its course the soft
pulpy matter of which this part of the twig is composed. By
the time it reaches the main limb, it has become sufficiently ma-
tured to be able to feed upon the harder wood, and makes its
way into the branch, when the hollow twig is vacated, grad-
ually withers, and drops off. The larva, being now about half
grown, eaits its way a short distance through the middle of the
branch, and then proceeds deliberately to sever its connections
with the tree by gnawing away the woody fiber to such an extent
that the first storm of wind snaps the branch off. This is
rather a delicate operation for the insect to perform, and requires
wonderful instinctive skill, for should it gnaw away too much
of the woody interior the branch might break during the pro-
cess, an accident which would probably crush the workman to
death ; but the insect rarely miscalculates ; it leaves the bark and
just enough of the woody fiber untouched to sustain the branch
until it has time to make good its retreat into the burrow, the
116
LONG HORNED BEETLES.
opening of which it carefully stops up with gnawed fragments
of wood. If the limb be short, it severs all the woody fibers,
leaving it fastened only by the bark ; if longer a few of 'the
woody fibers on the upper side are left ; and if very long and
heavy, not more than three-fourths of the wood will be cut
through. Having performed the operation, and closed its hole so
thait the jarring of the branch when it fall may not shake out
the occupant, the larva retreates to the spot at which it first en-
tered the limb. After the branch has fallen it eats its way grad-
Fig. 120. — Elaphidium villosum, Fab.— After Division of Entomology, U. S.
Department of Agriculture.
ually through the center of the limb for a distance of from six
to twelve inches, when, having completed its growth, it is trans-
formed to a pupa within the enclosure. Sometimes this change
takes place in the autumn, but more frequently it is deferred un-
til the spring, and from the pupa the beetle escapes during the
month of June.
"The larva, (Fig. 120), when full grown is a little more
than half an inch long, thickest towards the head, tapering grad-
ually backwards. The head is small and black, body yellowish-
white, with a few indistinct darker markings. It has six very
LONG HORNED BEETLES. 117
minute legs attached to the anterior segments. The pupa is about
the same size as the larva, of a whitish color, and is also shown
in its burrow.
"Birds are active agents in the destruction of these larvae;
they seek them in their places of retreat and devour them. Should
they a't any time become very numerous they may easily be dis-
posed of by gathering the fallen branches and burning them
before the insect has time to mature."
Several other beetles of this genus are also destructive, and
especially so in the orange-growing states, where the Unarmed
Girdler (E. inerme Newm.), destroys the twigs of orange trees.
It is called "unarmed" because the beetle lacks the two spines
at the tip of the elytra. Of course i!t is not necessary for our
fruit growers to prepare themselves to fight this beetle.
THE TWO-SrOTTED HICKORY BORER.
(Tylonotus bimaculatus Hald.),
This beetle, (Fig. 121, Plate V), equal in size to the "apple-
tree primer," but broader, is a rather pretty insect, dark-brown,
with either two yellowish spots near the tips of the elytra, which
are unarmed, or with four spots, two of which form almost a band
across the wings. Our specimens in Minnesota are almost in-
variably four-spotted.
The larva of this beetle feeds in the wood of hickory, but-
ternut, and walnut, and is sometimes quite numerous and corres-
pondingly injurious by destroying the terminal twigs of such use-
ful trees. It occurs also under the bark of the white or paper
birch, and in the ash.
THE TWO-SPOTTED MOLORCHUS.
. (Molorchus bimaculatus Say).
This peculiar small beetle, about a third of an inch in
length, is not mentioned because it is very destructive, but be-
cause it differs from nearly all our longicorns in having the
wing-covers only half as long as the abdomen. It has a very
118 LONG HORNED BEETLES.
slender body, black, with head and thorax coarsely punctured ;
each of the short wing-covers has a yellowish dash almost par-
allel with the inner margin ; the feelers and legs are brownish.
The larva of 'this beetle has been found in hickory twigs and
branches ; also in those of the maple. The beetles themselves
are very active, and fly about flowering shrubs during the warm
and sunny days of June and July.
We have a large number of very prettily marked longi-
corn beetles which fly about during the day as actively as wasps,
visiting flowers for the sake of their pollen and honey, and
which race up and down the trees in which they were born or in
which they intend to lay their eggs. Those interested in flowers,
and especiallv in golden-rods, must have seen such beetles, us-
ually of a dark brown or almost black color, marked with wavy
golden-yellow lines across their wing-covers. A species not
uncommonly found upon golden-rods in our prairies, away from
any forests, is shown in Fig. 121^2- It is Cyllcnc decorus Oliv.
Some similar beetles are very destructive in their earlier stages,
and on this account it is, or was, even forbidden to plant such
trees as the locust. Maples, ash, hickories, walnut, butternut,
and other trees suffer equally, and therefor two of the insedts
will be described and illustrated.
THE PAINTED HICKORY-BORER.
(Cyllene pictus Drury).
This and the Locust-borer (C. robiniac Forst), are very
similar in size, color and markings. The illustrations (Figs. 122
and 123) on Plate IV are excellent ones and were kindly loaned
by Prof. Webster, the entomologist of Ohio.
The former, (pictus), appears as a beetle only in spring; the
latter, (robinix), only towards fall, when large numbers of them
may be collected upon the flowers of the beautiful golden-rod.
The "painted hickory-borer" is a velvety black beetle, with nu-
merous narrow, pale-yellow transverse bands upon the elytra
and across the thorax. With a little imagination one of these
LONG HORNED BEETLES. 119
wavy lines looks like a "W". The legs are dark-red as are the
feelers; in the "locust-borer" the yellow color is darker, and the
wavy lines are usually a little broader.
The larvse of both bore under the bark of their respective
food-plants, and later into the solid wood, where they attain
their growth in less than a year. The locust-borer is a serious
.pest, making the growing of the sweet-scented locust almost im-
possible in many localities, and in not a few places such trees
have been completely destroyed. As soon as a tree attains a
moderate size it is riddled with the large holes made by the larvae,
and for a few years leads but a sickly life, eventually dying
down to the ground.
Prof. Packard in his fine work: "Insects Injurious to Forest
and Shade Trees" gives the following remedies against such bor-
ers as the robiniae ;" An excellent way to save a valuable shade tree
from the attacks of this borer is to thoroughly soap the trunk
late in August, so as to prevent the beeftle from laying the eggs
early in September. All insects breathe through little holes;
now, if a film of soap, or grease, or oil of any kind closes the
openings of these breathing pores, the air cannot enter the res-
piratory tubes which ramify throughout the interior of the body,
and the insect dies by asphixiation, i. e. drowns." Harrison
states 'that whitewashing and covering the trunks of trees with
grafting composition may prevent the female from depositing
her eggs on isolated trees. A coating of oil, whether it really
kills the worms in the manner suggested or not, is an excellent
remedy, as it is offensive to the female beetles. It is an im-
provement, however, to add a little Paris-green or London-
purple which fill the cracks with a fine film of these poisons ;
if eggs are deposited the larva; hatching from them will be pois-
oned in eating their way into the wood. To whitewash a 'tree
looks bad, and moreover is apt to attract the beetles, as insects
of this kind are attracted to white objects.
An allied, but larger species, varying from velvety brownish-
black and unspotted to an intense black beetle with bright yellow
spots, sometimes united into wavy bands, is getting rather com-
120 LONG HORNED BEETLES.
mon in our state, where it infests the ash. It is very destructive
when at all numerous.
A large number of smaller but equally beautiful beetles be-
long to this family. All are more or less injurious, but not to
fruit-producing plants, being most abundant in evergreen forests.
Some few other longicorn beetles also belong here, which
are more or less injurious to wild plants. In places where the
elderberries are utilized a most beautiful beetle is sometimes
injurious, because its larva bores and feeds in the pith of these
plants. The beetle is quite common in June and July, and is
found resting upon the foliage, but is wide awake and ready
to seek safety in flight.
The Elderberry Beetle, (Desmoaerus palliatus Forst.), is
dark blue with greenish reflections. The basal half of the wing-
covers is orange-yellow, and in strong contrast with the rest of the
body. The black feelers have the middle joints thickened at che
outer ends, so that they look like a series of knots, for which
reason the beetle is sometimes called "Knotty Horn". It is shown
in Fig. 124, Plate VI.
There is another large series of very beautiful longicorn -bee-
tles which are frequently observed, as they are visitors to our flow-
ers, in which, covered with pollen, they are sometimes barely visi-
ble. On account of this they are certainly beneficial, even if their
larva? burrow into the wood of trees. The wild chestnuts in
more southern regions would not produce so many nuts if their
flowers were not so profusely scented, thus attracting beetles of
this kind, which are not slow to accept such invitations.
To show how at least one of these beetles looks, the des-
cription of Gaurotcs cyanipennis Say. an insect living in the wood
of butternut, is given. The beetle is black, tinged with copper ;
the feelers and legs are reddish-brown, and the elytra are of a
most beautiful violet, blue or blueish green color, and are highly
polished. It is shown in Fig. 125, Plate IV, and a member of the
genus Strangalia in Fig. 126.
Among the Lamiid Longicorns (Lamiinae) we also have
a large number of fine beetles, some of which are decidedly
L')NG HORNED BEETLES.
121
injurious, not alone to forest trees, but to fruit-producing trees as
well. Members of this group of beetles have a roundel pro-
thorax, frequently armed with rather long thorns, but not always
so; their fore-tibise are grooved on the inner side, and the last
segment of the palpi is cylindrical and pointed.
/>
Fig. 126. — Straagalia spec. — After Brehm.
THE AMERICAN CURRANT-BORER.
{Pscnoccrus supernotatus Sayj.
It is not uncommon at all to find a small larva in the branches
and smaller shoots of our currant bushes, which in early spring
changes to a small, brown, and slightly flattened beetle, rarely ex-
ceeding one-quarter of an inch in length. It is beautifully marked,
although some specimens are almost unicolored. Bright-colored
specimens are clothed with white hair, which is grouped so as
to form two white spots towards the end of the wing-covers,
frequently so broad as to join at the suture, in which case they
are lunar in shape. In the center is another fine and wavy white
line, sloping from the sides back to the suture, and enclosing an al-
most black space. The scutellum is also white.
122
LONG HORNED BEETLES.
If this insect (Fig. 127) should become abundant enough to
become troublesome, it can be held in check by close pruning
during the late fall or winter; the cuttings should be burned be-
fore spring to destroy the larva; in them. According to Dr.
Hamilton this beetle sometimes hibernates, as he found three of
them in the folds of a Cecropia cocoon taken in February from
the currant bush.
Although not an enemy to fruit-producing plants the Saw-
yer (Monohammus confusor Kirby) is so frequently seen, so
destructive to pines, and so often received by the entomologist
to be named, that its life-history will be given in a few words.
#
Fig. 127. — Psenocerus supcrnotatus,
Sav. After Saunders.
Fig. 128. — Alonohammus confusor,
Kirby. -After Division of Entomology,
U. S. Department of Agriculture.
It is a beautiful brown or gray beetle, covered more or
less densely with a silky down, most prominent upon the thorax,
for which reason it is sometimes called the "Silver-bug." The
elytra are mottled, with raised black dots or dashes ; the thorax is
armed upon each side with a large thorn. The beetle measures
about one inch and a quarter in length, and is readily recognized
by the long feelers, which in the female are as long as the body,
and in the male twice as long. These enormously long antennae
LONG HORNED BEETLES. 123
are in constant motion when the beetle is running about and
point forward in this case ; when the owner is asleep they bend
backwards, and are close to the body.
The larva bores in the sound wood of pine and fir, making
vvhen full grown, a large hole, half an inch in diamater. It
changes to a pupa, and soon afterwards 'to the adult beetle.
Such borers are exceedingly numerous in our neglected pine
forests, invading all the trees that are injured by fire, or which
are bruised by trees felled by the axe of the wood-cutter. When
everything is quiet the gnawing of such larvae can be plainly
heard in the dry trees, which act as a sort of a sounding board.
This insect is shown still in its burrow in Fig. 128.
There is another insect, not as bulky, but nearly as long, with
equally long horns, which in the Southern States is quite des-
tructive to the mulberry. Our mulberry bushes are also invaded
by a similar, but mnch smaller bee'tle, which is, however, not
numerous enough to cause much injury.
The hickory is invaded by a number of borers, which in
more southern regions cause the loss of many young trees. The
Common Hickory-borer (Goes tigrinus De Geer), and the
Beautiful Htckory-borer (G. pulchra Hald.), as well as G.
oculaius Lee. and G. debilis Lee. belong to this genus.
the beautiful hickory-borer.
(Goes pulchra Hald.).
This insect (Fig. 129, Plate VI) is well named pulchra, mean-
ing beautiful. It measures a little over an inch in length, is reddish-
brown, and marked with dark brown in such a manner that across
the wing-covers a band is formed, which gradually shades off
into the general color of the beetle towards the tip. This mark-
ing of 'the wing-covers is produced by a close belt of fine hairs.
The beetle deposits eggs upon the different kinds of hick-
ories, frequently selecting for this purpose the smaller trees, an
inch or more in diamater. The presence of the larvae inside
124 LONG HORNED BEETLES.
sometimes forces the trunk to enlarge at that point, so Ithat a
large gall-like swelling is produced. This of course kills the tree,
which during a heavy wind breaks at this weak place.
There are a large number of small grayish longicorns, more
or less sprinkled with white scales arranged in larger spots or
irregular wavy lines, which infest all sorts of trees, and among
them our frui't trees. The beetles look like the dead bark upon
which they are usually found hiding. Most of them have their
short thorax armed with a minute spine on each side, but this is
not always the case. A few of the more important ones will
be described. In case they should at any time become numerous
enough ftp become destructive the dead twigs should be cut off
and burned, and an alkali wash applied to the bark, as rec-
ommended against the "Round-headed Apple-tree Borer," a
beetle to be described later.
THE LONG-HORNED BORER.
(Leptostylus aculifer Say).
This beetle (Fig. 130) is rather robust in shape, with long
tapering feelers, ringed with black and white. It is of a brown-
ish-gray color, with numerous small 'thorn-like points upon the
wing- covers, and a V-shaped band, margined with black, a little
behind the middle of the elytra. Some well marked and fresh
specimens are little beauties, being almost silvery white, with
dark dots on the band already mentioned. The insect measures
a little more than one third of an inch in length. It is most com-
mon during August, when it may be found hiding on the trunks
of apple-trees. Here, and also in other trees, it lays eggs, which
shortly afterwards hatch into small grubs, which enter the tree,
burrowing under the bark.
Leptostylus macula Say, a very similar beetle, is also often
found upon old apple-trees ; it probably feeds in them as a larva.
The closely related genus Liopus also furnishes a contingent
of beetles which feed in our orchards. These beetles are smaller
and more elongated. In the next genus we find a small beetle
which occurs in large numbers in old apple-trees.
LONG HORNED BEETLES.
125
THE APPLE LEPTURGES.
(Lepturges facetus Say).
This insect, though very small, as seen in the line under : the
illustration, (Fig. T31 ), is a very handsome, slender beetle, in
some cases much less than a quarter of an inch long; it is of a
pale ash-gray color, with a purplish tinge. The rather long
and hairy feelers are yellowish-brown, and are ringed with black-
at the tips of each joint. The smooth wing-covers possess
an irregular dark spot on their anterior portion, and a broad
black band across the posterior part, just leaving the tips pale-
Fig. 130.— Leptostrlus Fig. 131 .—Lepturges face- Fig. 132.— Oncideres cin-
aculiter. Say. After tus, Say. After Saunders. gulatas, Say. After Riley.
Saunders.
gray; other blackish spots and streaks are found elsewhere.
These beetles occur most numerously during late June and in
July, when they are engaged depositing their eggs on the bark
of the branches, which the young larvae enter, and in which they
undergo their transformations before the next summer.
The larva has the usual form of such borers, is about a
quarter of an inch long, slender, with the anterior segments
enlarged and the abdomen rather blunt. It is entirely covered
with fine and short hairs.
Many other beetles, which are all of about the same size,
similar color and markings, are more or less injurious to fruit
trees. By beating the small dead twigs of some trees, as 'the
oak, chestnut, hickory and others, large numbers will fall into an
126 LONG HORNED BEETLES.
inverted umbrella held beneath, and this is one of the methods
used by collectors of beetles to collect their pets.
The twig-girdler.
(Oncideres cingulatiis Say).
This fine beetle, a little more that half an inch in length, has
a very elegant but modest appearance, being of a brownish-
gray color with dull reddish-yellow dots, and having a broad
gray band across the middle of the wing-covers. The antennae
are longer than the body.
It is of rare ocurrence in Minnesota and not mentioned be-
cause it is injurious, but on account of its habit of girdling the
twigs of the hickory, pear and other trees, and its interesting mode
of laying eggs. The female lays an egg in a twig or branch, which
it then girdles a little distance below, eating a groove about one-
tenth of an inch wide, and as deep, so that a high wind breaks it
down. The foliage on such a twig wilts at once, and the wood
is then in the exact condition desired by the larva, which under-
goes its transformations undisturbed by growth or undesirable
moisture. Sometimes shade trees are also attacked, but a care-
ful gathering and burning of the fallen wood keeps the insect in
check.
The illustration (Fig. 132) shows the female at work.
Some'rimes a number of twigs are thus amputated, and it has been
reported that a persimmon branch not more than two feet long
contained as many as eight eggs, one egg being placed under
each of the successive side shoots ; in another case seven eggs
were crowded together in a small hickory branch only three
inches long, which shows tha't this insect can become decidedly
injurious if at all numerous.
THE ROUND-HEADED APPLE-TREE BORER.
(Sapcrda Candida Fab.).
This is one of the worst and most familiar orchard pests,
preferring to bore into the apple, although the quince is as badly
LONG HORNED BEETLES. 127
infested ; it also occurs in the pear, hawthorns and some other
plants. The beetle appears late in June or July, and is ndt found
in large numbers in our state. Prof Saunders gives the follow-
condensed description of this beetle and its work :
"The Round-headed Apple-tree Borer is a native of America
whose existence was unrecorded before 1824, when it was de-
scribed by Thomas Say. The year following, its destructive
character was observed about Albany, ;\. Y. It is now widely
and generally distributed, and probably it was so at that time,
although unnoticed, since it inhabits our native crab and thorn
bushes, and also the common June-berry, Amelanchier canadensis.
While preferring the apple, it also makes its home in the quince,
pear and mountain-ash. In its perfect state it is a very handsome
beetle, about three-fourths of an inch long, cylindrical in form,
of a pale-brown color above with two broad creamy white
stripes running the whole length of its body ; the face and under
surface are hoary-white, the antenna? and legs are gray. The
females are larger than the males and have shorter antennae.
The beetle makes its appearance during the month of June and
July, usually remaining in concealment during the day, and
becoming active at dusk.
"The eggs are deposited late in June, in July and most :>f
August, one in a place, in an incision made by the female in the
bark of the tree near its base. Within two weeks the young
larvae are hatched, and at once commence with their sharp man-
dibles to gnaw their way to the interior.
"It is generally conceded that the larva is three years in
reaching maturity. The young ones lie for the first year in the
sap-wood and inner bark, evcavating flat shallow cavities, about
the size of a silver dollar, which are filled with their saw-dust
like castings. The holes by which they enter being small, they
are soon filled up, though not until a few grains of castings have
fallen from them. Their presence may, however, be detected in
young trees from the bark becoming dark-colored, and some-
times dry and dead enough to crack. Through these cracks
some of the castings generally protrude and fall to the ground in
128
LONG HORNED BEETLES.
a little heap ; this takes place especially in the spring of the year,
when, with frequent rains, the heaps become swollen by the ab-
sorption of moisture. On the approach of winter the larva
descends to the lower part of its burrow, where it doubtless re-
mains inactive until the following spring.
"During the next season it attains about half its growth,
still living in the sap-wood, where it does great damage, and
when, as often happens, there are several of these borers in a
single tree, they will sometimes cause its dea'th by completely
girdling it. After another winter's rest, the larva again becomes
Fig. 133. — Saperda Candida, Fab.— After Division of Entomology, U. S. Depart-
ment of Agriculture.
active, and towards the end of the following season, when ap-
proaching maturity, it cuts a cylindrical passage upwards, vary-
ing in length, in'to the solid wood, afterwards extending it out-
ward to the bark, sometimes cutting entirely through the tree,
at other times turning back at different angles. The upper
part of the cavity is then filled with a sawdust-like powder,
after which the larva returns to the part nearest the heart of
the tree, which portion it enlarges by tearing off the fibers, with
which it carefully and securely closes the lower portion of its
gallery, so as to protect it thoroughly from the approach of
enemies at either end. Having thus perfected its arrange-
LONG HORNED BEETLES.
129
merits, it again turns round so as to have its head upwards,
when it rests from its labors in the interior of the passage until
the following spring, when the mature larva sheds its skin and
discloses the pupa. In this condition it remains for about two or
three weeks, when the perfect beetle escapes. At firsft its body
and wing-cases are soft and flabby, but in a few days they harden,
when the beetle makes its way through the sawdust-like castings
in the upper end of the passage, and with i'ts powerful jaws
cuts a smooth, round hole through the bark, from which it
escapes.
Fig. 134. — Saperda Candida, Fab. — a. puncture in which esg is laid; b. same in
section; e, hoe from which beetle has emerged; f, same in section; #, pupa in its
cell. Alter Riley.
"The larva, (Fig. 133), is of a whitish color, with a round
head of chestnut-brown, polished and horny, and the jaws black.
It also has a yellow horny looking spot on the first segment behind
the head. It is without feet but moves about in its burrows by the
alternate contraction and expansion of the segments of its body.
When full grown it is over an inch in length. Fig. 134 shows the
work of this borer.
"The color of the chrysalis is lighter than that of the larva,
and it has transverse rows of minute spines on the back, and
a few at the extremity of the bodv.
13 o LONG HORNED BEETLES.
"Remedies: The young larva, as already stated, may often
be detected by the discoloration of the bark. In such instances,
if the outer dark-colored surface be scraped with a knife, lalte in
August, or early in September, so as to expose the clear white
bark underneath, the lurking enemy may be discovered and des-
troyed. Later they may be detected by their castings, which
have been pushed out of the crevices of <the bark, and have
fallen in little heaps on the ground. When first discharged they
look as if they had been forced through the barrels of a minute
double-barreled gun, being arranged closely together in two
parallel strings. Those which have burrowed deeper may some-
times be reached by a stout wire thrust into their holes, or by
cutting through the bark at the upper end of the chamber, and
pouring scalding water into the opening, so that it may soak
through the castings and penetrate to the insect.
Fig. 135.-Saperda cretata, Newm.-After Division of Entomology, U.S. Depart-
ment of Agriculture.
"Among the preventive measures, alkaline washes or solu-
tions are probably the most efficient, since experiments have dem-
onstrated that they are repulsive to the insect, and that the
beetle will not lay her eggs on trees protected with such washes.
Soft soap reduced to Ithe consistency of a thick paint by the addi-
tion of a strong solution of washing-soda in water, is perhaps as
good a formula as can be suggested; this, if applied to the bark
of a tree, especially about the base or collar, and also extended
upwards towards the crotches, where the main branches have
their origin, will cover the whole surface liable to attack; and
LONG HORNED BEETLES. 131
if applied during the morning of a warm day, will dry in a few-
hours, and form a tenacious coating, not easily dissolved by rain.
The soap solution should be applied early in June, and a second
time during the early part of July."
There are other species of Saperda, all injurious to trees.
S. obliqua Say feeds in the wood of alder and hazel ; 5". calcarata
Say is decidedly injurious to the poplar and cottonwood ; S. cre-
tata Newm. (Fig. 135), a beautiful beetle, very similar to Candida,
but with the white bands twice interrupted, also has similar habits.
being found upon apple and thorns (Crataegus spec.) ; 5". vestida,
Say, 5\ tridentata Oliv., and S. lateralis Fab., occur upon a variety
of forest trees, such as linden, poplar and others. S. disco ida,
Fab., is destructive to hickory; S. concolor, Lee, forms gall-like
swellings on the younger trunks of the aspen; S. puncticollis Sav
is found in the stems of the poison ivy and oak.
THE RASPBERRY CAXE-EORER.
(Oberea bimaculata Oliv.).
This beetle is similar to the species of Saperda, but it has
a much longer and more narrow black body ; the surface of 'the
thorax and the fore part of the breast is pale-yellow, with two
small black spots, absent in some specimens ; or there is an
additional small black spot on the posterior edge of the pro-
thorax, just where the elytra join the same . The elytra are cov-
.ered with coarse indentations, and are slightly notched at the
ends. Fig. 136, Plate IV shows this beetle and its work.
Such, or similar beetles belonging to this genus, as the
0. f'avipes Hald., which is black with yellow legs, appear during
the month of June, and after pairing the female deposits her
eggs in the canes of the raspberry and blackberry in a very singu-
lar manner: "With her mandibles she girdles the young grow-
ing cane near the tip in two places, one ring being about an incb
below the other, and between the rings the cane is pierced, and
an egg thrust into its substance near the middle, its location
132 LONG HORNED BEETLES.
being indicated by a small dark-colored spot. The supply of sap
being impeded or stopped, the tip of the cane above the upper
ring soon begins to droop and wither, and shortly dies, when a
touch will sever it at the point at which it has been girdled.
"The egg is long and narrow, of a yellow color, and quite
large for the size of the insect, and, embedded in the moist sub-
stance of the cane, absorbs moisture and increases in size until
in a few days a small white grub hatches from it. The larva as
it escapes from the egg is about one-fourteenth of an inch long,
with a yellow, smooth, glossy body, roughened at the sides, and
clothed with very minute short hairs. The head is small and red-
dish-brown, and the anterior segments of the body are swollen ; the
larva is also footless. The young larva burrows down the center
of the stem, consuming the pith, until full grown, which is usually
about the end of August, when it is nearly an inch long and of a
dull-yellow color, with a small, dark-brown head. By this time it
has eaten its way a considerable distance down the cane, (Fig. 136,
Plate IV), in which it remains during the winter, and where it
changes to a pupa, the beetle escaping the following June, when
it gains its liberty by gnawing a passage through. This borer
injures the blackberry as well as the raspberry.
"'The presence of these enemies is readily detected by the
sudden drooping and withering of the tips of the canes. They
begin to operate late in June, and continue their work for several
weeks; hence by looking over the raspberry plantation occasion-
ally at this season of the year and removing all the tops down t<>
the lowest ring, so as to insure the removal of the egg, these in-
sects may be easily kept under, for they are seldom numerous."
Other species of this genus in their larval stage make long-
cylindrical burrows in the twigs of the Cottonwood and other re-
lated trees.
Longicorn beetles are generally favorites with collectors of
insects, and are better known as beetles than as larva?. But even
people not collectors are familiar with some species, since these
do not hide, but fully expose themselves on the plants they infest.
This is especially true of certain longicorns that are found upon
LEAF-BEETLES. 133
the stems and leaves of our milkweeds, since they are of a brilliant
red color, marked with a number of black spots upon the elytra
and thorax. As larvae they feed in the roots of a number of
species of Asclepia.
FAMILY CHRYSOMELIDAE.
(Leaf -hectics or Chrysomelids) .
The name "leaf-beetle" is well chosen, as these beetles feed
both as larvae and as adults upon the leaves of plants. The scien-
tific name was selected for them from two Greek words, meaning
golden apple, since most of these insects display brilliant and
beautiful colors, and also because their form is usually round and
oval. Such beetles are mostly short-bodied, more or less oval in
outline ; the head is very short, much narrower than the pro-
thorax ; the feelers are usually of moderate length, somewhat en-
larged towards the tips, and set wide apart ; the eyes are round
and prominent ; the legs are usually short and stout, and are fur-
nished with tarsi of the same type as those of the preceding
family, being also broad and cushioned beneath.
All our species in Minnesota can readily be distinguished
from the longicorns, but such is not the case in other regions,
where forms occur that are not easily placed in the families to
which ihey belong. Most of our species are small, the well
known "Colorado potato-beetle" being about the largest represen- '
tative we have.
The larvae are variously formed, but are mostly thick, broad,
with well developed true legs. The}' live exposed upon leaves ;
some mine between the upper and lower cuticle of the leaves ; still
others cover themselves with their own excrement, while a few
bore into the stems and roots of plants.
The eggs are usually deposited in small masses upon the
leaves or stems of the plants upon which the larva feeds, and are
frequently elongated and of a yellowish or orange color.
Leaf-beetles are very numerous, about six hundred species
being found in North America alone. They are arranged in a
134
LEAF- BEETLES.
number of groups. Since all are vegetable feeders, they are more
or less injurious, and sometimes, if they attack cultivated plants,
they are very much so. Happily but few of them do so ; many
others feed upon worthless, even injurious plants, as weeds.
It is not possible to give a description of many of these beetles
in this report, not even of the eleven tribes into which the family
is divided. But to give some idea of their classification a few of
the more common ones will be described, even if they are not
destructive.
When We pick the flowers of the beautiful water lilies,
{Nymphaea), we are apt to find that their leaves are more or
less perforated with small holes, and if we look a little more close-
Fig. 137. — Doaacia — life bistory. — After Brehm.
ly we find the culprits near by. (Fig. 137.) They are very ac-
tive and graceful beetles, usually of a metallic color ; they are
generally gregarious, flying about actively in the bright sunshine.
They can run over the water, and being protected with a fine
pubescence on the under surface of their bodies do not become
wet.
Early in spring, about the time that the maples are in bloom,
we find many beetles in such flowers that belong to this family :
they are evidently of some good to the plants, for they carry the
LEAF-BEETLES. 135
pollen from flower to flower, from tree to tree. They also occur
in the flowers of the apple and plum. Their name is Orsodacna
atra Ahr.
Closely allied to them is a most beautiful beetle, but one
that is decidedly injurious. It is as yet not found in Minnesota,
but no doubt will reach us before long from the east.
THE ASPARAGUS BEETLE.
(Crioccris asparagi Linn.).
This is a small, red, yellow and black beetle, as seen in the il-
lustration (Fig. 138). It gnaws holes in the heads of young
Fig. 138. — Crioceris asparagi, Linn. — After Division of Entomology, U. S. De-
partment of Agriculture.
136
LEAF-BEETLES.
asparagus, and lays oval, blackish eggs upon them. The young
larva?, which are brown and slug-like grubs, also eat the young
heads early in spring, but later a second brood of them feeds upon
the full-grown plant. Wherever this insect occurs it causes
great losses, and steps should at once be taken to destroy it.
A beetle of similar shape, the Three-lined Lenta, ( Lema
trilineata Oliv.), but of a yellow color, with three black stripes
on the wing-covers, is very common upon our ''husk-toma'oes," or
Fij<. 139.-Lema trilineata, Oliv. After Riley.
"ground cherries," which are frequently entirely destroyed by
them and their larva. These latter have the nasty habit of cov-
ering their backs with their own excrement. As they are also
found injurious to the potato they should be killed with any of
the arsenical poisons. We have two broods of this insect, the
second brood hibernates in the ground as pupa. This species is
illustrated in Fig. 139.
THE DOMINICAN CASE-BEARER.
(Coscinoptera dominicana Fab.).
This peculiar beetle is frequently found upon the leaves of
the plum, apple, rose, oak, and other plants. It is not especially
injurious, but as it is frequently seen and has a peculiar life-his-
tory, it will be described in a few words. The name "donhnican"
has been chosen because it is neither ornate in color, being uni-
formly bluish-gray, nor prone to make itself conspicuous. It is
shown in all stages in Fig. 140. Its color is really black, with
LEAF-BEETLES.
137
the exception of a yellowish brown labrum, but this color is so
densely covered with a bluish or ash-gray pubescence as to be-
come invisible ; the under side is even more closely covered than
the upper one. The eggs are attached to all sorts of plants by
long stalks, and are covered by deep brown scales of excrement,
most beautifully arranged in such a manner that the egg seems
to be enclosed in a pine cone. The mother, in covering the egg,
holds it horizontallv between the tarsi, adding the stercoraceous
Fig-. 140. — Coscinoptera. dotninicana, Fab. — After Riley.
covering in thin curved layers, which, in other related beetles, are
pressed into various patterns by the anus. In many cases the
female also possesses a little cavity at the tip of the venter, in
which the egg is hidden if she is disturbed before the operation of
covering it is completed. This egg hatches in about two weeks,
and the young larva cuts itself loose from the shell or anchor-
age, and tumbling to the ground, has to shift for itself. The cov-
ering of the egg now forms a house for the young larva, which
lives in it, gradually adding to the rim of the case, so that the
house grows with its tenant. Inside it changes later to a pupa and
perfect insect. The larva feeds upon dead leaves laying on the
surface of the ground.
There is another beetle very common in our state, which so
closely resembles the droppings of a caterpillar that but few ex-
pect it to be a living creature, especially as the beetle, if dis-
turbed, drops to the ground and plays possum. The adult in-
sect is a little oblong, cubical, roughly shagreened, metallic-green-
138
LEAF-BEETLES.
ish beetle, found very commonly upon the foliage of raspberries,
blackberries, and that of other plants and trees. The larva of
this beetle (Chlamys plicata Oliv.) is also a sac-bearer, as may
be seen in the illustration (Fig. 141).
Other beetles, all not much longer than one-eighth of an
inch, and belonging to the genera Bassareus, Cryptocephalus,
and Pachybrachys, usually beautifully colored and marked with
Fig. 141.— Chlamys plicata, Oliv. — After Marlatt (in part).
bright spots and lines, are also found upon the foliage of fruit-
producing plants, but are not apt to cause any serious injury.
The larvae of most of them are not even known, but as far as dis-
covered they are all sac-bearers, and live as such in or about the
nests of ants.
THE GRAPE-VINE FIDIA.
(Fidia longipcs Mels.).
Whenever this insect and some closely allied ones becomes
at all numerous, it can cause considerable damage to the wild
and cultivated grape. Some years ago nearly all the leaves of
certain varieties of grape were destroyed by these beetles, which
cut straight and elongated holes, into the leaves, about one-eighth
of an inch in diameter, thus reducing them to mere shreds. The
illustration, (Fig. 142), shows this insect. In the more south-
ern states they sometimes literally swarm, and are in such cases
perfectly able to destroy the entire foliage in even large vine-
yards.
LEAF-BEETLES. 139
Though very common, the beetle is not very often seen, as it
is very watchful and shy, dropping to the ground upon the slight-
est disturbance ; in falling it doubles up its legs, and thus rolls
from the leaves, pretending to be dead. Knowing this habit
large numbers can be captured by jarring them with a stick into
an inverted umbrella. To make sure that they do not fly off
again it is but necessary to line the inside of such an umbrella
with some absorbent material, and soak this in kerosene oil. By
doing so the oil will be kept in position, and any insect coming
thorous'hlv in contact with it is doomed to die.
Fig. 142. — Fidia longipes, Mels.— After
Saunders.
Fig. 144.— Paria canella— var. 6 notata Fig. 145. — P&ria. canel/a, Fab. — After
Say. — After Saunders. Forbes.
The beetle is about a quarter of an inch long, is chestnut-
brown, but so densely covered with short whitish hairs as to ap-
pear gray and hoary. It is found early in June, and only for a
short time, after which it disappears.
THE GRAPE-ROOT WORM.
(Fidia viticida Walsh).
This beetle is very similar to the one described, and is a
rather long-legged creature, covered with short hair, so that it
appears gray. It is sometimes very injurious, especially in some
of the Central States, as Ohio, but as it occurs over a large por-
tion of our country it may cause injury almost anywhere and at
140
LEAF-BEETLES.
almost any time. This beetle also feeds, during June, upon the
foliage of the grape, eating irregular holes into the upper sur-
face. During this time the female also lays eggs on the trunk
of the vine, or in any available crevice in the branches. In such
places the eggs hatch, and the young larva? drop to the ground,
and entering it, make their way beneath it as well as they can.
Eventually the}' reach the rootlets of the vines upon which they
feed. The beetle is shown in its various stages in Fig. 143.
Fig. 143. — Fidia viticida, Walsh. — After Division of Entomology, D. S. De-
partment of Agriculture.
So far remedial measures against the larva have not proven
very satisfactory, but according to Prof. Smith, spraying with a
strong arsenical mixture, using lime to avoid burning the foliage,
will kill many of the beetles. Cultivating the ground so as to
have a loose powdery top soil, without crevices leading to the
roots, which should also be covered as deeply as possible, will
prevent many of the larvse from reaching their desired food.
LEAF-BEETLES. 141
There is still another beetle closely allied to the two species
of Fidia just described. It is reddish-brown, a little smaller,
more robust and is sometimes very common upon the foliage of
the wild grapes. It is Adoxus obscurus Linn. Last year, late
in July, it became very numerous upon some cultivated grapes,
but could be readily gathered into an inverted umbrella. The
beetles are very active and difficult to find when on the ground,
the color of their bodies blending well with the surrounding par-
ticles of soil and refuse material.
One of the larger, and by far the most beautiful of all of our
leaf-beetles is an insect very commonly found upon the two
species of dog-bane growing in our state. Their form is charac-
teristic of that of the following species, being" elongated-oval.
The beetle is entirely of a burnished metallic green color, with a
darker bluish-green thorax. Various other tints, such as gold,
brass, copper, appear if the insect is viewed in certain lights. Its
name is a well selected one, being Chrysochus auratus Fab. It is
frequently collected in large numbers by young people who ar-
range a number of butterflies in large glass cases in various pat-
terns, as for instance in that of a flying eagle, and these brilliant
beetles are frequently used to form the outlines of the picture.
THE STRAWBERRY ROOT-WORMS.
(Paria canella Fab. & others).
These very common beetles vary greatly in coloration and
markings, and a number of varieties have been described. All
are small, being about three-tenths of an inch long, polished, pale
yellowish-brown, or darker, almost black, with two, four, or six
black dots or spots upon the wing-covers. These spots are some-
times confluent, forming two longitudinal bands, or the black-
color may even cover the entire disk of the elytra; the under side
is black. These stout beetles are very active in all their motions,
moving about briskly when disturbed. They hibernate as beetles,
and are very commonly found under rubbish along the edges of
forests. From these places they frequently invade strawberry
142 LEAF-BEETLES.
beds, where they can become very destructive, and if at all nu-
merous they devour the leaves of these plants with such avidity
that they are soon riddled with holes, which of course materially
injures the crop of berries. This is especially true of the Central
States. In such cases the old beds should be plowed up and de-
stroyed as soon as the crop has been picked, and new beds should
be set out in fresh places, and for this purpose new plants are to
be selected that were free from the attack of such root-worms.
Wherever a two-year picking rotation is used, in which the old
plants are immediately destroyed, this root-borer can not increase
very greatly. Arsenical poisons are also very satisfactory used
to kill the adult when they are noticed upon the foliage, but it
would be unsafe to do so when the fruit is already well set and
large. Hellebore is also of use, and air-slaked lime dusted over
the plants will, to some extent, lessen the trouble.
Fig. 146 — Colaspis flavida , Say .—After Forbes Fig. 148. — Glyptoscelis crypti-
{in part). ' cus, Say. — After Saunders.
Prof. Forbes, who has studied, very closely the three species
of strawberry root-borers, i. e., Paria atcrrima Oliv., Colaspis
brunnea Fab., and Graphops pubesccns Mels., has also described
the early stages of these beetles. He gives a full account of them
in the "Thirteenth Report of the State Entomologist of Illinois."
Like all his reports this one is of great value to the growers of all
kinds of fruits.
By looking at the illustrations, (Fig. 145. 146, 147), which
are reduced in size from the originals made by Prof. Forbes, we
can perceive the structure of these beetles, and that of their ea»"
lier stages.
LEAF-BEETLES. 143
The larvae are all small white grubs infesting the roots and
crowns of the strawberry plants, eating the smaller roots, and
penetrating and mining the interior of the crown and main root.
These larvae possess well developed legs, while the genuine
"strawberry root-borer" described later has no legs at all. The
following table is given in the report mentioned above, to show
the difference between the three kinds of root-worms, all of which
occur in our state, but still devote their attention more to the wild
strawberries than to the cultivated ones.
Synopsis of larvae.
I. Mandibles bifid at tip.
A. Inner edge of mandibles excavated before tip,
anal segments shorter than preceding, ventral
tubercles not prominent Paria.
B. Inner edge of mandibles not excavated, anal
segments more developed than preceding, ven-
tral tubercles prominent, with long hairs Colaspis.
II. Mandibles entire at tip, inner edge excavated, anal
segment short, ventral tubercles not prominent. .Graphops.
Synopsis of pupae.
I. Anal hooks simple, incurved Colaspis.
II. Anal hooks recurved.
A. Hooks short and stout, with strong erect tooth
at upper side of base, and two long hairs on
posterior margin Graphops.
B. Hooks slighter, simple, or with slender hair at
upper side of base, no hairs on margin Paria.
"The three beetles mentioned above may be easily distin-
guished, the Colaspis being usually of a pale clay-yellow, ranging
to a yellowish brown, smooth but not shining, concolorous
throughout, or occasionally with the head and thorax green ; while
Paria is shiny black above, varying to brown, with four black-
blotches upon the wing-covers, but always with pale legs (and
144 LEAF-BEETLES.
antennae) ; and Graphops is purple or green, with a bronzed me-
tallic luster, and covered with a gray pubescence, of which both
oilier species are destitute."
As far as the adults are concerned they do not feed alone
upon the strawberries, but are rather general feeders. Colaspis
brunnea feeds by preference upon strawberry leaves early in the
season, but later becomes very destructive by eating the foliage
of the wild and cultivated grape-vine, hence is frequently named
"Grape-vine Colaspis." It also occurs upon the blossoms of
clover and willow, and upon the leaves of many kinds of trees,
as it is frequently beaten into umbrellas used to catch insects.
Paria species are also general feeders ; they do not alone in-
jure the leaves of strawberry, but those of raspberry and crab
apple as well. Many other leaves are eaten, and even the needles
of the Juniper are to their taste.
Graphops prefers the strawberry plants, but is also very par-
tial to the evening primrose, as large numbers of these beetles
are found on this plant.
The life-histories of these insects as far as known are curi-
ously different in respect to the times and periods of their de-
velopment. The larva of Colaspis appears early in the season,
and does its mischief chiefly in the months of April and May, the
beetles beginning to emerge in June. That the eggs are laid in
the preceding year is highly probable, in which case the species
hibernates in the egg.
Paria, on the other hand, certainly passes the winter as an
adult, doubtless laying its eggs in spring, and making its principal
attacks upon the plants in June and July, the beetles emerging in
the latter part of July, and early in August.
Graphops hibernates in the larval condition, pupates in the
spring, and emerges in May and June. The eggs are probably
laid in July, and the larva' make their attack upon the plant in
August and September, continuing it possibly to October as well.
As larvae all three prefer the strawberry roots and crowns,
and as far as known depend strictly upon this food. If at all
numerous they kill the infested plants very soon, since as many
LEAF-BEETLES.
145
as fifteen or twenty grubs have been found about the roots of a
single plant.
The remedies suggested for the Paria fire applicable to all.
Prof. Forbes makes the following very practicable suggestion :
"To 'rid a new field of strawberry plants it would be wise to allow
the new runners to set, in case the new plants should be suspected
of containing such root-worms, and then to destroy the recently
planted stools from which they sprang, leaving the field stocked
only with new stools, formed since the plants were set out."
Fig. 147.
-Graphops pubescens, Melsh, — After Forbes.
Fig. 149.— Nodoaota
puncticollis. Say.—
After Di ision of
Rntomolojjy, U. S.
Department of Agri-
culture.
THE CLOAKED CFIRVSOMELA.
(Glyptoscelis crypticus Say).
This is another beetle very similar to Graphops pubescens,
but according to Prof. Saunders it devours the foliage of the
apple-tree, as well as that of the oak. It is of a thick, cylindrical
form, about one-third of an inch long, with its head sunk into
the thorax, and the thorax narrower than the body. It is of a
pale ash-gray color, entirely covered with short whitish hair.
The closed wing-covers have a small notch at the top of their
suture. At the junction of the wing-covers with the thorax there
i^ a dusky spot. This insect is represented in Fig. 148.
146 LEAF-BEETLES.
THE PLUM LEAF-BEETLE.
*(Nodo)iota tristis Ol.).
This oval beetle is of a shining, dark, metallic-blue,
with legs and feelers yellow or chestnut brown; some spec-
imens are bronzed, purplish, greenish, or even very dark brown.
The thorax is densely punctuated with small dots. The dam-
age they cause is not very great, although in the South they cause
considerable injury by eating holes into die leaves of young plum
trees; the peach and apple foliage is also to their taste, as well
as that of the cherry, shad-berry, and choke-cherry, and Prof.
Ashmead reports that they "gnaw little irregular holes into the
blossoms and epidermis of the bolls of cotton, exposing them to
the weather, and causing them to drop."
The beetles are not uncommon in Minnesota, especially up-
on apple trees, but they are not frequently seen, as they have
tbe habit of hiding themselves in the folds of the leaves. The
eggs are known, but not so the larvse, which, very likely, possess
the habits of related insects, i. e., are found among the roots.
A very similar beetle, (Fig. 149), the Rose Leaf-beetle, (No-
donota puncticollis Say), is also found upon the same kinds of
plants, but seems to prefer the wild rose and blackberry ; it also
occurs on the young terminal leaves of willows, hence seems to be
a general feeder. If at all numerous these beetles can be poisoned
by means of the arsenites, and as they do not try to escape by
flight they can be captured in large numbers by inverted um-
brellas.
There are still other and similar small beetles which are more
or less destructive to our fruit-producing plants, but none cause
very serious losses, and then only at long intervals, when their
number is increased by especially favorable climatic or other con-
ditions.
Among the more typical leaf-beetles we have such forms as
the well known Colorado potato-beetle, (DorypJiora 10-lineata
Say), originally a native of the Rocky Mountains, feeding in its
old home on the sand-burr, (Solatium rostratum), a plant related
LEAF-BEETLES.
147
to the cultivated potato. As this beetle is not injurious to any
of our fruit-producing plants, but confines its attention solely to
such plants as the potato, egg-plants, tomato, ground-cherry and
other members of the Solanum family, it is not necessary to de-
scribe it in detail, and only a picture of it is given to show how it
differs from other leaf- feeding beetles. (Fig. 150 and 151, Plate
II). This beetle commenced its migrations toward the east about
the year 1859, reaching the Atlantic Coast about the year 1874.
It moved from potato-field to potato-field, and as it had at first
no enemies it increased most rapidly to destructive numbers.
Now it has many foes among other insects, birds and mammals,
and the farmers know quite well how to fight it by means of -arsen-
ical poisons. In fact the utility of Paris-green was first demon-
strated by vising it against this insect and its nasty looking larvae.
Similarly shaped insects abound in Minnesota, but none are
especially destructive, except, perhaps, the Chrysomela exclama-
Fig. 150. — Doryphora 10 lineata, Say. — After Brehm.
148
LEAF-BEETLES.
tionis Fab., a smaller yellowish-red beetle, marked with longitu-
dinal black lines, the outer ones on each wing-cover being inter-
rupted in such a manner as to look like an exclamation sign ( !).
The beetle is sometimes very numerous upon wild roses, destroy-
ing the flowers almost entirely. But as our wild roses in the
prairies are decidedly a bad weed we should not complain even if
it is a rose that suffers. C. lunata Fab., a peculairly colored
light brown beetle, marked with darker brown, bas similar fond
habits.
Several other members ui the genus Chrysomela are very
destructive to willows in our wind breaks. All can be fought
by the same means, i. e., Paris-green or London-purple; these
arsenites should be used at the rate of one pound in from seventy-
five to one hundred gallons of water, and applied bv machines, of
which many very effective and cheap ones, especially constructed
RW5
Fig. 152.— Lina tremulx. Fab.— After Bretam.
LEAF-BEETLES.
149
for this purpose, are in the market. But it should be recollected
that the spraying should be done as soon as the beetles begin feed-
ing in spring, so as to kill the adults before they have deposited
their eggs. Our people usually wait until the damage caused by
all kinds of insects becomes plainly visible, which is not a wise
thing to do, as in such a case the application of the arsenites will
simply check the trouble ; the proper way to do is to nip the
evil in the bud, and to do so an early warfare is absolutely neces-
sary.
The very similar genus Lina also contains numerous very
destructive beetles, which, however, devote all their attention to
devouring the foliage of willows and poplars, in which they suc-
ceed only too well, as may be seen in some wind-breaks, which
are defoliated year after year by these and some other insects,
and to such an extent that they are as bare of green leaves in sum-
mer as during the winter. A timely application of arsenites
would prevent this injury, which, repeated year after year, can
result in but one way, the death of the infested plants. It seems
as if many persons did not know the old proverb "an ounce of
prevention is worth a pound of cure."
One species of Lina (L. tremulae Fab.), exceedingly abun-
dant and injurious in the north, is illustrated in Fig. 152, and
a still more destructive kind, the L. scripta Fab., in Fig. 153. It
sometimes devours all the leaves of willows in our wind breaks.
'S if if
b \ c V J
Fig. 153. — Varieties of Lina scripta, Fab. — After Division of Entomology, U. S.
Department of Agriculture.
There is another small group of leaf-feeding beetles called
the Diabroticcis. They are rather slender and soft, with long
feelers ; their color is green or yellow, with black spots or lines.
Prof. Smith, in his book already mentioned, gives the following
account of them :
150
LEAF-BEETLES.
"The adults feed on leaves, flowers or pollen, but the larvae,
which are white and slender, usually feed in the roots and stems
of plants. One of our most common forms, (Diabrotica vittata
Fab.), is known as the "striped cucumber-beetle," and is yellow
with black stripes on the wing-covers. It feeds on all kinds of
cucurbit vines, and on many other plants as well ; it does injury
by eating into the stem of the young shoot at or below the sur-
face, where it has a tendency to hide during the middle of the
day. The larvas, (Fig. 154), live in the main roots under ground,
making short galleries, which, if numerous, weaken or even kill
the plants. The beetles winter as adults. A free use of tobacco
Fig:. 154-. — Diabrotica vittata. Fab. — After Division of Entomology, U. S. De-
partment of Agriculture.
dust around young vines or other injured plants is usually pro-
tective, though in some localities the farmers resort to " driving."
They do this before the middle of the day, sowing air-slaked lime
with the wind, and this seems to be sufficiently offensive to the
winged insects to induce them to leave for fields to the leeward,
where they of course become doubly injurious unless also driven
off. Planting an excess of seed to distribute the injury is common
practice, and so is starting the plants in baskets and setting them
cut when well established and able to resist injury.
"Melon and other cucurbit vines should always be plowed
out, raked up, and destroyed as soon as possible after the crop is
off, to destroy any larvae that may then be in the roots."
LEAF-BEETLES.
151
It is also a common and very effective practice to cover young
plants with a mosquito-netting, held in position by a slight frame.
Such beetles are not unfrequently found in the flowers of
apple or plum, and they are there for no good purpose.
An allied and equally common species feeding upon a great
variety of plants as an adult, is the D. 12-punctata, Oliv. or "12-
spotted Diabrotica/' (Fig. 155). This is somewhat larger than
the preceding, with a more oval body, and has twelve black spots
on the greenish-yellow wing-covers. The larva feeds on a variety
of plants, and becomes injurious to the corn in the Southern
States. There are two broods, the beetles wintering in the adult
Fig. 155. — Diabrotica 12 punctata, Oliv. — After Division of Entomology, U. S.
Department of Agriculture.
stage. No direct remedy is known, but good cultivation and a
liberal application of stimulating fertilizers is advisable to enable
the corn-plant to resist and outgrow attack. Clean culture is
the greatest essential, and this of itself will do much to reduce
injury.
In the Western and Central States a third species (Fig. 156)
is found, the "Corn-root Diabrotica," (D. longicornis Say),
152
LEAF-BEETLES.
Fig. 156. — Diabrotica longicornis, Say. — After Forbes.
named so from its long feelers. Its larva is a very serious pest.
As this species winters in the egg- stage in corn-fields a simple
rotation is all that is necessary to keep it in check. It is not found
in Minnesota, at least no specimens have been seen or received,
while the two species already described. are very common, and
the striped kind seems to be rapidly on the increase.
The genus Galeruca, as well as some closely allied other
genera, contain a series of small oblong beetles, mostly of a dirty
clay-yellow color, more or less spotted or marked with black.
Some of these beetles are very destructive, not alone to shade-
trees, but to fruit-trees as well.
THE CHERRY LEAF- BEETLE.
(Adimonia femoralis Melsh.).
In a number of states this beetle has caused considerable in-
jury to the leaves of plum, cherry, and peach. Its natural food
is the leaves of the native plum, into which it eats numerous holes.
In Minnesota it is common enough in many loca 1 ities, especially in
LE\F- BEETLES.
153
the burned region about Hinckley, where the "fire cherry,'*
{Primus Pennsylvania), has taken full possession of the ground.
It may be simply a question of time before it attacks the culti-
vated trees in our orchards as well.
The beetle is a small insect, measuring less than a quarter
of an inch in length, and is of a bright red color, with feelers,
eyes, and exterior portions of the legs black. It is densely cov-
ered with a coarse punctuation, the punctures being separated by
distinct intervals ; the surface is shiny. Such beetles are most
abundant during June or early July, and again in September ;
those appearing in June seem to represent the hibernated genera-
tion, those appearing later are their progeny. As such beetles
have been repeatedly found along the edges of woods early in
April, there can be no doubt that they hibernate as perfect in-
sects.
Fig. 157. — Galeruca xanthomeltena, Halm.— After Division of Entomology, U.S.
Department of Agriculture.
154 LEAF-BEETLES
The egg is oval, bright straw-yellow, the surface deeply pitted
with minute, rather irregular six-sided areas. The larva is about
5 mm. long, narrow, and tapering toward the end. According
to Mr. Davis, it has the head, legs, pronotum and terminal plate
black ; on the back of each segment are two transverse rectangu-
lar dark spots, with two or more smaller ones on the sides of the
larger two, and beneath them there is a longitudinal block on each
segment. The venter of each abdominal segment is marked with
five dark brown spots, the central one being largest. These larvae
also feed on the leaves of the cherry.
To show the general appearance of insects of this group of
beetles, the "Elm-leaf beetle' (Galemca xanthomelaena Schr.),
is illustrated in Fig. 157. It is happily not found in Minnesota,
at least none have been seen or received thus far; it is another
of the many undesirable insects imported from Europe. It is
greenish-yellow when fresh, with two black stripes on the wing-
covers. The yellow, bottle-shaped eggs are laid in double rows
on the under side of leaves and from them the yellow, black-
spotted larvae hatch, covered with little bristly tufts of hair.
When full grown they crawl down the trunks to the ground, and
there among the grass and rubbish on the surface they change to
bright-yellow pupae. These beetles and their larvae are exceed-
ingly injurious to the foliage of the elm trees, and in the eastern
cities the authorities are forced to employ a large gang of men
to protect and save the trees by spraying them with arsenical
poisons.
FLEA-BEETLES.
This is another group of leaf-feeding beetles, of which many
different kinds occur in our state. They are easily recognized by
their hind legs, which possess very large and swollen thighs, en-
abling the insects to leap like fleas, hence the name flea-beetles
(Pig. 158). But they differ from fleas in that they also possess
wings as well, which are readily used.
One of the best known of such flea-beetles is the "Sumach
Flea-beetle" (Blcpharida rhois Forst.), which is exceedingly
LEAF-BEETLES.
155
Fig. 158.— Flea beetles.— After Brehm.
numerous in our parks and along the edges of forests, or wher-
ever the sumach grows. Here the filthy larva?, filthy because they
cover themselves with black and slimy pellets of their own excre-
ment, frequently devour all the leaves of these showy bushes, and
instead of beinq- ornamental they become a decided evesore to the
Fig. 159. — Blepharida rhois, Forst. — After Riley.
156
LEAF- BEETLES.
lover of plants and the admirer of well kept parks. This largest
of our North American flea-beetles is shown in all stages in the
illustration (Fig. 159). It is a rather convex beetle, differing
greatly in this respect from other flea-beetles, which are usually-
very much flattened. The color of the beetle is a greenish-yellow,
bb b
Fig. 161. — Dionycha xaathotnehena, Dalm. — After Division of Entomology, U.
S. Department of Agriculture.
and the wing-covers are marked with dark brown lines and dots.
Our Minnesota fauna is rich in flea-beetles. Some quite
large ones are found upon willows ; they are usually yellow, with
broad or narrow black longitudinal lines upon their wing-covers ;
Fig. 162. — Haltica biniarginata. Say. — After Division of Entomology, U. S.
Department of Agriculture.
LEAF-BEETLES. 157
the pro-thorax is in most cases ornamented with a number of
dark spots arranged symmetrically. One kind of such beetles is
frequently found squatting on the dry sidewalks very early in
spring, as if enjoying the warm rays of the sun. If touched it
disappears as if by magic, doing so by means of its powerful hind
legs, which enable it to leap very long distances. C )ne of these
beetles is illustrated in Fig. 160; it is D. xanthomclaena Dalm.
A dark steel-blue species of the genus Haltica, (H. bimargi-
nata Say), is sometimes exceedingly numerous and destructive
to the willows growing upon the shores of our lakes, hence be-
comes to a certain degree injurious. It is shown in Fig. 162.
But not all flea-beetles are satisfied with such food, and to
the great sorrow of fruit-growers some show a most decided love
and preference for the foliage of fruit-producing plants.
THE GRAPE-VINE FLEA-BEETLE.
(Haltica chalybea III.).
This little beetle, very uncommon until the last season, has
in some places become a very destructive pest to wild and culti-
vated grapes. It commences its operations very early in the sea-
son, and indicates its presence before long by eating the substance
of the buds as soon as they begin to swell, thus destroying many
bunches of grapes in the embryo. Prof. Saunders describes its
life-history as follows :
"It goes on with this work for about a month, when it grad-
ually disappears. Before leaving, however, the beetle provides
for the continuance of its race by depositing little clusters of
orange-colored eggs on the under side of the young vine leaves,-
which, in a few days, produce colonies of small, dark-brown
larva?, which feed on the upper side of the leaves, riddling them,
and when numerous they devour the whole leaf except the larger
veins, and sometimes entirely strip the vines of foliage. Fig. 163
represents the larvae in various stages of growth at work on the
vine, accompanied also by some of the beetles.
*Tn two or three weeks the larva attains its full growth,
when it is a little more than three-tenths of an inch long, usually
158
LEAF-BEETLES.
of a light-brown color, sometimes dark, and occasionally paler
and yellowish. The head is black, and there are six or eight
shining black dots on each of the other segments of the bod}",
each dot emitting a single brownish hair. The under surface is
paler than the upper ; its feet, six in number, are black, and there
is a fleshy, orange-colored proleg on. the terminal segment.
"When mature the larvae leave the vines and descend to the
ground, where they burrow under the earth, and form small,
smooth, oval cells, within which they change to dark-yellowish
Fig. 163. — Haltica chnlybea, 111. — After Division of Entomology, U. S. Depart-
ment of Agriculture.
pupae. After remaining two or three weeks in this condition, the
beetles issue from them, and the work of destruction goes on ;
but since they live altogether on leaves at this season of the year,
of which there is an abundance, the injury done is much less than
in the spring.
"The beetle is about three-twentieths of an inch long, and
varies in color from a polished steel-blue to green, and occasion-
ally to a purplish hue, with a transverse depression across the
hinder part of the thorax. The under side is dark green, the
antennae and feet are brownish-black ; the thighs are stout and ro-
LEAF-BEETLES. 159
bust, by means of which the insect is able to jump about very
nimbly. One of the legs, detached from the body, is shown in
Fig. 163. On the approach of winter the beetles retire to some
suitable shelter, as under leaves, pieces of bark, or in the earth
immediately around the roots of vines, where they remain inac-
tive until the following spring. In addition to the grape-vine they
feed on the Virginia Creeper, (Ampclopsis quinque folia) , and
the alder, (Aliius scrrulata), and sometimes eat the leaves of the
plum tree.
"Remedies : To destroy the beetles it is recommended to
strew air-slaked lime or unleached ashes around the infested
vines in the autumn, removing and destroying all rubbish which
might afford shelter. In the spring the canes and young foliage
may be syringed with water in which a teaspoonful of Paris-green
has been stirred to each gallon. Strong soap-suds have also
been recommended, and are deserving of trial. On chilly morn-
ings the beetles are comparatively sluggish and inactive, and may
then be jarred from the vines on to sheets and collected and de-
stroyed. These insects are much more abundant in some sea-
sons than in others."
THE LESSER GRAPE-VINE FLEA-BEETLE.
(Haltica ignita 111.).
This little beetle, not much more than half the size of the
one described above, varies greatly in different portions of the
Union, even in different parts of the same state. It is polished
greenish-blue, dark blue, purplish-blue, copper-colored, or even
brassy. All those found in Minnesota are dark blue, with a light
tinge of purple. Their habits are identical with those of H.
chalybea, hence it is nofnecessary to describe them. They were
first noticed by Mr. J. W. Taylor, who resides near White Bear
Lake, early in the spring of 1899, eating into the buds of wild
grapes ; soon afterwards they attacked his cultivated varieties, and
later the foliage of the Virginia Creeper. Their work is shown in
Fig. 164, Plate VI. After destroying the buds they continued
160 LEAF-BEETLES.
their work upon the fully expanded leaves, which were riddled in
every conceivable manner to such an extent as to destroy them en-
tirely. At least two generations did damage. The hibernating
beetles commenced the work, and soon after their appearance
numerous eggs were found among the woolly substance of the
partly destroyed buds. The larva? soon hatched and continued
the work, and after passing- the pupal stage in a small earthen eel!
in the ground, a new generation of beetles appeared, which did
not disappear until the beginning of the warm weather in summer,
evidently to pass the rest of the warm season and the winter in or
near the ground.
It is somewhat difficult to ascertain the number of broods in
this case, as some of the adults lived for ;i long time, and were
surrounded by other beetles, their own progeny.
This species promises to become decidedly injurious, and
wherever it is found should be fought with arsenites as soon as
noticed.
This is especially important, and most successful in the spring
when the culprits are still confining their attention to the buds.
A very strong arsenical mixture, one pound to fifty gallons of
water, with lime to prevent injury to the plant, has afforded good
protection.
THE APPLE-TREK FLEA-BEETLE.
( Haltica foUacea Lee. ).
This is another little flea-beetle about the size of H. chalybea,
but slightly more elongated, and of a highly polished brassy-green
color. The feelers are dull brownish-black beyond the three
basal joints, which are obscured by short fine hairs ; the feet are
also dull brownish and pubescent.
This beetle is not common in Minnesota, having been found
only in the southwestern part of the state, wdiere it occurred
rather abundantly feeding upon the evening primrose, the leaves
of which were entirely riddled by it. It was found also upon
similar plants growing near the shores of White Bear Lake, and
Lake Minnetonka, as well as in lirookings, South Dakota, thus
LEAF-BEETLES. l6l
showing that it may be much more generally distributed in out-
state than is suspected. In Missouri. Kansas, Nebraska, and
Colorado it is a bad insect, especially so in nurseries, where it
riddles the leaves of the apple with small irregular perforations.
Miss Mary E. Murtfeldt, whose work in entomological in-
vestigations is so well and favorably known, has published the
following notes on the habits of this beetle in "Insect Life" :
"I placed my beetles, received from Colorado, on fresh apple
leaves and awaited developments. More than a month elapsed
before I found eggs in the jar. On the 9th of July I found
several clusters attached to the stems and bases of the midribs of
the leaves. They are generally in twos and threes, ranged side by
side. They are about 1 mm. in length, oblong rather than oval,
ami of a pale, dull orange color, somewhat translucent, and Prof.
Topenoe, who has also obtained them, says that under a high
magnifying power the shells are seen to be minutely granulated.
"By the 17th of July a number of larvae had hatched. They
are nearly cylindrical, of a dull black color, and rather more elon-
gate in proportion to their diameter than the larvae of H. chalybea.
When grown they feed on the parenchyma of the leaf, indiffer-
ently on either surface, but later they gnaw holes in it similar to
those made by the perfect beetle. The first molt took place in
eight days, and two or three of the small larvae perished in the
process, being unable to entirely withdraw themselves from the
outgrown skins. The second molt occurred one week later, and
in this also one larva perished. During these periods there are
no changes of color or maculation. August 2nd one larva had
completed its growth, and as it was making its way into the
earth, I put a stop to its further development by transferring it
to the alcohol bottle. The following characters are noted :
Length of mature larva from six to seven mm., diameter one and
one-half mm. ; form cylindrical, tapering somewhat posteriorly ;
general color varying from dull black to dark fuscous, piliferous
plates inconspicuous, of the same shape, number and arrange-
ments as those of H. chalybea, black in color, but slightly polished,
each giving rise to from one to three minute hairs, head roundly
162
LEAF-BEETLES.
cordate, deep black, but not brilliantly polished, pro-legs well de-
veloped, faintly annulated at the joints with dingy white. The
larvae move about considerably, but in a slow and rather clumsy
fashion, with the tip of the abdomen appressed to the surface of
the leaf or stem to assist in keeping them in position.
"The pupa is enclosed in a frail earthen cocoon or cell, just
beneath the surface of the ground. The pupal stage lasts only
two weeks, when the adults make their appearance. The insect is
also double brooded, the last generation passing the winter in the
erround."
Fig. 165. — Haltica toliacen, Lee. — After Marlatt.
As this beetle, Fig. 165, is apt to become a serious enemy to
our nurseries, their owners should be on the lookout to destroy it
as soon as it is noticed. It seems to be changing its habits, de-
serting its normal food to become an enemy to cultivated plants.
As far as remedies are concerned, the experiments of Prof.
Popenoe, of Miss Murtfeldt, and of Prof. Bruner are quoted:
Beetles like the three species just described, can be successfully
jarred into cloth collecting frames, and if these are saturated
with kerosene, the beetles striking them will not be able to fly
away, but will perish.
LEAF-BEETLES. 163
There are still other and still smaller flea-beetles which riddle
the leaves of apple trees with small holes, but the damage is slight,
since such insects as a general rule prefer other plants for food.
The Small Willow Flea-beetle, (Crepidodera Helxines
Linn.), a very common insect, eating the foliage of most of our
narrow-leaved willows, has been repeatedly found towards the
end of June engaged in doing similar work on that of the apple.
It is one of the most variable beetles we have, at least so far as
colors are concerned, and numerous varieties have been made on
that account. It is usually, however, of metallic green, blue,
coppery or golden. As a general rule all leaf-feeding beetles
distinguished by metallic colors vary greatly in this respect. This
beetle is still smaller than H. ignita mentioned before. C. ruiipes
Linn., illustrated in Fig. 166, gives a good idea of how such in-
sects look.
Fig 166. -Crepidoc) era ru fines, Linn.- Fig. 167. — Epitrix ciuunieris, Harr —
After Division of Entomology, U. S. After Division of Entomology, U. S.
Department ot Agriculture. Department of Agriculture.
A still smaller flea-beetle, the Cucumber Flea-beetle, (Epitrix
cucumcris Harr.), and the closely allied E. fuscula Crotch, are a 1 so
found eating holes in the leaves of apples. As the former one is
a very destructive beetle to all plants belonging to the botanical
order Sol&naceae, it is illustrated in Fig. 167. The name "Cu-
cumber Beetle" is surely a misnomer, since notwithstanding its
omnivorous habits it is practically confined to the above order of
plants. The beetles are chiefly destructive to tomatoes, potatoes,
164-
LEAF-BEETLES.
tobacco, egg-plants, and pepper, and can cause considerable mis-
chief to the young and tender plants, into which they eat numer-
ous holes.
The beetle ; s very small, black, covered with rather thick-
hairs ; the feelers and legs are reddish-brown. It is a very active
being, and one very difficult to capture, being as agile as a healthy
and vigorous flea. In the larval stage it feeds chiefly in the
roots of the tomato.
Fig. 168. — Epitrix paivula, Fab. — After Division of Entomology, U. S. Depart-
ment of Agriculture.
/•'. fuscula Cr., has once been very destructive in hot-house
iiames, in which it killed numerous small egg-plants; E. farvula
Fab., so destructive to tobacco in the southern statts, is shown
in Fig. 1 68.
As far as remedies are concerned, Paris-green and London-
purple are satisfactory remedies, and it has also been observed
that the Bordeaux mixture, used against certain diseases of
plants, when liberally used, acts as a deterrent, and thus serves
a double purpose. If poisons can not be used a decoction of to-
bacco is of great benefit, at least if we have to use it only on a
small scale.
LEAF-BEETLES.
165
THE RED-HEADED SYSTENA.
(Syslcua frontalis Fab.).
This common flea-beetle has repeatedly caused injury to the
grape-vines by eating the green tissues on the upper sides of the
leaves, which in consequence discolor and wither. Like the other
flea-beetles it possesses enormous leaping powers, and as it is
rather large and very agile, it is no easy matter to capture it. It
is about one-sixth of an inch long, with densely, but very finely
punctured thorax and wing-covers. The head is reddish-yellow
a! Hive, especially in front and between the eyes; the long feelers
are also reddish, with black basal joints ; the underside is brown-
ish-black. Equally common is S. hudsonias Fab., which is en-
tirely black, with dark rusty-brown feelers and legs.
Pig. 169.— Syslena tseniata, Say. —
After Forbes.
Fig. \~<).—Phyllotreta vittata, Fab.—
After Division of Entomology, T T . S.
Department of Agriculture.
Another species of Systena, illustrated in Fig. 169, is decid-
edly injurious to the young plants of the sugar-beets. It is called
the "pale-striped flea-beetle" (S. taeniata Say), and is here illus-
trated to show the shape of insects of this kind.
Among the large numbers of injurious flea-beetles at least one
other should be mentioned, as it is frequently received as being-
very destructive to a number of young plants, but chiefly to plants
belonging to the Crucifcrac, as cabbage, radish, mustard, and Oth-
16G
LEAF-BEETLES.
crs. The "Wavy-striped flea-beetle," (Phyllotreta vittata Fab.),
is illustrated in Fig. 170. It is a minute, shiny black insect, with
a distinct yellow stripe through the middle of each elytron. The
larvae make mines into the tissues of the plants mentioned above.
As a remedy it is important to keep down all cruciferous weeds,
in other words to give the land a clean culture, and to remove the
remnants of the crop as soon as possible and to destroy them.
The adult becomes even more injurious by eating little pits into
the thicker leaves, and minute holes into the thinner-leaved plants
they infest; in such cases the use of arsenites or of kerosene-emul-
sion is of great benefit.
According to Prof. Saunders this beetle is also sometimes
found to eat the leaves of strawberry plants.
Fig. 170V6- — Psylliodes species. — After
Brehm.
Fig. 171. — O'lontota dorsalis, Thunb.;
larva and pupa. — After Hopkins.
Numerous other flea-beetles belonging to the genus Psylliodes
occur in Minnesota ; one of which is shown in Fig. 170 V2.
A small number of very curiously shaped beetles follow the
flea-beetles in the classification of beetles usually adopted. They
are wedge-shaped beetles, or Hispidoe, in which the antennae are
thickened, and the elytra broadened at the tip, where they ter-
minate rather abruptly. In most of these brightly colored beetles
the body is much roughened by deep furrows and pits. These
and the tortoise beetles, which follow next, also differ from other
leaf-feeding beetles in having the fore part of the head promi-
nent, so that the mouth-organs are situated on the underside.
LEAF-BEETLES. 167
The larvae of Hispidac are leaf-miners ; the eggs are covered
with a little mass of excrement, and are laid singly. None of the
beetles are very injurious, with perhaps the exception of the "lo-
cust-beetle," (Odontota dorsalis Thunb.), which is orange in col-
or, with a broad black stripe along the suture of each elytron.
Sometimes this species is so abundant early in summer, on the
leaves of the locust, as to cause considerable injury, but as the
beetles feed exposed they succumb readily to an application of
the arsenites. The larva and pupa of this beetle are shown in
Fig. 171.
According to Prof. Comstock the larva of 0. rubra Web., a
beetle from one-eighth to one -fifth of an inch long, of a reddish
color, with the elevated portions of the elytra more or less spotted
with black, mines in the leaves of apple, forming a blotch-mine.
The transformations are undergone within this mine, which is also
formed in-great numbers on the leaves of linden or basswood.
THE ROSY IIISPA.
(Odontota nervosa Panz.).
This is a much smaller species, flat, rough, coarsely punc-
tuated, the wing-covers forming an oblong square, as shown in
Fig. 172. There are three smooth, raised longitudinal lines,
spotted with red, on each of them, while the spaces between them
are deeply pitted with double rows of dots. The head is small,
the feelers short, thickened towards the end, and the thorax is
rough above, and striped with deep red on each side. The under
side of the body is usually darker in color, sometimes blackish.
This species varies a good deal, not alone in size, but also in color
and markings, and formerly a number of species had been made
of it, one of which, (O. inaeqitalis Web.) is very dark, almost
uniformly brownish-black, with some lighter spots and lines. The
beetle is found from the latter part of May until the middle of
June, and deposits its eggs on the leaves of the apple tree.
According to Prof. Saunders, "they are small and rough,
and of a blackish color, fastened to the surface of the leaves some-
times singly, and sometimes in clusters of four or five.
168
LEAF-BEETLES.
"The larva- when hatched, eat their way into the interior of
the leaf, where they feed upon its green pulpy substance, leaving
the skin above and below entire, which soon turns brown and
dry, forming a blister-like spot. The larva, when full-grown,
which is generally during the month of July, is about one-fifth of
an inch long, oblong in form, rather broader before than be-
hind, flattened, soft, and of a yellowish-white color, with the head
and neck" blackish and of a horny consistence. Each of the three
anterior segments has a pair of legs; the other segments are pro-
vided with small fleshy warts at the sides, and transverse rows oi
little rasp-like points above and beneath.
"The larva changes to a pupa within the leaf, from which,
in about a week, the perfect insect escapes. Within these blis-
ter-like spots the larva, pupa, or freshly transformed beetle may
often be found."
Kig. 172. — Odontota nervosa, I'anz.
After Harris.
Fig. 17.-5. — Coptocrcla clavata, Fab.
After Kilev.
This interesting beetle is quite common in Minnesota, and
occurs also in regions where no apples grow, hence it must be
able to make mines in other plants as well. The adult beetle hi-
bernates, and is frequently found among dead leaves and rub-
bish covering the ground along the edges of forests.
THE TORTOISE-BEETLES.
These remarkable beetles contain species that are among the
most beautiful of all insects, being green, golden, or iridescent.
Some in the tropics are so brilliant that at one time it was stylish
to use them for jewelry. Although not injurious to fruit-produc-
LEAF-BEETLES.
169
ing- plants they are so curious, and so often mailed as "gold-bugs"
to the entomologist, that a few words about them may not be
amiss.
In these beetles the ovate and almost quadrate body is flat-
tened below and convex above; the head is nearly or quite con-
cealed beneath the prothorax and the margins of the latter and of
the elytra are broadly expanded, in some cases forming an almost
circular outline, and in this way resembling the shell of a tortoise.
This resemblance is heightened in at least one case, (Coptocycla
clavata Fab.), by four dark projections of the central dark color
of the wing-covers, which marks look like the broad legs of a
turtle (Fig. 173). In another case (C. guttata Oliv.), only the
front legs of a turtle are painted upon the frontal sides of the
elvtra.
cZ
Fig. 174-. — Coptocycla bicolor. Fab. — After Riley.
As already mentioned these beetles, when happy, are of bril-
liant colors, sometimes ornamented with black spots or longitudin-
al lines. One of our most common species, the Cossida bicolor
Fab., (Fig. 174), so destructive to morning-glories and sweet-
potatoes, is, during its wedding season, like a drop of burnished
gold, which towards night is apt to fade to a peculiar pearly lus-
ter. Unfortunately such colors are not "fast," but disappear
after the death of the insect. It is even claimed that the bright
colors of these insects are dependent upon the emotions of the
beetles.
170
PEA-WEEVIL BEETLES.
Although the beetles are very beautiful, the larvae are as
nasty; they are Mat, with long spines along the margins, and in
addition they possess a forked appendage at the posterior end,
which serves a very filthy purpose. It is bent forward over the
back, and to it are attached the cast-off skins of the larva and also
its excrement. The fork carrying such material is borne like an
umbrella. In New Jersey, Maryland, and Virginia, where these
insects abound in the sweet-potato fields, the larvae have received
the name "peddlers," since they carry a "pack." When ready
to change to a pupa the larva fastens the posterior end of its
body to the underside of a leaf, and now the skin splits open, and
is forced back, exposing a pupa, which soon gives forth a beetle.
Wherever such beetles are numerous the young plants of the
sweet-potato should be dipped into arsenate of lead before they
are set out. The solution should be fifteen ounces to fifty gallons
of water.
,'fsiiiM
. 8 T x
— "£23- - ~ --■
Fig. 175. — Cassida bivittata. Say.
Alter Riley.
Fig. 176.— Chelymorpha argus, Licht.
After Packard.
In Minnesota we have a number of such tortoise beetles,
seme very large, and also some that are found on other plants
than those belonging to the family of Convolvulaceae, as the net-
tle and sunflower. Cassida bivittata Say (Fig. 175) frequently
destroys the foliage of the beautiful morning-glory, and the much
larger Chelymorpha argus Licht. (Fig. 176) is frequently found
on the raspberry.
FAMILY BRUCH1DAE.
{Pea-weevil family).
These well known beetles, so destructive to many kinds of
stored seeds of leguminous plants, as peas and beans, are not
PEA-WEEVIL BEETLES.
171
injurious to any fruit-producing plants. They agree with the
leaf-beetles in general structure, but their small head is prolonged
into a broad beak and the wing-covers are rather short, not cov-
ering the tip of the abdomen. As an example of these beetles the
Bean-weevil {Bruchus rufimanus Sch.), and the Pea-weevil (B.
pisi Linn) , are illustrated in Fig. 177. This pest can be controlled,
even when still enclosed in the seed, by means of bisulphide of
Fig. 177. — Bruchus rufimanus, Sch., and B. pisi, I. inn. After Brehm.
carbon, the seeds being kept in a tight receptacle for this purpose.
Ir should be the rule of every farmer to plant only sound seeds,
and not to throw away any "buggy" peas, but to destroy the in-
sects in them by boiling, when both peas and weevils can be fed
to animals.
2. HETEROMERA. (Different Joints).
As already mentioned we find the chief peculiarity of the
beetles in this group in the feet, the front and middle pairs of
which are five-jointed, and the hind pair four-jointed ; the joints
of the tarsi are not cushioned beneath, as are those of the leaf-
beetles. Many peculiar insects belong to this division, not alone
peculiar on account of their shape, but also on account of their
peculiar development, which has one or two seemingly retrograde
stages in some species having parasitic habits.
172
DARKLING BEETLES.
FAMILY TENEBRIONIDAE.
( Park) in g Beetles ) .
Nearly all the members of this family are of a uniform Mack
or brown color, although some arc gray, and a few are marked
with bright colors. There is no uniformity in appearance, but
in most cases the feelers are more or less bead-like or monili-
form. They vary very considerably in size and form of the body,
which is firm, and not soft as in the case of the blister-beetles men-
tioned later. Darkling-beetles are most numerous in dry and
warm regions, but we also possess a fair representation in Min-
nesota, and some of them are altogether too numerous and in-
jurious. Nearly all feed upon dry vegetable matter, some few
on partly decomposed matter, and still others under stones, un-
der bark of trees, and on fungi. But few are injurious to our
fruit-producing plants.
As examples of such beetles a few of the more common and
destructive ones will be given and illustrated.
The Meal-eeetlEj (Tcnebrio molitor Linn.), Fig. 178, is a
very common insect in our mills, stables, grocery-stores, pan-
Q^O^cC^^
e
Fig. 17S. — Tenebrio molitor, Linn. — Alter Division of Entomology, U. S. De-
partment of Agriculture.
DARKLING-BEETLES.
173
tries, in fact in all dark places where flour and meal is kept for
a long- time. These insects cause no serious injury, but are far
from pleasant to have around. Their larva?, best known by the
name of "meal-worms," are sometimes bred purposely by bird-
fanciers as winter food for insectivorous singing-birds ; they are
raised in immense numbers in warm boxes partly filled with bran,
and in such places they undergo all their metamorphoses.
The beetles themselves are brownish, flattened, with a square
thorax and deeply ridged wing-covers. The larva is a cylindrical,
hard-shelled worm, usually of a polished waxy yellowish-brown
Fig. 179. — Echocerus maxillosus. Fab. — After Division of Entomology. U. S. De-
partment of Agriculture.
color, and terminates in a two-pointed posterior segment; it re-
sembles the larva of the wire-worm in many ways, but is very
much stouter.
A dark, almost black and more opaque beetle is the T.obscurus
Fab., which is found in similar locations. Both are pests of
granaries and mills, and are found in almost every region of the
globe, being carried there by commerce.
A much smaller species, the Echocerus maxillosus Fab., is
shown in Fig. 179. It is of a brown color, and further south is
equally as much at home in old and neglected flour.
174
DARKLING-BEETLES.
Cleanliness is one of the best remedies against such nocturnal
insects. In extreme cases the fumes of bisulphide of carbon
should be employed to kill them. Many of these and similar
beetles have become very numerous in our houses since the in-
troduction of prepared breakfast foods ; tbe spaces behind the
patent flour bins in pantries are also excellent breeding places
for such insects, as there they are not as often disturbed as they
ought to be.
J~i
mm
Fig. 180. — Blaps mortisaga, Linn., and larva. After Brehm.
Fig. 180 shows a common beetle belonging to this family;
it is Blaps mortisaga, and is found in Europe, like the meal-bug,
in barns, stables and cellars. Our western plains, especially in
the warmer regions, abound in similar beetles ; they are found
in large numbers beneath dry dung, and some of them are very
peculiar beings, having their wing-covers soldered together, since
they possess only rudimentary true wings or none at all. Fig. 181,
(Plate I) shows a very peculiar insect, black and white in color;
it is Zopherus Haldemani Salle.
One of the most peculiar beetles belonging to this family is
frequently received by the entomologist as a great rarity, simply
TAILED BEETLES.
175
because the males have a pair of enormously large horns on
the pro-thorax. This beetle, (Boletotherus bifurcus Fab.), pos-
sesses a very rough surface on the body and wing-covers, and is
of a dirty brownish color. It feeds upon the large toadstools,
( Polxporus) , so common 011 the sides of dead and dying trees.
Fig. 182, Plate If, shows both sexes of this remarkable insect.
A large number of small families of beetles follow, but none
of the insects contained in them are of any great economic im-
portance.
FAMILY MORDELLIDAE.
The beetles in this family are all small, some very small.
Some are black, others are variegated, but all are covered with a
silky pubescence. Such beetles are found in immense numbers
during the early summer, in many kinds of flowers, in which they
feed upon the pollen. In doing so they are of some importance
in cros*s-fertilization.
Fig. 183.— Mordella 8-punctata, Fab.— After Riley.
As may be seen in the illustration, (Fig. 183), which shows
Mordella 8-punctata Fab., they have a very arched body, the
head is bent down, and the abdomen is usually prolonged into a
slender point. They are very active, flying readily, but they
usually try to escape by the most intricate contortions, which
make it almost impossible to secure them, and they usually drop
to the ground and are lost. Their larva; live in rotten wood and
in the pith of plants.
176
BLISTER-BEETLES
FAMILY MELOIDAE.
( Blister-beetles ) .
Perhaps the most interesting and economically the most im-
portant among" the Heteromera are the "Blister-hectics," which
have received this very appropriate name because they can raise
blisters on the human skin, caused by a substance "cantharidin"
found to a greater or less extent in nearly all members of this
family. To utilize them for this purpose they are dried and
pulverized, and the powder thus obtained is made into a paste,
which applied to the skin by physicians causes local inflamma-
tion and a blister. Nearly all our common species can be utilized
lor this purpose, bnt the kinds generally used come from Spain
and other European countries, hence are called "Spanish-fly,"
(Fig. 184).
Fig. 1S4-. — Spanish flies. After Bretatn.
All the beetles belonging here are soft-bodied and of me-
dium or large size; their head is broad, vertical, abruptly nar-
rowed into a neck ; the pro-thorax is narrow and cylindrical, and
is narrower than the wing-covers, which extend well down the
sides ; the legs are long and slender, and the feelers are in some
cases knotted in the males. Many of the species are brightly
colored and banded, some are metallic bronze or copper, others
are uniformly gray, black or brown, with black longitudinal
stripes. All are leaf-feeders and are found in flowers.
BLISTER-BEETLES. 177
One of our most common species is black, and occurs in large
numbers on the flowers of the golden rod. A number of species
of this family are very destructive to the leaves of the potato,
bean, aster, rose and other plants, and one at least is decidedly in-
jurious to the flowers of the cultivated shad-berry. This large
beetle, (Pomphopoea aenea Say), called the Pear-tree Blister-
beetle, is also fond of the leaves of apples, (Fig. 185).
The metamorphoses of blister-beetles are remarkable, as they
do not alone undergo wonderful changes in form, but the num-
ber of such changes is greater than usual with beetles. The
adult deposits a large number of yellowish eggs in the ground,
which hatch into very active long-legged larva?, that run about
in search of food consisting of the eggs of locusts and of some
solitary bees. Eating the eggs of locusts is a very good habit,
hence the blister-beetles are decidedly beneficial in their larval
stage, and it is a well known fact that in a year following locust
troubles blister-beetles become very numerous. In other cases
the eggs are either laid on a plant or on the ground, and similar
long-legged larva? are hatched, which run about the flowers until
a proper kind of bee comes along, to the hairy clothing of which
thev fasten themselves, and in this way are carried to the nest of
the bee, not simply stealing the ride, however, but adding injury
to insult, for after quitting the unsuspecting host it devours the
egg or young larva and later completes its own transformation,
meanwhile feeding upon the accumulated stores, the rightful own-
er of which it has killed.
These young larva; of blister-beetles are active little creatures,
with long legs, prominent jaws, large heads, and are known as
"triungulins."
The most common of our blister-beetles are the uniformly
gray Maerobasis unicoVor Kirby, (Fig. 151, Plate II), and the
black Epicauta pennsylvanica DeG. As a description of both is
given in the first annual report it is not necessary to repeat it here.
If these insects, as well as similar ones, should become very
destructive, they can be killed by a thorough application of one
of the arsenites, adding some milk of lime to make the poison
178 SNOUT-BEETLES— B ARK-BEETLES.
stick, and this should be carried into effect as soon as they arc
noticed. In some cases they can also he driven to a layer of
straw, which is then burned. But as the larvae feed upon such
dangerous material as the eggs of locusts, it is in many cases bet-
ter not to kill the adults.
C )f the larger and brighter species one of the most common
is a rather beautiful beetle, the Cantharis Nuttalli Say ; it meas-
ures over an inch in length, has dark, purplish or bluish-green
Fig. 185. -Pomphopceaaenen, Fig. 186. -Meloeangus- Fig. 187. --Head of Snout-
Say. After Saunders. ticollis. Say. After beetle; g. s., gular suture.
Harris.
wing-covers, and a metallic green thorax, head and abdomen.
It is sometimes very common in our prairies, where it destroys
wild roses and other flowers. It resembles the genuine Spanish
fly very closely, and should be gathered and sold to the manufac-
turing chemists.
The Oil-beetlks (Meloe species), are also included, but they
are not numerous enough to cause any damage. Our common
species, the Meloe angusiicollls Say, is shown in Fig. 186.
II. SUB-ORDER RHYNCHOPHORA.
SNOUT-BfiETLES / BARK-BEETLES.
This sub-order includes beetles commonly called Snout-
beetles and Bark-beetles, ten families of which are represented in
North America. The great peculiarity of these insects is found
in the head, which is more or less prolonged into a beak or snout,
sometimes longer than the remainder of the body, but usually
SNOUT-BEETLEvS. 179
shorter. It is either broad or thin, short or long, straight or
curved. The small sharp jaws are situated at the end of the
beak or rostrum; the labrum and palpi are small or wanting; the
slender feelers arise from the sides of the beak, and are elbowed
in the middle, ending in a knob or club; the rostrum is often
grooved at the sides for the reception of the feelers, and the eyes
are small and round. But the most distinctive character is the ab-
sence of the gula, there being but a single gular suture, (Fig. 187),
and the epimera of the pro-thorax meet on the middle line be-
hind the presternum. The body is compact, and frequently
wedge-shaped, and not uncommonly has a ridged and pitted sur-
face, or is raised into tubercles. The tarsi are four-jointed, each
joint strongly bilobed and cushioned beneath. None of our
species are of more than medium size, and most of them are very
small.
Nearly all our northern species of snout-beetles, when dis-
turbed, feign death, and do so most skillfully and persistently;
the feelers disappear into the grooves in the beak, and the latter
is bent under in many cases, close to the body, as are also the
legs, and the beetle drops to the ground, closely resembling a bit
of twig, a bud, or a seed, and thus escapes detection. In the trop-
ics, however, many of such beetles are very active, and take to
their wings almost as readily and easily as the tiger-beetles.
Many of the larvae of such insects live in fruit, seeds, nuts ;
others devour the substance inside the stems of plants, and still
others subsist on wood. Larvae of snout-beetles are usually more
or less curved, pale, and much wrinkled, as may be seen in the
following illustrations, which show their structure as well as that
of the adults and pupae.
FAMILY RHYNCHITIDAE.
This family includes small beetles in which the elytral fold
is very feeble, the labrum wanting, and in which the mandibles
are toothed both on the outer and inner side. The mandibles can
be widely spread apart ; when closed the outer tooth at the end
180 LEAF-ROLLING SNOUT-BEETLES.
of each projects forward, so that two small and acute teeth seem
to project.
We have a number of such small beetles in our state, one of
which, of a dark blue-black color, covered with fine and dark hairs,
is rather common in various flowers early in the season. An-
other species, (Rhynchites bicolor Fab.), is polished red above,
excepting the snout, legs, and under side, which are black, and is
sometimes very common and destructive to our roses. It destroys
both flower buds and flowers, and deposits eggs into the fruit, in
which the young mature. Both wild and cultivated flowers are
thus invaded, but especially the former. The beetle measures
about one-fourth of an inch in length, not including the long
snout which is about as long as the abdomen.
FAMILY ATTELABIDAE.
(Leaf-rolling Snout-beetles)^
Such beetles have neither an elytral fold nor a labrum ; the
mandibles are flat, pincer-shaped, and toothed on the inner side.
They are mainly interesting from the fact that the females make a
compact thimble-shaped roll from leaves, in which a single egg is
deposited, and inside of which the larva feeds until full grown,
when it leaves and enters the ground for pupation. It is very
interesting to see the female at work making such a cradle for its
young, and as at least two species are fairly abundant in our state
the lover of nature will have but little trouble to observe the whole
operation. One species, polished black, with a large dark-red
humeral spot, occurs upon our oaks; it is Attelabus bipustulatus
Fab. The other species, J. rhois Boh., occurs upon the hazel and
alder; it is brown and densely covered with yellowish-white hairs.
The illustration, ( Fig. 189), shows a thimble-shaped cradle
on oak, and Fig. 188, the adult of A. analis 111.
Prof. Packard describes the operation of making such a
cradle as follows : "When about to lay her eggs the female begins
to eat a slit near the base of the leaf on each side of the midrib,
and at right angles to it, so that the leaf may be folded together.
LEAF-ROLLING SNOUT-BEETLES.
181
Before beginning' to roll np the leaf she gnaws the stem nearly
off, so that after the roll is made, and has dried for perhaps a
dav, it is easily detached by the wind and falls to the ground.
When folding the leaf she rolls it up tightly, neatly tucking in
the ends until a compact, cylindrical, solid mass of vegetation is
formed. Before the leaf is entirely rolled she deposits a single
egg, rarely two, in the middle next to the midrib, where it lies
loosely in a little cavity. While all this is going on her consort
stands near by, and she occasionally runs to him to receive his
caresses, then again resumes her work. These rolls sometimes
remain on the bushes for several days, but probably drop by
Fig. 1S8.— Attelabus analis. III.
Pig. 189. — Thimble-shaped cradles
ou oak.
the time the larva escapes from the egg, and it seems probable
that the grub uses the roll for a shelter until it matures and is
ready to enter into its transformations into a beetle." In Minne-
sota the writer has frequently seen the female at work, but in-
variably she worked alone, no male being near. In many cases
the larva also changes to a pupa inside the cradle, and the latter to
a beetle, without entering the ground at all. Evidently love does
not alwavs run as smooth here as in the east !
182 SCARRED SNOUT-BEETLES.
FAMILY OTIORHYNCHIDAE.
(Scarred Snout-beetles).
This family contains a large number of snont-beetles.
Their most distinguished characteristic is the presence in the
pupal state, and sometimes also in recently matured adults, of an
appendage on each mandible, and in the adult state a scar indi-
cates the place from which the appendage has fallen. This scar
is on the anterior face of the mandible, and frequently at the tip
of a slight process. (Comstock).
Most of our species are more or less ornamented with scales
resembling those found upon the wings of butterflies. This is
very prominent in tropical species, where such scales are fre-
quently of metallic colors, and are exceedingly beautiful, and on
that account are utilized by microscopists for forming baskets
filled with flowers of different shapes and colors; such baskets
are so minute as to become plainly visible only under a strong
lens.
Among the beetles forming this family we possess several
species which are more or less injurious to fruit-producing plants.
THE IMBRICATED SNOUT-BEETLE.
( Epicaerus imbricatus Say).
This rather omnivorous beetle, gnawing holes in various
garden vegetables, is also found on the apple and cherry, injuring
them by eating holes in the twigs and fruit. It is by no means
common in our state, but destructive in others, hence requires the
attention of our fruit-growers. It is a very variable beetle, but
usually of a dull silvery-white color, with darker markings ; some-
times two light-colored bands extend across the elytra, which
are striated with longitudinal rows of deep round pits. This
beetle can readily be recognized by the peculiar shape of the pos-
terior end of the elytra, which is very steep, cut off almost square-
ly, and ends in a sharp and pointed elongation. If it should ever
become more numerous than it now is, it can be kept in check
SCARRED SNOUT-BEETLES.
1S3
by jarring the trees, as is done in the case of the plum-curculio
described later. The illustration (Fig. 191), shows both shape
and size of this beetle and that of the egg and larva.
Mr. Chittenden describes the life-history in one of the ad-
mirable bulletins of the Division of Entomology, issued by the
Department of Agriculture. He writes that these beetles are
sometimes very destructive to strawberry plants-, eating the leaves,
Fig. 191. — Epicserus imbricatus, Say. — Division of Entomology, U. S. Depart-
ment of Agriculture.
and later the entire stem. "The eggs are elongate, more than
three times as long as wide, somewhat variable in outline owing
to close deposition, sub-cylindrical, sometimes slightly curved on
one side, broadly rounded at each end, surface smooth, shining
without any apparent sculpture; color light dull yellow." The
young larva, when first hatched, is uniform whitish-yellow.
THE GRAY ANAMETIS.
(Anatnetis grisea Horn).
This is another beetle, (Fig. 192, Plate II), last season dis-
covered for the first time in our orchards to be injurious to the
apple, in the leaves of which it eats large holes ; it likewise eats
the tender bark of the same tree. It has the peculiar habit of
hiding in the folds of a leaf during the day, on the underside, and
is here difficult to detect, as its silvery white color blends well
with the white down of the leaves. It is easily beaten into an in-
184 SCARRED SNOUT-BEETLES.
verted umbrella, and if numerous could be captured very readily.
It is a robust insect, about the size of the imbricated snout-beetle^
of a brownish-gray color. It is not often seen, but by beating
apple trees, as suggested above, it will be found to be much more
common than was suspected.
Cercopeus chrysorhoeus Say, a similar beetle, is from time
to time found on the foliage of the grape, and a number of others
occur, but very rarely, upon the flowers and foliage of sonic of
our fruit-producing plants, but none cause any extensive dam-
age.
THE PITCH Y-LEGGED OTIORHYNGHUS.
(Odorhyrichus ovatus Linn.).
This beetle, a typical one of the family, is getting very nu-
merous, and may, in time, cause injuries to the roots and crowns
of straw-berries. It has also been reported as feeding upon the
leaves of the apple. Here at the Experiment Station it was not
found until four years ago, but now is very abundant, especially
very early in spring, just after the snow has disappeared, and
again late in autumn. At such times it is found resting on the
sides of houses, not far from the ground. In autumn it is ready
to enter the ground to hibernate, and in spring it leaves such
quarters to enjoy the warmth of the sun. But what attracts such
large numbers of beetles to houses is difficult to understand, es-
pecially as these buildings are surrounded by well kept lawns.
Usually they can be found hibernating among logs and pieces of
bark lying upon the ground.
Xo damages have been observed, but a number of the crowns
and roots of strawberries received from other parts of the state
tell a sad story, as they were excavated and killed by the larva? of
this beetle. They are much more destructive than the straw-
berry root-borer, which will be described later.
The beetle, illustrated in Fig. 193, is very dark-brown, almost
black ; the thorax is very deeply pitted, the pits being sometimes
arranged in more or less regular rows ; the wing-covers are
striated, and at regular intervals in the stria? are deep punctures.
SCARRED SNOUT-BEETLES.
185
The insect is very convex ; the thorax has a projecting angle at
each side, and the hody is almost egg-shaped.
Judging from the work seen such snout-beetles can become
very destructive, and it will be difficult to combat them. Many
vears ago a snout-beetle infesting the roots of grasses was very
numerous in Druid Hill Park, Baltimore, Md., yet its presence
was not suspected at all, as no injury to the lawns was noticed,
except that the plants seemed to need food, which was provided
them in the form of a very bad-smelling manure obtained from
cleaning hog-bristles imported from Hungary for the manufac-
ture of brushes, etc. A liberal application of this substance was
Fig. 193.— Otiurhynchus
ovatus, Linn.
Fig. 194. — Aramiges Fulleri, Horn. After Division
of Entomology, U. S. Department of Agriculture.
spread over the lawns, and was followed by a heavy rain. Next
day immense numbers of beetles (Sphenophorus parvulus Gyll. )
could be seen upon all the sidewalks and seats on and about the
lawn ; they were evidently driven out of the ground by this of-
fensive manure. Perhaps this experience might show us a meth-
od by which we could combat this and similar insects.
Two other species of the genus Otiorhyiiclnts (O. sulcatus
Fab., and O. picipcs Fab.), as well as Thricolepis simulator Horn,
are known to injure the apple elsewhere.
186 GENUINE SNOUT-BEETLES.
fuller's uose-beetle.
(Aramiges Fulleri Horn).
Some years ago this insect, (Fig. 194), became very injurious
in the east in some green-houses devoted to roses. It is an oval,
dark, smoky-brown snout-beetle, lightly covered with scales, with
a short and obtuse snout ; it is about one-fourth of an inch in
length. The eggs are laid in masses under any sort of shelter on
rose-bushes, and the white and grub-like larvae hatching from
them feed on the tender roots of roses, while the adults destroy
leaves, flowers and buds. The attacks of the larvae weaken the
plants, or kill them outright.
Since the long-lived beetles hide during the day on the under-
side of the leaves they can be collected and destroyed ; the free use
of a tobacco extract on the ground will act both as a fertilizer and
as a destroyer of the subterranean grubs. The same beetle is
sometimes a pest in the orange groves of California, and is re-
placed by another similar one in those of Florida.
A number of other similar beetles might be mentioned as
being sometimes injurious to our fruit-producing plants, but as
they are very uncommon in Minnesota, it is not necessary, as all
can be destroyed by the remedies already given.
FAMILY CURCULIONIDAE.
( Genuine Snout-beetles).
The family Curculionidae is the most important of the fam-
ilies of snout-beetles, including more than one-half of all the in-
sects of this character found in the United States, and a large
number of them are most destructive insects. In this family
there is a strong fold on the lower side of each wing-cover near the
outer margin, which limits a deep groove into which the upper
edge of the abdomen fits ; the mandibles have no scar ; the antenna?
are usually elbowed, and have a ringed or solid club ; the tarsi are
usually dilated, with the third segment bi-lobed and spongy be-
neath ; in a few cases the tarsi are narrow, but not spinose be-
neath. (Comstock).
GENUINE SNOUT-BEETLES.
187
The soft and white larvae possess no feet, and feed chiefly
on fruits, seeds and nuts, but all parts of plants are subject to
their attacks.
The female bores a hole with her snout, and deposits an egg-
in the hole thus formed, pushing the egg to the bottom of it with
her beak. For this purpose the snout of a female beetle is very
long, sometimes longer than the remainder of the body, as may
be seen in the acorn weevil illustrated later.
Although not injurious to fruit-producing plants there are a
number of small snout-beetles which are so frequently sent to the
entomologist as being injurious to the roots of grasses, that a few
words about them may not be out of place. The species of
Sitones, of which a number occur in our state, are all small, black-
ish-gray, covered with very minute scales, and in some cases
marked with a number of darker spots, interrupted by white, ar-
ranged in regular longitudinal rows. Some species are illus-
trated in Fig. 195.
Fig. 195. — Sitoaes species. "''JAfter Brehin.
THE NEW YORK WEEVIL.
(Ithycerus novebpracenis Forster).
This is about the largest snout-beetle we have in our state ;
it is not only the largest, however, but also sometimes exceedingly
destructive, especially so in early spring, when plum trees grow-
ing near oak forests are badly injured. In such cases the beetles
congregate upon plum and other fruit trees in May or early June,
eating the buds and gnawing into the twigs, chiefly at their base,
188
GENUINE SNOUT- BEETLES.
tints causing them to break and fall. The younger bark of twigs
is used as food and numerous boles are eaten into it; the tender
shoots are entirely devoured, and later they eat the leaves just at
their base. The beetle is shown in Fig. [96; it is from four to
six-tenths of an inch in length, of an ash-gray color, marked with
black ; four whitish lines, interrupted by black dots, are on each of
its wing-covers, and three smaller ones occur on the thorax. The
scutellum, located at the juncture of the elytra with the thorax,
is yellowish. Such beetles frequently occur in swarms in nurser-
ies, where they cause serious injury to the apple, plum, cherry,
pear, peach and other trees. Fig 196, Plate VI, shows their work.
It is quite abundant in the wooded regions of Minnesota, but
is not seen as often as their numbers would warrant, simply be-
cause it is a nocturnal insect, hiding in the cracks of bark of oak
trees during the day, and in such places it is almost impossible to
detect it, as it resembles the bark very closely in color and in mark-
ings.
The larva, also shown in the illustration, is found in the
twigs and tender branches of the burr-oak, and also in the hickory.
According to Saunders, when the female is about to deposit an
egg, she makes a longitudinal excavation with her jaws, as shown
Fig. 196. — Itbycerus noroboraceusis,
Forst. — After Riley.
Fig. 197. — Apion species.
After Brehm.
GENUINE SNOUT- BEETLES.
189
at (/ in the illustration, eating upwards under the hark ; afterwards
she turns round and places an egg in the opening. The larva, b,
is a soft, foot-les.s grub, of a pale-yellow color, with a tawny head.
There is hut one safe way to destroy this hectic; it has to he
caught by jarring, the same way as our plum-cufcnlio, since il
also has the habit of dropping' to the ground when alarmed, as
most other snout-hectles do. Paris-green and London-purple, ap-
plied in such a way as to make them stick to the tender twigs
and hranches, will also kill large numbers of this mischief maker.
There is a group of small beetles, (Apion), the larva 1 of
which usually feed in the seeds of plants, as in those of the false
indigo, (Baptisia tinctoria), the seeds of the locust, and others.
To show how these beetles look one has been illustrated, and well
shows their peculiar form (Fig. 197). They are equipped with
a long and slender projecting beak, have straight feelers, and
Fig. 198. — Phytonomus punctatus, Fab. — After Divis/on of Entomology, U. S.
Department of Agriculture.
190
GENUINE SNOUT- BEETLES.
are very small, the largest not measuring' much more than one-
tenth of an inch, including' the beak. Their colors are b'ack,
grayish, dark blue, or even greenish ; only a few in the United
Slates are of a brighter color, such as reddish or yellowish.
This is a good place to mention another had snout-beetle,
not yet found in Minnesota, but which is working its way in the
direction of our stale. It is the Clover Leaf-beetle (P/iytonoiiuts
punctatus Fab.). It is a large beetle, dull brown in color, with
indefinitely striped elytra, and a short, stout beak. Prof. Smith
says about it :
"The larva is green, its form is well shown in the figure,
( Fig. 198), and it feeds chiefly at night, eating irregular holes into
the leaves. When full-grown it forms a peculiar net-like cocoon,
at or a little beneath the surface of the ground, and pupates, be-
coming adult a few days thereafter. The insects hibernate in
the larval stage, and their injury becomes manifest quite early in
the season, often threatening entire destruction of the crop when
they are full-grown. Fortunately nature has provided a check
for this insect in a fungous disease, which in most localities car-
ries off the larvae annually, just before they mature, leaving only
a eomparativelv small proportion to perpetuate the species. As
this disease seems to occur in seasons of all kinds, and irrespective
of climatic conditions, it can be easily introduced into any locality
in which the insects become destructive. Affected larvae (Fig.
199), curl themselves round a spear of grass, or on the cd^e of
a leaf, and die, first swelling somewhat and becoming gray in
Fig. 199. — Phytonomus killed by dis-
ease. After Division of Entomology,
U. S. Department of Agriculture.
Fig. 200. — Pissocies strobi. Peck. —
After Division ol Entomology, U. S.
Department of Agriculture"
GENUINE SNOUT-BEETLES. 191
culor ; then they collapse and become black, eventually forming a
small, dried, black mass, utterly indistinguishable in character."
We have a number of very noxious snout-beetles which kill
our pine trees. Only one will be mentioned and illustrated, (Fig.
200), to show its shape. It is the White Pine Weevil, {Pissodes
strobi Peck). It is one of the most serious enemies to that tree,
attacking the leading shoots in young trees, and spoiling their
shape entirely. In our extensive pine forests no remedy can even
be suggested, but in parks and gardens the small ornamental
trees of this kind can be protected to some extent by spraying the
Fig. 201. — European species of Fig. 202. — Hylobius confusua, Kby.-
Pissodes. After Bretam. After Brehin.
leading shoots with carbolated soap-wash, to which Paris-green is
added at the rate of one pound to one hundred and fifty gallons
of water (Smith). Of course the infested shoots should be gath-
ered and burned. Fig. 201 shows a closely related European
species.
Equally bad are Pissodes affinis Rand., and Hylobius con-
fusus Kby. (Fig. 202).
Another group of snout-beetles is composed of very elon-
gate and slender insects, some of which are injurious to
garden plants, and on that account one of them is shown in the
illustration (Fig. 203). It is the Rhubarb-beetle, (Lixus conca-
vus Say). This beetle is found early in the season on the leaves
and stems of the rhubarb, but is also found on those of wild plants,
as on the larger species of Rumex. This long, cylindrical beetle,
with a thick snout about as long as the head and thorax, is en-
tirely covered with a rusty powder, which rubs off very easily,
192
GENUINE SNOUT-BEETLES.
and exposes the dark slate-colored body, which is remarkable for
its exceedingly firm texture. In fact this insect is so hard that a
common insect pin will not perforate it. The beetle bores little
holes into the leaf and flower stems of the plant, depositing" one
egg in each, from which a white, grub-like larva hatches, which
devours the plant tissue. The insect is not common in Minne-
sota. According to Smith, Webster and others, whenever the
leaves are regularly cut for the market but little trouble is ex-
perienced ; old leaves should be removed and destroyed, so that
Fig. 203. — Lixus concavus, Say. After
Webster.
Fig. 204. — Li'-YL'Stroni Europe. After
Brehni.
none of them remain after midsummer. Several species of Lixus
occur in our state; a European species found in aquatic plants is
shown in Fig. 204.
Among the large number of snout-beetles that follow the
above genus in the classification but few are really injurious, al-
though they occur in the flowers of such plants as the strawber-
ries, blackberries, raspberries, and others. Perhaps two species of
Magdolis are an exception, as the one ( .1/. aenescens Lee.) is fre-
quently found upon the apple-tree, and the other (.1/. olyrd Hbst.)
GENUINE SNOUT-BEETLES.
193
has the bad habit of tunneling, in the larval state, into the bark
of hickory in every direction, leaving only just enough tissue to
prevent the bark from warping away from the tree. Mr. Bow-
ditch states that, "as far as my observations extend, the species
appears to prefer small trees, from four to six inches in diameter.
If the tree is small and very badly infested it dies very quickly,
and shortly after the beetles have escaped, the bark is apt to flake
Fig. 205. — Masdalis olyra, Herbst.
larva; b, pupa. After Packard.
Fig. 206. — Magdalis armicollis,
Say. After Forbes.
off and curl up in quite large pieces." As a general rule, however,
this beetle prefers the red oaks. Fig. 205 shows M. olyra Herbst,
found abundantly boring under the bark of oak, and Fig. 206
M. armicollis Say.
THE PLUM GOUGER.
(Coccotorus scutellaris Lee).
This destructive beetle has been described in the "Second
Annual Report of the Entomologist," but to make this report on
beetles injurious to fruit-producing plants more complete, it is re-
peated.
There is no kind of fruit that promises so well in Minnesota
as the plum, and wonderful progress has already been made in
the past to improve our wild species, and to create, by selection,
crosses, or by other means, new and better varieties, and it seems,
when we look at the samples of plums shown last year at the dif-
ferent fairs, that before very long fruit superior to all other grow-
ing now will be the result of such painstaking work. It seems to
the writer that the only true road to success has been chosen, viz. :
194 GENUINE SNOUT-BEETLES.
to improve the native kinds, which are known to be hardy, and
not to attempt to bring- to our state others found in countries
differing in climate from ours. We have, in improving our na-
tive plums, to follow the same steps that were taken in the past
in Europe to change their native crab-apples into the beautiful,
delicate varieties of apples now grown everywhere. But to grow
plum trees and to harvest plums are two quite distinct things. A
little observation will almost convince the horticulturist that he is
growing the plums not for his own use, but for that of his ene-
mies. He sees that after a plum orchard is once established these
have taken possession of the same and seem to consider it their
own. There are few plants in Minnesota that have more enemies
than the plum-tree : black knot, plum pocket, powdery mildew,
brown rot, plum leaf-blight, plum-rust, leaf-spot or gun-shot and
others are a few of the more important vegetable foes of this tree,
while plant-lice, such as the plum tree aphis, the plum gall-mite,
many caterpillars, the plum-gouger, and the plum-curculio, are
the more destructive insect enemies.
The plum-gouger, (Fig. 207, Plate V), is the most destruc-
tive of the above named insects in Minnesota. It is a reddish-
brown snout-beetle, with a peculiar pruinose, almost velvety sur-
face, and is of a very different shape from the better known but
less common plum-curculio. In the spring of 1896 the plum
trees on and near the Experiment Farm were in full bloom and
promised rich returns. But before long one flower after another
dropped off, and but comparatively few were left upon the trees.
and in some cases none remained. When the cause of this trou-
ble was investigated it was found that this snout-beetle was busily
engaged in gouging holes in the flower (see Fig. 207, Plate V),
which, in consequence, shrivelled and dropped. A rather suicidal
way of doing things, for by acting in this manner the beetles
actually destroyed their future food and home ! As the fruit
grows, the female beetle, in depositing an egg, does not form the
crescent-shaped mark of the "Little Turk," but makes for this
purpose a small and deep puncture. Prof. Bruner describes the
egg-laying habit of the plum-gouger as follows : "The modus
GENUINE SNOUT-BEETLES. 195
operandi is very simple, and requires but a minute and a half to
two minutes for the performance of the entire operation. She
first spreads out her legs to their full extent, braces them, and
then draws her beak or rostrum to as nearly a perpendicular posi-
tion as possible, then by gnawing, and with a twisting motion she
soon works her snout into the fruit until it is buried a trifle above
the bases of the antennae, the latter being held close against and
directed upward along the rostrum upon the head while the hole
is being made. She now draws out her beak, and deliberately
turns about, and after a few preliminary thrusts of the ovipositor
inserts the latter into the hole just made with the beak, and de-
posits a single egg that is of the diameter of the puncture. The
egg is of a dirty whitish, somewhat transparent color, and is
plainly visible with an ordinary pocket lens, being uncovered and
nearly flush with the surface. It soon becomes covered by a heal-
ing of the injured fruit." Each female deposits only one egg in
a young plum; if more are found it is the work of different fe-
males. The larva that hatches from such an egg is never exposed,
hence can not be killed by sprays with arsenical poisons. In en-
tering the fruit a transparent or gummy substance collects over
the puncture, as is well shown in the illustration. The larva
feeds not only upon the flesh of the plum, but upon the flesh of
the kernel inside of the stone. Here it undergoes its transfor-
mation from a larva to a pupa and to the adult insect, which
later leaves as soon as strong enough to do so, and searches for
hibernating quarters in and about the orchard. Many of the
plums that contain the worms drop, and should be removed and
destroyed, but many others remain on the trees long after the
beetles have left, and some of them are even still fit for culinary
purposes. There is very little use in spraying. Jarring early in
the season, at the time the trees are in full bloom, or even a little
sooner, will bring down many of these injurious beetles, and if
this is done early in the morning they can be readily gathered
and killed. The jarring has to be done in a forcible manner, as
the beetles cling very tightly to the tree.
Another species so closely resembling the above species as
196
GENUINE SNOU T-BEETLES.
Fig. 208. — Coccotorus scvtellaris, Lee. and C. prunicida, Walsh,
of Entomology, U. S. Department of Agriculture.
-After Division
to be almost indistinguishable, is found upon the sand-cherry.
It has similar life-habits. Both are shown in Fig. 208, and it
will be seen that the difference between them is but slight.
In the genus Anthonomus we possesss a large number of
beetles, all small, with modest colors, but with great power of in-
jury. Only a few of the more important ones will be given.
THE APPLE CURCULIO.
(Anthonomus quadrigibbus Say).
This is a common beetle in Minnesota, where it is found
breeding almost exclusively in wild crabs and haws, but it is
simply a question of time when it will also attack the cultivated
apple, which it does in states having older orchards. Prof. Saun-
ders gives the following description of this insect :
"It is a small beetle, a little smaller than a plum-curculio, of
;i dull brown color, having a long, thin snout, which sticks out
more or less horizontally, and can not be folded under the body,
as is the case with many species of curculio. This snout in the
female is as long as the body ; in the male it is about half that
length. In addition to the prominent snout, it is furnished with
GENUINE SNOUT-BEETLES.
197
four conspicuous brownish-red humps towards the hinder part
of its body, from which it takes its specific name, quadriggibus.
Including the snout, its length is a quarter of an inch or more.
In the accompanying illustration (Fig. 209), the insect is mag-
nified ; a represents a back view, b a side view ; the outline at the
left shows its natural size. Its body is dull brown-, shaded with
rusty red ; the thorax and anterior third of the wing-covers are
grayish.
"This is a native American insect which formerly bred exclu-
sively in the wild crabs and haws ; it is single-brooded, and passes
the winter in the beetle state. The beetle appears quite early,
Fig. 209. — Anthonomus (/uadrigibbus, Say. After Riley.
and the larva may often be found hatched before the middle of
June, and in various stages of its growth in the fruit during June,
Jul}-, and August.
"The beetle with its long snout drills holes into the young
apples, much like the puncture of a hot needle, the hole being
round, and surrounded by a blackish margin. Those which are
drilled by the insect when feeding are about one-tenth of an inch
deep, and scooped out broadly at the bottom ; those which the
female makes for her eggs are scooped out still more broadly, and
the egg is placed at the bottom. The egg is of a yellowish color,
and in shape a long oval, being about one-twenty-fifth of an inch
in length and not quite half that in width. As soon as the larva
hatches, it burrows to the heart of the fruit, where it feeds around
the core, which becomes partly filled with rusty-red excrement.
198
GENUINE SNOUT-BEETLES.
In about a month it attains its full size, when it presents the ap-
pearance shown in Fit;- 209, which represents the larva and the
pupa highly magnified. Fig. 210 shows an infested apple, the
egg c, and egg-cavity b.
"The larva is a soft white grub, nearly halt an inch in length,
w ith a yellowish-brown head and jaws. Its body is much wrinkled,
the spaces between the folds being of a bluish-black color; there is
also a line of a bluish shade down the back. Having no legs, it is
incapable of much movement, and remains within the fruit it
occupies, changing there to a pupa of a whitish color, and in two
or three weeks, when perfected, the beetle cuts a hole through
the fruit and escapes.
Fig. 210. — Applecontainingeggs; b, egg-cavity,
natural size; c, egg, much enlarged. After
Gillette.
Fis. 211 -Anthonomussigrn&tus,
Say. After Division of Ento-
mology, U. S. Department of
Agriculture.
"When feeding this insect makes a number of holes or punc-
tures, and around these a hard knot or swelling forms, which much
disfigures the fruit ; pears, as well as apples, are injured in this
way. The infested fruits do not usually fall to the ground, as do
apples affected by the codling worm, but remain attached to the
tree, and the insect, from its habit of living within the fruit
through all its stages, is a difficult one to destroy. Picking the
affected specimens from the tree, and vigorously jarring the tree
during the time when the beetle is about, will bring it to the
ground, where it can be destroyed in the same manner as recom-
mended for the plum curculio. Fortunately it is seldom found
in such abundance as to do much damage to the fruit-crop. In
Southern Illinois, and in some portions of Missouri it has proved
GENUINE SNOl'T-BEETLES. 199
destructive, but in most of the Northern United States, and in
Canada, although common on thorn-bushes and crab-apples, it
seldom attacks the more valuable fruits to any considerable ex-
tent."
THE CRANBERRY CURCULIO.
(Ant/ioiioi/ius suturalis Lee).
About the middle of July we can find numerous beetles of this
kind in the blossoms of this plant, but the} are also found upon
many other kinds. The small beetle is very variable in color, but
is usually reddish-brown, with a dark brown head, and a beak
about half as long as its body. The pro-thorax is darker than
the elytra, and is covered with short, whitish hairs ; the elytra are.
ornamented with rows of indented dots, and are in most cases
black along the suture, which color sometimes forms a triangular
spot in the middle, of which the whitish scutellum is the center.
The beetle measures a little over one-eighth of an inch in length,
including the rather long beak. When the female has selected
the bud of a blossom she drills, with the snout, a hole through
the center, and in this hole she deposits a pale yellow egg. This
done, she cuts off the flower stem, which drops to the ground ; the
egg hatches a dull white grub with a yellow head armed with
black jaws with which it devours the inside of a bud, eventually
eating its way out, leaving a round hole in the side of the bud,
and transforms to a pupa, and soon afterwards to a perfect beetle,
which may sometimes be seen feeding upon the berries.
The only remedy in such a case is to flood the cranberry
swamp, which will drown the larvae and pupae.
THE STRAWBERRY CURCULTO.
i
( Anthonomus signatus Say).
This is one of the most troublesome of the strawberry insects,
but as yet is found only in very limited numbers in our state,
preferring here to feed in the blossoms of the wild plants. Its
history is well known, and the writer had the doubtful pleasure
of first observing its actions while assistant of Prof. Riley in Mis-
200 GENUINE SNOUT-BEETLES.
souri. Prof. Smith writes that it "appears as a small, blackish
beetle, with gray pubescence, when the buds are developing, and
lays an egg into each, afterwards puncturing the flower-stalk be-
low the bud so as to check further development. The larva feeds
upon the pollen in the unopened bud which affords sufficient food
till it attains its full growth, changing to a beetle in midsummer.
The insect attacks a number of other flowers in the same way,
nut even confining itself to one natural family, and its injury to
strawberries is of a somewhat intermittent character, becoming
worse for a number of years, then stopping suddenly for no ap-
parent reason. Only staminate or pollen-bearing varieties are at-
tacked, and the Sharpless is' perhaps the most seriously infested.
By planting chiefly pistillate varieties the staminate rows may be
protected by cheap coverings until the buds are ready to open,
and even if only a small crop is obtained on the pollenizers, the
main crop will be safe without protection. Insecticides have not
proved markedly useful in this case." This species is shown in
Figs 211 and 212.
Many other species of the genus Anthonomus are found in
the flowers of apple, crab, and thorn, and may be more or less in-
jurious; such are A. profundus Lee, A. decipiens Lee, and A.
crata&gi Walsh, the latter being often very numerous in the flow-
ers of the crab-apples.
Another species of these destructive snout-beetles has of late
become very destructive in our cotton growing states, into which
it found its way from Mexico. It is A. grandis, famous or rather
infamous on account of its bad habit of eating into the bolls of
cotton, which it destroys.
In Europe many species of this genus attack the flowers of
the apple and plum, and are assisted in doing so by other beetles
belonging to the genus Rhynchites already mentioned. The
writer, in watching the English sparrows in the Eastern States,
has frequently wondered why these birds should go to the trou-
ble of picking such flowers to pieces, and especially those of the
peach. The)' are so intent upon this work that not infrequently
the great majority of the flowers are destroyed, and form a white
GENUINE SNOUT-BEETLES.
201
Fief. 212.^ — Anthonomus signatus, Say. Eggs, larva, pupa and injuries. After
Division of Entomology, U. S. Department of Agriculture.
sheet beneath the tree. This action of the sparrows can not be
done simply out of sheer mischief, but must have another cause.
As these birds also pick into similar flowers in Europe to find
beetles in them, there can be but little doubt that this habit of in-
vestigating' flowers is so persistent that even here, after many
generations of sparrows have died, their off-spring still possess
it. and prompted by it search for insects not found here at all.
The next genus, Conotrachelns, also contains numerous de-
structive members, chief of which is the one described in the "First
Annual Report," which is quoted :
THE PLUM CURCULIO.
I Conotrachelus nenuphar Hbst. ).
We can hardly open an entomological bulletin issued by any
of the eastern, central or southern states without finding a de-
scription of this insect, and of the remedies that will kill it and
202 GENUINE SNOUT-BEETLES.
save the fruit. Yet as a very general rule more is claimed for
such proposed remedies than is warranted by facts, and many of
the measures have not proved very satisfactory. This is especial-
]', true of the application of Paris-green and London-purple,
which, with the Bordeaux mixture, are nowadays a sort of cure-
all. All these substances are of great value, hut as far as the
"Little Turk" is concerned we have to depend for success very
largely upon other methods, which, though requiring much more
labor, are also much more certain. Though so well known, it is
perhaps best to give an outline of the life-history of this insect,
which is illustrated in Fig. 213. Plate TIT. As the illustration
shows, this snout-beetle is less than one-fourth of an inch in
length, is of a brown color with four sealingwax-like elevated ex-
crescences on the hard wing-covers. The beetles hibernate
among all sorts of rubbish, but prefer accumulated leaves and simi-
lar substances. Early in spring, and long before the buds of the
plum-trees open, they visit the orchards, and eat the tender parts
of the tree, such as green bark and buds ; later they eat leaves,
flowers and young fruit. Knowing this habit we can kill large
numbers of the curculios by spraying the trees before the leaves
and flowers appear. This should be done thoroughly, and as the
foliage otherwise so very tender as regards arsenical substances
is still enclosed, there is no danger of injuring the trees. When
the flowers open we should not spray ; it is more or less useless,
and we run the risk of killing many honey-bees, which are at-
tracted to them, and are very important, as without them but few
fruits will set. As soon as the latter have reached the size of a
small marble the female curculio commences to deposit her eggs :
she makes a crescent-sbaped cut and then separates and elevates
a small flap into which the egg is inserted. This peculiar cres-
cent-shaped slit has given the insect the name : "Little Turk" ; it
is made apparently to deaden the flesh of the fruit, or to delay its
rapid growth, which otherwise might injure the enclosed delicate
egg. This hatches in a few days, and the whitish larva or worm,
also shown in the illustration, bores at once into the interior of
the fruit until it reaches its stone, which it never enters, however,
GENUINE SNOUT-BEETLES. 203
as is the case with the plum-gouger, which always docs so. The
work of the larva is also shown. Though we can not poison the
larvae which are hidden inside the fruit, a second spraying about
this time will do some good, as the females continue to deposit
their eggs for a long time and require some food. As such
spraying will also kill many other injurious insects of the plum-
tree, it should not be neglected.
By midsummer the larva has reached its full size, and now
leaves to pupate; it does so in the earth beneath the tree, and the
pupa soon changes to an adult insect. As soon as able to move
the freshly issued beetles search for hibernating quarters, and are
not again seen in the orchard until the next spring.
As will be seen from the above account of the habits of this
insect, it is not readily combatted by arsenical poisons, though
two applications of them will do considerable good. Those who
will apply either Paris-green or London-purple for this purpose
should recollect that the foliage of the plum is very easily injured
by all arsenical poisons, and that it is absolutely necessary to add
at least equal parts of quick-lime which will neutralize all soluble
arsenic and thus prevent injury.
The old remedy of jarring the trees every day or two over
some sheets is after all the most successful one ; in doing so dur-
ing the day, when these beetles are not active, they drop very
readily, and can be easily gathered and destroyed. The trees
should be jarred, not simply shaken. It seems that by jarring we
Pig. 214. — Machine to catch plum curculios. After Lintner.
20+
i ; EN 1 1 1 N E SNOUT-BEETL ES.
imitate the vibrations produced by the hammering of wook-peck-
ers, and the curculios drop to escape them, while shaking simply
imitates the motion produced by the wind. There are also a num-
ber of patented and unpatented devices to catch these insects by
machinery, which jar the tree, collect the beetles, and grind them
tip. More can not be expected from one machine ! A very sim-
ple contrivance to collect the beetles is shown in Fig. 214. All
fallen fruit should be picked up is a rule that should be strictly
followed in every orchard. If the owners of trees have no time
for this purpose, let them permit turkeys and chicken to- do so ;
even hogs and sheep may be useful.
Fig. 215. — Conotrachelus nenuphar, Hbst; punctures in apples. After Division
of Entomology, U. S. Department of Agriculture-
There are many other methods in vogue, and a few of them
are of some use. Shingles laid close to the trunk of a tree, the
fruits of which are to be protected, will early in the spring offer a
shelter for the beetles that have fed upon the trees during the
night, and which, towards morning, leave it — on foot — to hide
during the day. By turning over and inspecting these traps one
can destroy many beetles.
Although the curculio is well protected as long as still en-
closed by the plum, it has nevertheless many enemies, and these
destroy large numbers of the full-grown larvae of the "Little
GENUINE SNOUT-BEETLES.
205
Turk" when they leave the fruit to enter the ground for pupation.
Other insects actually eat into the fruit as it lies upon the ground,
to seize the larvae, drag them out, and eat them. Some of the
ground-beetles mentioned before are of great assistance to the
fruit-growers, and the Harpalus pennsylvanicus De G., illustrated
in Fig. 22, is of special importance, as it is very common in our
orchards. It's larva is illustrated in Fig. 216, in the act of de-
vouring a curculio larva. Other 'members of this useful family
of insects are also good friends, and should be known as such.
Fig. 216.— Harpalus pennsylvanicus, DeG; larva. Fig. 217 '. — Chauliognathus
After Division of Entomology, U. S. Department americanus, Forst.; larva
of Agriculture. and adtilt. After Riley.
Fig. 217 shows the larva and adult of one of our most com-
mon soldier-beetles, Chauliognathus americanus Forst. The
beetles themselves occur in large numbers on the flowers of the
golden-rod; they are yellowish with black markings, as shown in
the illustration. Their larva? frequently work their way into the
plum in search of their prey and do this even while the fruit is
still on the tree.
Fig. 218. — Sigalphus curculionis, Fitch; a, male; b, female. After Division of
Entomology, U. S. Department of Agriculture.
206
GENUINE SNOUT-BEETLES.
The larvae of the "lace-wing flies" are also fond of such fat
morsels as the larvae of the plum curculios, and are not slow to
utilize such food whenever they can obtain it.
Ants of many kinds destroy the helpless larvae as these leave
the fruit to enter the ground, and if the latter is kept free of
weeds and dusty, many perish before they succeed in entering - it.
This again shows that clean culture is of benefit in many ways !
It is stated that large numbers of eggs of the curculio are
eaten by a minute yellow Thrips, scarcely one-twentieth of an
inch long.
Fig. 219. — Sigalphus curculionis, Fitch; a, larva; b, cocoon;
Division of Entomology, U. S. Department of Agriculture.
c, pupa. After
Besides such cannibal insects we possess other friends,
which are true parasites. At least two species are described,
both illustrated in Figs. 218, 219, and 220. In some years such
parasites are fairly common, and do good work, but as a general
rule they do not appear in sufficient numbers to act as an effi-
cient check, and there is but little doubt that if we wish to eat
fine plums we will have to work for them, otherwise the curculio
will certainly take more than the lion's share.
Fig. 220.— Porizon conotracheli, Riley; a, female; b. male. After Division of
Bntomology, U. S. Department of Agriculture.
GENUINE SNOUT-BEETLES. 207
THE WALNUT CURCULIO.
(Cono tracheitis jit gland is Lee).
Looking at the adult of this heetle we arc apt to imagine
that we have before us simply a very large specimen of the plum-
curculio, with the white band across the posterior portion of the
wing-covers whiter and more clearly marked. The sealingwax-
like projections, which form such a distinctive feature in nenuphar
are also present, while in all other species of the large genus Con-
otrachelus they are either simply indicated or entirely absent.
The injury caused to our native walnuts and butternuts by
these beetles is considerable, as they frequently take more than
the lion's share, so that no nuts are left for our use. Infested
nuts show the presence of the worm inside by a discolored spot
upon the green husk, from which dark-colored masses not infre-
quently project.
Several other species occur, for instance C. crataegi Walsh,
in the fruits of hawthorns ; C. clcgans Say, in the partly rolled up
leaves of the pig-hickory, which being cut off hang down, with-
er and turn black; C. naso Lee, and C. posticatus Say, in the fruit
of the haw.
THE QUINCE CURCULIO.
(Conotrachclus crataegi Walsh).
As already mentioned this beetle is found in Minnesota, and
eats in its larval stage the fruits of the hawthorn ; but in the
east it has become rather destructive to the quince. As may be
seen from the illustration (Fig. 221), it is a broad-shouldered
snout-beetle, larger than our enemy, the plum curculio, possessing
also a larger snout. It is of an ash-gray color, mottled, in fresh
specimens with ochre-yellow or white, with a dusky and almost
triangular spot at the base of the pro-thorax ; there are seven
narrow longitudinal ridges on the elytra, with two narrow rows
of rather deep pits between. It is most commonly found during
the month ^>f June, when it punctures the young fruit, making
a cylindrical hole a little larger than is sufficient to admit the egg ;
208
GENUINE SNOUT-BEETLES.
the hole is a little enlarged at the base. In it the egg hatches into
a larva, which does not, however, penetrate to the core, but bur-
rows in the fruit near the surface.
The larva, a little larger than that of the plum curculio, and
having a narrow dusky line down the back, matures in about four
weeks, when it leaves the quince by a cylindrical opening and
drops to the ground. Into this it burrows to a depth of several
inches, remaining there until spring, when it transforms to a pupa,
and soon afterwards to a beetle. This also feeds upon the quince,
sometimes penetrating deeply into it. It also occasionally attacks
the pear.
Like the plum-curculio it can be collected in large numbers
by jarring; fruit infested, which falls prematurely to the ground,
should also be gathered and destroyed.
Pig. 221.— Coaotrachelus crateegi,
Walsh. After Riley.
Fisr. 222.
Rilev.
-Tyloderma fragarias, Ril. After
It seems that all members of the genus Conotrachelus possess
similar food habits, and many other plants besides the fruit-pro-
ducing ones are infested; for instance, the C. fissitnguis Lee, so
frequently found along the «shores of tide water swamps in the
showy flowers of the Hibiscus, feeds as a larva in the bolls of that
plant.
There are some species of a closely allied genus, (Chalcoder-
mus), which are found as beetles upon the fruit of the dewberry
and blackberry, which they destroy. The writer has also seen
them in large numbers upon human excrement containing the
seeds of these berries.
GENUINE SNOUT-BEETLES. 209
THE STRAWBERRY CROWN -BORER.
(Tylodcrma fragariae Ril.).
These beetles are not frequently seen, but the work of their
larva? is apt to become very prominent, as all strawberry plants
infested by them are sure to perish. The beetle, shown in Fig.
222, is about one-sixth of an inch long", of a leathery-brown color,
with two large black spots on the sides of the elytra, which spots
are set off very clearly in fresh specimens, as in such cases they
are bordered with heavy white scales, which, however, have almost
disappeared in older ones. The prothorax is deeply and uniform-
ly pitted.
Like a number of similar and closely allied beetles, it pre-
tends to be dead when disturbed, and plays possum most perfectly.
having the rather short and thick beak completely hidden beneath
the head and thorax, and the legs are folded together and bent
at the same time so that no one would believe that this object
could be a living insect. The beetles appear in June and July, and
deposit eggs about the crown of the strawberry plant ; when
hatched the young larvse enter the crown, burrow downward,
and bore and excavate the substance of the crown until full
grown, when they appear as represented at a in the illustration.
After changing to a pupa the adult beetle appears during the
month of August.
Old strawberry plants are more liable to injury than new
ones, and the only remedy we possess is to dig up and burn the
plants suspected of containing such larwe as soon as the fruiting
season is over.
A number of similar beetles occur in flowers and upon the
grape-vine, but as far as known cause no injuries. Both the pol-
ished black T. ocrcum Say, and the rougher T. foveolatmn Say,
which is ornamented with white scales arranged in spots, lines,
and bands, are common in Minnesota.
The illustration, (Fig. 223. Plate III.), shows a very remark-
able snout-beetle (Tachygonus Lecontci Gyll.), which feeds on the
leaves of oak. It gave the writer a good illustration of the truth of
210
GENUINE SNOUT-BEETLES.
the old maxim : "there is nothing- new under the sun." He found a
specimen of this odd-looking being, and wondered why it should
possess such long legs, and of such peculiar shape. By spending
much time he discovered that the beetle in flying to a young oak-
tree near by approached the under side of a leaf and threw the
legs upwards when they performed the action of an anchor and
fastened the insect to the desired spot. When writing down his
observations he happened to consult a very old entomological
work, and found to his intense surprise — and disgust — that this
fact had already been recorded in the year of his birth.
THE GRAPE CURCULIO.
(Craponius inaequalis Say).
This almost globular snout-beetle, illustrated in Fig. 224, is
by no means common in our state, but has been repeatedly taken
from grapes, hence should be mentioned. It is only about one-
Fig. 224. — Craponius insequalis. Say. After Riley.
tenth of an inch long, black, thickly punctated, and sprinkled
with scales forming grayish spots or dots. It seems to pass the
winter in the perfect state, laying eggs on the young berries of the
grape during June or early in July. The young larva enters the
berry and feeds upon it, showing its presence by a discoloration
on one side of the same. A dark circular dot can be detected in
this discolored spot, which indicates where the larva has entered.
Notwithstanding this injury, the affected berry does not decay,
but remains sound and hard, although it sometimes drops to the
ground before it is fully ripe. The enclosed yellowish-white and
translucent larva is an elongated footless grub, with a large, horny,
GENUINE SNOUT-BEETLES.
211
brownish-yellow head, which reaches its full size late in July or
early in August, when it drops to the ground, and entering the
same changes to a pupa, and later to a beetle.
Much of the injury caused to the berries of the grape is
caused by a small moth, the grape-berry moth, illustrated in the
"Fourth Annual Report," and not all the blame should be laid at
the door of this beetle, which is seldom numerous enough to cause
any serious injury. If this should ever happen it can be gath-
ered by jarring the vine over an inverted umbrella.
Similar in size, shape and general markings are a large num-
ber of snout-beetles found in Minnesota. None of them are of
much economic importance, with the exception, perhaps, of one
species, which forms gall-like swellings on the roots of cabbage.
To show their appearance the illustration, (Fig. 225), is repro-
duced.
\££Ms-
Fig. 225. — Cabbage Curculio. Alter Brehm.
There is another large group of snout-beetles, some mem-
bers of which are very numerous in Minnesota, that deserve a
passing notice, and the description of a few injurious ones will
be given, which, with the illustrations, will give a general idea
as to how they appear.
The Potato-stalk Borer (Trichobaris ynotata Say) is
fairly common. It is a small ash-gray snout-beetle, about one-
sixth of an inch in length, with a black snout and three small
212
GENUINE SNOUT-BEETLES.
black spots at the base of the wing-covers (Fig. 226). The ash-
gray color is produced by the numerous scales of that color, which
uniformly cover the beetle, and the black spots, sometimes very
plainly marked but in other cases entirely absent, seem to be pro-
duced by the removal of such scales. Western species are mostly
unicolored, eastern possess three larger or smaller spots. This
beetle deposits eggs in the stems and larger branches of the po-
tato, Jimpson weed, and perhaps other Solanaceae; the resulting
white larva? feed there until midsummer, when, at the time the
Fig. 226.— Trichobaris 3. tiotata, Say. After Smith.
plant matures, they change to pupa? and beetles, the latter remain-
ing in the burrows until spring. Knowing their life-history it is
of course very simple to suggest the proper remedy, i. e., to burn
the dead potato-vines as soon as the crop is harvested.
Many other and similar snout-beetles are found, which, as a
rather general rule, are polished black, with numerous fine stria?
upon their wing-covers.
THE GRAPE-VINE GALL-BEETLE.
{Ampeloglyhtcr Scsostris Lee).
This, as well as A. (iter, produces curious gall-like swellings
on the stems of the grape-vine, which have received the name
Vitis vulnus Ril. Such galls are not uncommon on the wild and
GENUINE SNOUT-BEETLES.
213
cultivated grape vines, being- elongated knots or swellings, usually
situated immediately above or below a joint, as shown in Fig. 227.
Frequently the gall shows a longitudinal depression on one side,
dividing it into two prominences, usually distinguished by a rosy
tint. The architect of such a gall is a small beetle about one-
eightb of an inch long, of a reddish-brown to^black color, with a
rather stout beak, half as long as its body. The entire beetle is
highly polished ; the thorax is punctated, and the wing-covers are
without any markings, but have a sort of wavy surface, in certain
lights producing the effect of being marked as shown in the illus-
tration. The adult insect is found early in July ; the female at
this time punctures the stem of the vine, and deposits an egg which
Fig. 227. — Ampeloglypter Sesostris, Lee. After Riley.
soon hatches into a whitish grub that feeds within the swollen
part of the vine. It remains inside the gall until June of the fol-
lowing year. A full grown larva is about a quarter of an inch
long, white, cylindrical, footless, with a large yellowish head.
During June it changes to a pupa, and soon afterwards to a per-
fect beetle.
These beetles are not numerous enough to cause any exten-
sive damage, and as the galls can readily be seen, they can be
cut off and burned. Since we trim our vines in the autumn, be-
fore burying them in the ground to prevent freezing, there is no
danger that this snout-beetle should ever become injurious, and
especially if we gather the cut off vines and burn them. Our
numerous wild grapes, however, will always produce a crop of
such beetles.
A related species, the A. ater Lee, which is very similar to
the Sesostris, forms gall-like swellings on the leaf-stalks of the
214
GENUINE SNOUT-BEETLES.
Virginia creeper, and in this case at least the beetles mature in-
side them before the summer is past, indicating, perhaps, that it is
double-brooded.
Still another similar but larger beetle is frequently found up-
on the grape vines and other plants ; it is Madarus undulatus Boh.,
and is a very singular looking insect, very highly polished, en-
tirely black, and with a bright reddish pro-thorax. The surface
of the wing-covers are undulating, hence the specific name.
The genus Balaninus contains a number of very peculiar
beetles, frequently called "Nut- weevils" (Fig. 228). All of them
Fig. 228.— Nut-weevil. After Bretam.
confine their attention to the different kinds of hazelnuts, chest-
nuts, acorns, and hickory nuts; hence are injurious where nuts
as chestnuts and pecans are grown for the market.
In Minnesota we have a large number of such beetles, and
the lover of freshly-picked hazel nuts is frequently greatly dis-
appointed in finding a fat worm instead of a sweet kernel. People
buying chestnuts are equally disgusted with their bargains and
for the same reason. The great majority of acorns are equally
infested. All our species of Bolaninus are large beetles.
GENUINE SNOUT-BEETLES.
215
THE CHESTNUT WEEVIL.
( Balaninits caryatrypes Boh.).
As this species shows the forms of all members of this genus
it is described and illustrated in Fig. 229. It is the largest, and
like the others, of a clay-yellow color, marked with brown spots
arranged in wavy lines. It has an exceedingly long and slender
black beak, which in the female is longer than the entire insect,
and is gracefully curved ; in the male the rostrum is not much
longer than the wing-covers. Dr. Le Conte, in his work on "The
Rhynchophora of America," remarks that the beak of these
beetles attains in length and attenuation the greatest development ;
Fig. 229 — Balaninus caryatrypes, Boh.
After Division of Entomology, U. S.
Department of Agriculture.
Fig. 230. — Balaninus rectus. Say.
After Division of Entomology, U.
S. Department of Agriculture.
in the male it is rarely shorter than the body, in the female it is
frequently twice the length, and is used to make the perforation
into which the egg is subsequently introduced. The great thick-
ness of the husks of the fruit, (chestnuts, walnuts, hickory nuts,
etc.) attacked by these insects necessitates a very long perfor-
ating instrument to reach the kernel upon which the larva feeds.
The chestnut is often badly infested by this large white maggot
with a yellowish head, which attains its full size at the time the
nuts drop. It is found in nuts sent to the market, and it is prob-
able that while some of the maggots gnaw their way out, and enter
the ground in the autumn to transform, others delay until the
spring, and this is but natural, as the adults are found almost
throughout the warmer portions of the year, depositing eggs dur-
216
BRENTHIDS.
ing the greater part of this period. The worms devour nearly
one-third or one-half of the interior of the nut, part of the cavity
being" filled with the castings of the worm. As the grub is white
it is liable to be overlooked and eaten with the chestnut; when
mature it leaves through a round hole and drops to the ground,
into which it enters to some depth, and here it hibernates, chang-
ing to a beetle in the spring.
People in more southern regions, who raise chestnuts for the
market, lose considerably by the attacks of this grub. The only
remedy against the beetle consists in gathering the nuts as soon
as they fall, and either shipping them at once, or else storing them
in tight boxes and barrels, from which the larva; can not escape.
Here they gather in large numbers at the bottom, and can easily be
killed with boiling water.
We have a number of species, which are found in acorns. B.
rectus Say, one of them, is illustrated in Fig. 230.
FAMILY BRENTHIDAE.
(Bret kids) .
( )nly a single species is found in our state, the family being-
confined to tropical regions, where a large number of very peculiar
forms exist. Our species, the Eupsalis minuta, Drury, although
Fig-. 231.— Eupsalis minuta, Drury.
Riley.
Fig. 232 —Brenthus anchorago
Linn ; male and female. Alter
Brebm.
BILL-BUGS; GRAIN-WEEVILS. 217
quite odd in appearance, does not give a good idea of its southern
relatives, some of which are exceedingly long, almost linear. E.
minuta (Fig. 231), occurs as larva in the solid wood of oak-
trees. The male of the adult insect possesses a broad and flat snout,
equipped with powerful jaws ; the female has the head prolonged
into a slender one. The males fight desperately with their beaks,
and are even said to assist the females in forcing their slender
beak into the solid wood by grasping it with their own, so that
with united strength a hole for the reception of the egg is formed.
Fig. 232 shows the two sexes of such interesting insects from
warmer regions.
FAMILY CALANDRIDAE.
(Bill bugs; Grain-weevils.)
In this family the lateral edge of the meta-thorax and of the
abdomen fits into a groove in the wing-cover, the surface of this
groove has a pearly luster. The pygidium of both sexes is un-
divided, and may be covered or uncovered by the wing-covers,
but it is not surrounded by them at the edge, as in the Scolytidae ;
the tibise are not serrate ; the antennae are elbowed ; and the la-
brum is wanting. The larvae of the larger species bore into the
stems of plants, while those of the smaller species infest grains and
seeds. (Comstock).
As none of these beetles are destructive to fruit producing
plants, only a few of the better known and most destructive
kinds will be described and illustrated.
The large genus Sphenophorus is well represented in our
state and many species are found, especially along the shores of
our lakes, where they occur at certain seasons in remarkably great
numbers.
The most common species are S. ochreus Lee, and S. costi-
pennis Horn. The former feeds in the roots of Scirpus, and is
shown as larva and adult (Fig. 233) . It varies greatly in color, but
perfectly fresh specimens are ochreus, marked with whitish and
blackish longitudinal lines.
218
BILL-BUGS; GRAIX-WREVILS.
Prof. Smith writes as follows about such beetles : "In many
localities corn is attacked soon after it shows above ground bv in-
sects known as 'Corn Bill-bugs.' (In eastern Maryland and Vir-
ginia they call corn injured by such beetles 'Frenchy,' in the
same way in which they call the Thrasher, a singing bird inferior
in song to the Mocking-bird, the 'French Mocking-bird').
These belong to the genus Sphenophorus, and are blackish or
brown, rarely gray in color, varying from one-fourth to one-half
an inch in length, with very thick and hard wing-covers, which
Fig. 233. — Sphenophorus ochreui,, Lee; larva and adult. Alter Division of Ento-
mology, U. S. Department of Agrictilttire.
are ridged and punctured, as is also the thorax. They hide in
the soil at the base of the corn-plants during the day, and kill them
by boring little round holes in the stem. They are most frequent-
ly after timothy, especially on old sod ; or when corn follows
sedges or bulb-rooted grasses. It is in such places that the larvae
live naturally, pupating in fall or early spring, and the beetles,
finding that their natural food is gone on spring plowed land,
attack the corn, which replaces it, and is nearly enough like it to
be to their taste. The period of injury is usually short, and if
replanting is delayed a little, the new shoots escape attack. Fall-
plowing old timothy-sod or sedge-land is always indicated, and
BILL-BUGS; GRAIN-WEEVILS.
219
will generally serve to reduce if it does not entirely prevent in-
jury."
Some other closely related beetles are only too well known.
They are the grain and rice-weevils, belonging to the genus Calan-
dra. These insects, similar in shape to those just mentioned but
hardly exceeding one-eighth of an inch in length, infest stored
grain of all kinds and have become almost cosmopolitans, being
brought to nearly all parts of the globe by commerce. They are
black or brownish-red, sometimes marked with lighter-colored
Fig. 234. — Calandra granaria, Linn.; a, beetle; 6, larva; c, pupa; d, C. oryza,
Linn.— All enlarged. After Division of Entomology, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
spots as indicated in the illustration (Fig. 234J). Wherever
grain of all kinds, or rice, is stored for any length of time, these
insects are sure to be attracted, and are as certainly apt to mul-
tiply very rapidly, so that before long the grain-bins are overrun
by myriads of them. In some mills, breweries and similar places
they are so numerous that they become a very great pest, and it
is difficult to get rid of them in such places. The only preven-
tion is cleanliness and the rapid removal of stored grain. They
prefer dark places, therefore a flood of sunlight will prevent their
rapid increase. After removal of the grain all cracks should be
220 BARK-BEETLES; ENGRAVER-BEETLES.
made tight, so as to do away with hiding places. In bins that
can be made fairly tight, these insects can easily be controlled by
the use of bisulphide of carbon. This is poured on the grain,
covering it afterwards with canvas "or any other similar material
to prevent the too rapid escape of the fumes, which, being heavier
than air, gradually permeate the entire mass, killing everything
in it without causing any injury to the seeds themselves. It is best
to do this work after working hours, at all events away from any
fire, as the fumes of this chemical are inflammable, and may other-
wise kill the insects in a most unexpected, though very effective
way.
Numerous other and similar insects are often found under
the bark of trees, especially that of the pine. All such beetles
are very similar in shape, most are highly polished, others are
roughly punctured and gray.
FAMILY SC0LYT1DAE.
{Bark-beetles, Engraver-beetles) .
"Engraver-beetles" are so named because they make burrows
of more or less regularity between the bark and the sap-wood,
as may be seen in the illustration, (Fig. 235), which illus-
trates the work of the Hickory-bark Borer, (Scolytus 4-spiuosus
Say). Some of these beetles are also called "shot-hole borers."
from the little round holes with blackened edges which they make
in wood and bark ; and still others are called "Ambrosia Beetles."
because the insects actually plant the spores of a fungus in the
burrows made in solid wood upon which they and their larva; live.
Most of the members of this large family attack forest trees, and
those interested in them should read tbe excellent work of Dr.
Packard, already referred to.
Bark-beetles are mostly small, some almost microscopic, the
larger ones rarely exceeding a quarter of an inch in length. Their
form is cylindrical, the hind end of the body is frequently very
blunt, or even cut off squarely; the feelers are short; elbowed or
bent in the middle, ending in knobs at the tip ; the tibiae are usu-
BARK-BEETLES ; ENGRAVER-BEETLES.
221
Fig. 235. — a, work of Bostricbus; b, that of Eccoptogaster. After Brehm.
ally serrate, and the pygidium is surrounded at the edge by the
wing-covers, which have the fold on the inner side well de-
veloped. In many cases the edges of the declivity of the wing-
covers are toothed or serrated in various ways, though in others
they are normal. They also differ from the other snout-beetles in
possessing a very short snout, which is scarcely more than a slight
prolongation of the head.
The larvae are similar to those of the genuine Curculionidae ,
but have stronger jaws to adapt them for boring into hard wood.
Their method of doing so is very peculiar, and differs in the dif-
ferent genera composing this family. Some bore between the
bark and solid wood, several working from a common center ;
the burrows, which gradually widen to the place of exit, radiate
222 BARK-BEETLES; ENGRAVER-BEETLES.
in all directions, making fanciful carvings and engravings on the
inner side of the bark and the surface of the wood, hence the
name "engravers."
Many species have a habit similar to the one quoted by Prof.
Comstock from Dr. Lindemann, who writes : "that in the case of
Tomicus typographies the original tunnel is begun by the male,
who makes a little chamber in the bark ; afterwards the female
comes to him in this chamber, and later she continues the mine
begun by her mate, making the long central tunnel from which
the tunnels of her off-spring extend. Thus we see that all the
members of a single family have a share in making one of these
engravings."
Whenever a tree has been invaded by a number of such in-
sects the trees are killed, and in other cases the timber is greatly
injured by the burrows in the solid Avood. It seems as if these
beetles preferred sick or dying trees, in which case they act sim-
ply as scavengers, removing the dead material to make room for
new growth. Beside forest trees, fruit-trees are also attacked by
some members of this large family, and in some very few cases
even the roots of the clover suffer.
Those interested in such beetles should not fail to read the
important work of Dr. A. S. Packard, published by the U. S. De-
partment of Agriculture, entitled : "Insects Injurious to Forest
and Shade Trees," or the most interesting paper on "Ambrosia
Beetles" by H. (i. Hubbard in a recent bulletin (No. 7) of the
Division of Entomology, Washington, D. C, and the valuable
bulletin (No. 56) of the West Virginia Experiment Station by
A. D. Hopkins.
THE APPLE BARK-BEETLE.
( Monarthrum mali Fitch).
In the genus Monarthrum the sexes are alike, and the males
assist the females in forming new colonies. Mr. Hubbard writes :
"The young are raised in separate pits or cradles, which they
never leave until they reach the adult stage. The galleries, con-
BARK-BEETLES; ENGRAVER-BEETLES.
228
structed by the female beetles, extend rather deeply into the wood,
with their branches mostly in a horizontal plane (Fig. 236).
"The mother beetle deposits her eggs singly in circular pits
which she excavates in the gallery in two opposite series, paral-
lel with the grain of the wood. The eggs are loosely packed in
the pits with chips and material taken from the fungus bed, which
she has previously prepared in the vicinity, and on which the am-
brosia has begun to grow.
Fig. 236. — Burrows of Monarthrum mail, Fitch. After Division of Entomology,
U. S. Department of Agriculture.
"The young larvae, as soon as they hatch, eat the fungus
from the chips, and eject the refuse from their cradles. At first
they lie curled up in the pit made by the mother, but as they grow
larger they deepen their cradles with their own jaws, until, at
full growth they slightly exceed the length of the larva when
fully extended. The larvae swallow the wood which they exca-
vate, but do not digest it. It passes through the intestines un
changed in cellular texture, but cemented into pellets by the ex-
crement, and is stained a yellowish color. The pellets of excre-
ment are not allowed to accumulate in their cradles, but are fre-
quently ejected by them, and are removed and cast out of the
mouth of the boring by the mother beetle. A portion of the ex-
crement is evidently utilized to form the fungus garden bed. The
224
BARK-BEETLES; ENGRAVER-BEETLES.
mother beetle is constantly in attendance upon her young during
the period of their development, and guards them with jealous
care.
"The mouth of each cradle is closed with a plug of the food
fungus, and as fast as this is consumed it is renewed with fresh
material. The larva; from time to time perforate this plug and
clean out their cells, pushing out the pellets of excrement through
the opening. This debris is promptly removed by the mother,
and the opening again sealed by ambrosia. The young transform
to perfect beetles before leaving their cradles and emerging into
the galleries.
Fig. 237. — Ambrosia of Corthvlus punctatissimus, Zimro.; a, detached bumb-bell
shaped pairs of cells, greatly enlarged. After Division of Entomology, V. S. Depart-
ment of Agriculture.
"The Ambrosia of Monarthrum (Fig. 237), is moniliform,
and resembles a mass of pearly beads. In its incipient stages a
formative stem is seen which has short joints that become globular
conidia and break apart. Short chains of cells, sometimes show-
ing branches, may often be separated from the mass. The base of
the fungus mass is stained with a tinge of green, but the stain
in the wood is almost black.*
"Two species, M. fasciatum Say, (Fig. 238), and M. mali
Fitch (Fig. 239), are confined to the Atlantic forests, and range
in latitude from Lake Superior to Florida. They have identical
*By mistake the ambrosia of another closely related beetle has been illustrated.
BARK-BEETLES ; ENGRAVER-BEETLES.
225
habits, and feed upon the same fungus. They are commonly as-
sociated in the same tree-trunk, and not seldom occupy galleries
having a common entrance hole. Both species are known to at-
tack wine casks, but they probably breed only in dying trees."
The trees attacked include oak, hickory, beech, maple, aspen,
apple and orange, and the list might be extended to include other
hardwood timber.
According to Fitch the insects sometimes attack young and
thrifty trees, which, when badly affected, are apt to suddenly
wither soon after putting forth their leaves, as if scorched by
fire; the bark becomes loosened from the wood, and soon after-
wards these small beetles appear crawling through minute per-
forations, like large pin-holes, in the bark,
Fig. 238. — Monarthrum fasciatum,
Say. After Division of Entomology ,
U. S. Department of Agriculture.
Fig. 239. — Monarthrum mail, Fitch.
After Division of Entomology, U. S.
Department of Agriculture.
From the above description by Mr. Hubbard it is seen that such
•beetles are genuine gardeners, since they do not consume wood,
but minute and juicy fungi propagated on the walls of their gal-
leries. All the growing parts of the fungus are extremely succu-
lent and tender, but remain in that condition only when contin-
ually cropped ; if allowed to go to seed it is no longer useful as
food. Mr. Hubbard also states that when their galleries are dis-
turbed and opened to day-light, the adult beetles genera 1 / y fall
to eating their ambrosia as rapidly as possible. Like othei social
226
BARK-BEETLES; ENGRAVER-BEETLES.
insects they show their concern at the threatened loss of their
most precious possession by trying to save it, just as bees, when
alarmed, fill themselves with honey.
As far as remedies are concerned, it is evident that any
method by which the entrances of their galleries in the bark can
be closed, will effectually put an end to the progress of their col-
onies, and perhaps the best means to do so is by coating the trunks
with dendrolene or "ranpenleim." Valuable fruit-trees, which
have suffered from fire or frost, can not be protected in this man-
ner, as the buds, which must be allowed to grow on the trunks,
would be injured or destroyed. In such cases it is best to plug
the holes with a piece of wire, which is inserted as far as it will
go and then cut off.
THE PEAR-BLIGHT BEETLE.
(Xyleborus pyri Peck).
During ^he heat of midsummer the twigs of the pear-tree
sometimes become suddenly blighted, the leaves and fruit wither,
and a discoloration of the bark takes place, followed by the speedy
death of the affected part. This trouble is not caused by the well
known fire-blight, which is a disease and is of a totally different
character, and is entirely independent of any insect. The injuries
Fig. 240. — Gallery of Xyleborus xylographus. Say; in hickory; a, b, death,
chambers. After Division of Entomology, U. S. Department of Agriculture.
BARK-BEETLES; ENGRAVER-BEETLES.
227
.are not confined wholly to the pear, but the same insect occurs also
on the apple, the plum, and the apricot.
According to Hubbard the members of this genus of beetles
also exist upon ambrosia, which is grown by the females for the
purpose of feeding the young, as has already been described.
Each species of beetle grows its own kind of ambrosia, and
the galleries made are of a different character, as may be seen in
the case of X. xylographus Say, illustrated in Fig. 240, where
the young are assembled in a large brood chamber, constructed
at the end of a gallery which penetrates deeply into the heart of
the tree, or remains in the sap-wood, according to the amount of
moisture in the trunk. The chamber is somewhat leaf-shaped,
and stands vertically on edge, parallel with the grains of the wood.
Fig. 241. — Ambrosia of Xyleborus xylographvs, Say.
tnology, U. S. Department of Agriculture.
After Division of Bnto-
The space between the walls is not much greater than the thick-
ness of the bodies of the adult beetles. The larvae of all ages are
able to cling to the vertical walls, and to progress over them by
an adaptation of the end of the body, which aids them in advanc-
ing. The entire surface of the walls in the brood chamber is
plastered over with ambrosia fungus, a representation of which is
given in Fig. 241. It consists of short, erect stems, terminating
228
BARK-BEETLES ; ENGRAVER-BEETLES.
in spherical conidia. The freshly grown fungus is colorless as
crystal, but it is usually more or less stained with greenish-yellow,
and sometimes looks like a coating of sublimed sulphur. The
brood chamber is at times packed with eggs, larvae, pupae and
adults, in all stages of maturity. The larvae aid in extending the
brood chamber. They swallow the wood which they remove with
their jaws, and in passing through their bodies it becomes stained
a mustard-yellow color. Great quantities of this excrement are
ejected from the openings of the colony, but a portion is retained
and plastered on the walls, where it serves as a bed upon which a
new crop of the fungus springs up. In populous colonies it is not
unusual to find the remains of individuals who have died packed
away in a deep recess of the brood chamber, carefully enclosed
Fig. 24-2. — Xvleborus xylographus, Say; female and male. After Division of
Entomology, U". S. Department of Agriculture.
with a wall of chips. At a in Fig. 240 such a catacomb is shown,
which was found to contain the mutilated bodies of a dozen or
more larvae and immature imagos, together with the fragments
of a predatory beetle, Colidium lincola Say. This tomb bears tes-
timony to a sanguinary conflict in which victory crowned the
efforts of the ambrosia beetles. The bodies of the slain, both
friend and foe, have been consigned to the same sepulchre. In
the same figure, at b, a short branch of the gallery is shown con-
taining the lifeless body of the mother of the colony, who appears
to have constructed her own tomb, and to have crawled into it as
she neared her end. The mouth of this tomb has also been sealed
BARK-BEETLES; ENGRAVER-BEETLES. 229
up by the survivors. Both male and female of Xylcborus xylo-
graphus Say are shown in Fig. 242.
A number of very minute beetles, belonging to the genera
Hypothenemus, and Pityophthorus, mine under the bark of the
apple, walnut, hickory, chestnut, and others. None are very de-
structive, however, as they are usually found in dead or dying
twigs, and none of them have such interesting habits as the am-
brosia-beetles, since their food consists of wood and not of fun-
gus grown by the mothers.
THE FRUIT BARK-BEETLE.
(Scoyltus rugulosus Ratz.).
This beetle, not yet found in Minnesota, but uncomfortably
near it, needs a description, so that fruit-growers may recognize
this pest in time to combat it successfully. Prof. Smith gives a
full account of it in his text-book already mentioned, which is
here quoted :
"Scolytus rugulosus, the 'fruit-bark beetle,' is, perhaps, the
best known, and certainly the most important economically, at-
tacking deciduous forest trees of almost all kinds. The black
parent beetles appear in early spring, and bore little round holes
through the bark to the sap-wood. They then make a central
burrow, on each side of which little notches are made to receive
the soft white eggs. The larva; hatch very soon, and at once be-
gin to make little burrows of their own, diverging as they move
from the parent channel, and gradually enlarging them as they
increase in size. When full grown they form a slightly enlarged
chamber, in which they pupate, and when they transform to little
beetles make their way out through little round holes in the bark.
The whole period of development does not exceed a month, and
there may be several broods during' the summer from the same
tree, the numerous galleries eventually girdling and killing it.
"These insects rarely attack sound and healthy trees, and this
is a peculiarity of bark-beetles in general, though there are many
-exceptions. But just as soon as a tree becomes a little weakened
230
BARK-BEETLES; ENGRAVER-BEETLES.
Fig. 243. — Sco/.i tus rugulosus, Ratz.; a, adult; b, same in profile; c, pupa; <T..
larva. After Division of Entomology, U. S. Department tf Agriculture.
through injury or from starvation, these little creatures attack it r
and then its doom is sealed, unless vigorous measures are taken
at once. Peach trees are especially susceptible to injury, and
the gummy oozing from the little holes seems to weaken them
so rapidly that they succumb in a short time.
"It is good practice to keep orchard trees in the best possible
health and vigor at all times to enable them to resist naturally
Fig. 244. — Work of Scolytus rugulosus in twig of apple; and to the right, gal~
leries under bark; a, a, main galleries; b, b, larval galleries; c, c, pupal cells. After
Division of Entomology, U. S. Department of Agriculture.
BARK-BEETLES; ENGRAVER-BEETLES.
231
the attacks of these insects, but if one does become seriously in-
fested it should be at once cut out and burned. It is certain to
die in a short time, and it is a constant menace to surrounding
trees from the abundance of specimens which will be produced,
ready to attack others at the least sign of weakness. Where a
slight infestation is noticed on a tolerably healthy tree, it should
be closely examined to ascertain the original source of weakness,
and when this is removed the tree should be stimulated by means
of appropriate fertilizers, and the trunk kept covered by white-
wash to which Paris-green has been added. Strong whale-oil
soap-suds will answer the same purpose, and a litt'e crude carbolic
acid will add to its effectiveness. In all cases the application
should be thorough, and should be kept intact until the tree has
fully recovered and is able to take care of itself. The beetle is
shown in Fig. 243, and its burrows in Fig. 244."
The same line of treatment is adapted to other bark-beetles,
varied according to the differences in life-history.
THE HICKORV-P.ARK BEETLE.
(Scolytus ^.-spiiiosus Say).
This beetle confines its work to all kinds of hickory, in which
it makes long and slender tracks under the bark, which radiate
from a primary, larger and vertical chamber (Fig. 235). The
beetle (Fig. 245), is entirely black, or black with brown wing-
covers ; the head above is flat, concave towards the tip ; the thorax
Fig. 245. — Scolytus 4. spinosus, Say.
Fig. 246. — Dendroctonus frontalis,
Zimm- After Division of Entomology,
U. S. Department of Agriculture.
232 BARK-BEETLES; ENGRAVER-BEETLES
is a little longer than wide, narrower in front; the wing-covers
have about ten striae, confused at the sides, but regular ahove,
composed of small, deep, approximate punctures, the spaces be-
tween the stria; having a single row of minute, almost obsolete
punctures. The male has the excavated venter armed with two
long and two shorter spines, and the rim upon the ventral and
posterior segments is also armed with a very stout, short and
broad projection ; all of which are absent in the female. The en-
tire head is hidden by long and fox-colored hair, more dense in
the male than in the female.
Both sexes bore into the tree, the male for food, the female
for the purpose of laying eggs. In doing so they bore in a slant-
ing upward direction, both in the trunk and branches. The en-
trance is usually made in the axil of a bud or leaf, which causes
the twig to die, and the leaves to wither and drop. Mr. Bryant,
in describing the actions of the female, says, that in depositing
the eggs she confines herself to the trunk and larger limbs, plac-
ing her eggs on each side of a vertical chamber. Here she dies,
and her remains may be found long after her progeny have com-
menced to make their cylindrical tunnels, at first transverse and
diverging, but afterwards lengthwise along the bark, always
crowding the widening burrows with their powdery excrement,
which is of the same color as the bark. The full grown larva
is soft, yellowish, and without traces of legs, with the head slight-
ly darker with brown jaws. It remains torpid during the winter,
transforming to a pupa towards the end of the following May.
The pupa, also shown, is smooth and unarmed, not showing any
sexual differences. The beetles issue through holes made direct
from the sap-wood, and a badly infested tree looks as though it
had been peppered with No. 8 shot.
A large number of other similar beetles are also destructive
to our trees. A small hickory-bark beetle, (Chramesus icoriae
Lee), is not alone found in the food expressed by its specific
name, but also in the buds of oak, which are greatly enlarged by
the irritation produced by its presence.
Pine trees suffer greatly from insects belonging to the genera
BARK-BEETLES ; ENGRAVER-BEETLES.
233
Tomicus, Dendroctonus, Hylastes, and others; and such beetles
have to be constantly fought in well regulated pine forests to pre-
vent heavy losses. Dendroctonus frontalis is illustrated (Fig.
246), to show the form of such beetles ; and a still larger one, very
common in our pine forests, the D. terebrans Oliv., in Fig. 247.
There is still another beetle belonging to this family that
^deserves at least passing notice, as it may find its way to our
Fig. 2-47. — Dendroctonus terebrans,
Oliv. After Division of Ento-
mology, U. S. Department of Agri-
culture.
Fig. 248. — Hylesiaus trifolii, Muell.
After Division of Entomology, U. S.
Department of Agriculture,
state in the future. It has the rather abnormal habit of making
burrows in the roots of clover and allied plants, and it has be-
come a very serious pest in the Eastern States into which it
found its way from Europe. A large proportion of the two
year old clover plants are destroyed by this insect which can be
found in all stages in such snug quarters during the winter
months. The clover-root Borer (Hylesinus trifolii Muell.), is il-
lustrated in Fig. 248.
234
FUNGUS-BEETLES.
FAMILY ANTHRIBIDAE.
(Fungus beetles).
There is still another family of beetles closely related to the-
snout-beetles and bark-beetles. Some of them are found in large
numbers upon dead toad-stools ; others occur among- the fungi
causing certain diseases of the cereals and other plants ; and still
others are known to be elsewhere decidedly injurious to cultivated-
plants. To show how such beetles look the illustration of Anthri-
Fig. 2 t9. — Anthribus cornutus, Say. After Marlatt.
bus cornutus Say (Fig. 249), has been reproduced from the First
Annual Report of the Kansas Experiment Station. This insect
was found in large numbers and in all stages associated in dead
tamarix stems with the injurious apple-twig borer {Amphicerus
bicaudatus Say) described before.
It will be seen from the pages of this report that the ORDER
of COLEOPTERA contains a large number of injurious insects,
and that it is worth while to inspect our fruit-producing plants
with great care from time to time to detect them, to apply reme-
dies as soon as possible, and not to wait until our enemies have
multiplied to such an extent as to make it questionable whether
we or the intruders are the masters of the situation.
INDEX.
Page.
Acorn- weevil 216
Adalia bipunctata Linn 35
Adephaga (Typical or True Beetles) 12, 14
Adimonia femoralis Melsh 152
Adoxus obscurus Linn 141
Agonoderus pallipes Fab 24
Agrilus bilineatus Webb 61
" Tuticollis Fab 58
" sinuatus 61
Agrijtus mancus Say 49
Alaus oculatus Linn 46
Allorhina nitida Linn 99
Amara obesa Say 23
Ambrosia Beetles 220
American Currant-borer 121
Ampeloglypter ater Lee 212^
Sesostris Lee 212
Amphicerus bicaudatus Say 69, 234
Anametis grisea Horn 183
Anomola binotata Gjll 91
" lucicola Fab 90
" marginata Fab 91, 92
" minuta Burm 91
Anthonomus era tsegi Walsh 20O
decipiens Lee 200
" grandis 200
profundis Lee 200
quadngibbus Say 196
signatus Say 199
suturalis Say 199
Anthrenus scrophuliariae Linn 40
Anthribidee 234
Anthribus cornutus Say 234
Apion species 189
Aphodius granarius Linn 78
fossor Linn 78
Aphonus tridentatus Say 96
236 INDEX.
Page.
Apple Bark-Beetle 222
" Cureulio 196
" Lepturges 125
" -smellers 26
" -tree Flea-beetle 160
" -tree Pruner 115
" -twig-borer 69
Aramiges Fallen Horn 186
Asparagus-beetle 135
Balaninus caryatripes Boh 215
rectus Say 216
Bark-beetles 13, 178, 220
Bark-slippers 112
Bassareus spec 138
Bean- weevil 171
Beautiful Hickory-borer 123
Belted ". " 112
Beetles — Anatomy of. 1
" Carnivorous '. 12
" " Water '. 13
" Classification of. 12
i( Definition of term 1
Snout 5
True 1
Bill-bugs 13, 217
Blackberry-borer — Red-necked 58
Blaps mortisaga Linn 174
Blepharida rhois Forst 154
Blister-beetles 13, 176
Bockkaefer 106
Boletotherus bifurcus Fab 175
Bombarding-beetles 21
Bostrychus species 71
Brachiaus species 21
Br aeon charus Riley 55
Brenthidse 216
Brenthus anchorago Linn 216
Broad-necked Prionus 109
Broad snouted Beetles 13
Brown Parandra 107
Bruchidx 170
Bruchus pisi Linn 171
" rufimanus Sch 171
Buprestidse 50
Burving-beetles 13, 29
By turns unicolor Say 41
INDEX. 237
Page.
Cabbage Curculio 211
Caddies 43
Ca'andra granaria Linn 219
" oriza Linn 219
Calandridse 217
Calosoma calidum Fab 20
" frigidum Kirby 20
" scrutator Fab 19
Cantharis Nuttal Say 178
Canthon lasvis Drury 76
Carabidas 17
Carrion-beetles 29
Carnivorous-beetles 12, 14
Carnivorous Water-beetles 13, 24
Carpet-beetles 13, 39
Carphophilus brachypterus Say 42
hemipterus Linn 42
Cassida bicolor Fab 169
" bivittata Say 170
Caterpillar-hunter 19, 20
Cerambycidse 106, 107
Ceramhyciaae 108
Cercopeus chrysorhceus Say 184
Chalcodermus species 208
Chalcophora virginiensis Drury 52
Chalepus trachypygus Burm 96
Chauliognathus americanus Forst 205
Checkered-beetles 64
Chelimorpha argus Licht 170
Chestnut-weevil 215
Chilocorus bivulnerus Muls 35
Chion cinctus Drury 112
Chlamys plicata Oliv 138
Chramesus icoriae Lee 232
Chrysobothris femorata Fab 53
Chrysochus auratus Fab 141
Chrysomela exclamationis Fab 147
" lunata Fab 148
Chrysomelidse 133
Cicindelidse 14
Cigarette-beetles 67, 68
Clavicomia (Club-horns) 13, 27
Claviger species 30
Cleridse 64
Click-beetles; Clicking-beetles 13, 45
Clivina impressifrons Lee 21
238 INDEX.
Page.
Cloaked Chr^vsomela 154
Clover leaf Beetle 190
Clover-root Borer 233
Club-horns 13, 27
Coccinellidse 33
Coccotorus prunicida Walsh 196
" scutellaris Lee 193
Colaspis hrunnea Fab 142
Coleoptera— Anatomy of. 1
" Classification of 12
" Definition of term 1
" Typical or True 12, 14
Colidium lineola Say 228
Colorado Potato-beetle 146
Common Lightning-bug 63
Copris Carolina Linn 77
Cop'ocycla clavata Fab 169
" guttata Oliv 169
Conotrachelus cratasgi Walsh 207
" elegans Say 207
" fissunguis Lee 208
" juglandis Lee 207
naso Lee 207
" nenuphar Hbst 201
" posticatus Say 207
Corn Bill-bug 218
Corn-root Diabrotica : 151
Corn Silvanus 37
Coscinoptera dominicana Fab 136
Cotalpa lanigera Linn 94
Cranberry Curculio 199
Craponius imequalis Say 210
Cremastochilus species 104
Crepidodera Helxines Linn 163
" rufipes Linn 163
Crioceris asparagilArm 135
Cryptocephalus species 138
Cryptohypnus bicolor Esch 48
Cryptus grallator Say 55
Cucujidse 37
Cucumber-beetle— Striped '. 150
Flea-beetle 163
Curculionidee 186
Currant-borer— American 121
Cyllene decorus Oliv 118
" pictus Drury 118
INDEX. 239
Page.
■Cyllene robinix Forst 113
Darkling-beetles 172
Death-watch 67, 68
Dendroctonus frontalis Zimm 233
" terebrans Oliv..., 233
Dermestes lardarius Linn 40
Dermestida? 39
Desmocerus palliatus Forst 120
Diahrotica duodecim-punctata Oliv 151
" longicornis Say 151
vittata Fab 150
Dichelonycha elongata Fab 79
subvittata Lee 79
Dicerca divaricata Say 52
Different Joints {Heteromera) 13 ( 171
Disonycha xanthomelasna Dalm I57
Divaricated Euprestis 52
Dominican Case-bearer 136
Donacia species , 134
Dor-beetles 79
Doryphora 10-liaeata Say 146
Drasteria elegans Fab 49
Dynastes tityrus Linn 98
Dytisc'dae 24
Echocerus maxillosus Fab 173
Elaphidion inerme Newm 117
" parallelum Newm 113
" villosum Fab 115
Elaterida? 45
Elderberry-beetle "120
Elm-leaf Beetle „ 154
Endomychidse 37
Engraver-beetles 220
Epicserus imbricatus Say 182
Epicauta pennsylvanica DeG 177
Epilachna borealis Fab 36
Epitrix cucumeris Harr 163
" fascula Crotch 163
" parvula Fab 164
Erotylidx 37
Euphoria inda Linn 101
" melancholic a Gory 103
Eupsalis minuta Drury 216
Eyed Elater 46
Fidia longipes Mels 138
" viticida Walsh 139
240 INDEX.
Page.
Fiery Hunter 20'
Fig-eater 99-
Fire-flies 13, 50, 62
Flat-headed Apple-borer 53
" " Borers 50
Flea-beetle of Sumach 154
Flea-beetles 154
Flower- beetles 79, 99
" -chafers 13, 79
Fuller's Rose beetle 186
Fungus-beetles 234
Fruit Bark-beetle 229
Galeruca species 152
" xanthomeliena Schr 154
Gaurotes cyanipennis SaA^ .. 120
Genuine Snout-beetles 186
Glow-worm 62
Glyptoscelis crypticus Say 145
Goes debilis Lee 123
" oculatus Lee 123
" palchra Hald 123
" tigrinus DeG 123
Gold-bug 169
Goldsmith-beetles 79, 94
Gnorimus maculatus Knoch 105
Grain-weevils 217
Grape Curculio 210
Grape-vine Fidia 138
" Flea-beetle 157
" " " " — Lesser 159
" Gall-beetle 212
" " Phymatodes Ill
" -root Worm 139
Graphops pubescens Mels 142
Gray Anametis 183
Ground-beetles 13, 17
Gyrinidx 26
Haltica bimarginata Say 157
chalybea 111 157
" foliacea Lee 160
ignita 111 159
Ham-beetle — Red-legged 66
Hammer-heads 51
Harpalus herbivagus Say 23
" pennsylvanicus DeG 23, 205
Herbivorous Lamellicorns 78
INDEX. 241
Page.
Hermit Flower-beetles 104
Heteromera (Different Joints) 13, 171
Hickory-bark-beetle 231
" -borer -Beautiful 123
" " Common 123
Painted 118
Two-spotted 117
Hispidse 166, 167
Histeridse 41
Hoplia modesta Hald 79
Hydrophilidee 28
Hylastes species 233
Hylesinus triiolii Muell 233
Hylobius confusus Kby 191
Hylotrupes bajaJus Linn 112
Hypothenemus species 229
Imbricated Snout-beetle 182
Indian Cetoma 101
Ips fasciatus Oliv 43
Isomera (Similar Joints) 12, 14
Tthycerus noveboracensis Forst 187
June-bugs 79
Knotty Horn 120
Lace-wings Flies 206
Lachnosterna fusca Froehl 86
" rugosa Melsh 88
" tristis Fab 88
Lachnosterna species 83
Lady-bugs 13, 33
Lxmophlseus fasciatus Nels 38
Lamellicornia (Leaf-horns) 13, 72, 75
Laminise 10S, 120
Lampyridse 62
Languria Mozardi Lat ~ 37
Larder-beetles 39
Lasioderma serricorne Fab 68
Leaf-chafers 78
" " —Shining 90
Leaf-horns {Lamellicornia) 13, 72, 75
Leaf-feeding Beetles 13, 106, 133
Leaf-rollers 13
" -rolling Snout-beetles 180
Lebia grandis Hentz 23
Lema trilineata Oliv 136
Leptostylus aculifer Say 124
macula Say 124
242 INDEX.
Page.
Lepturges facetus Say 125
Ligyrus relictus Say 97
" rugiceps Lee 97
Light-loving Anomala 90
Lightning-bug — Common 63
Lina sciipta Fab 149
" tremulse Fab 149
Liopus species 124
Little Turk 202
Lixus concavus Say 191
Long-horned Borers 13, 106 124
Long-horns 107
Lucanidse 72
Lucanus dama Thunb 73
" elaphus Fab..... 73
Lyctus species 71
Macrobasis unicolor Kirby 177
Macrodactylus subspinosus Fab 80
Madarus undulatus Boh 214
Magdalis aznescens Lee 192
armicollis Say 193
olyra Hbst 192
Malachiidse 66
Malachius marginicollis 67
May-beetle fungus 87
May-beetles 13, 79, 83
Meal-beetle 13, 172
Melancholy Cetonia 103
Melanotus communis Gyll 49
Meloe augusticollis Say 178
Meloidee 176
Metallic Wood-borers 50
Molorchus bimaculatus Say 117
Monarthrum fasciatum Saj- : 224
mali Fitch 222
Monohammus confusor Kirby 122
Mordclla 8-punctata Fab 175
Mordellidae 175
Museum Pest 4o
Necrophorus species 29
New York Weevil 187
Nitidulidx 42
Nodonota puncticollis Say 146
" tristis Oliv 145
Nut- weevils 13, 214
Oak-pruner 113
INDEX. 243
Page.
Oberea bimaculata Oliv 131
" flavipes Hald 131
Odontota dorsalis Thunb 167
inxqualis Web 167
nervosa Panz 167
" rubra Web 167
Oil-beet'es 13, 178
Oncideres cingulatus Say 126
Orsodacna atra Ahr 135
Osmoderma eremicola Knoch 104
" scabra Beauv 104
Otiorhynchidx 182
Otiorhynchus ovatus Linn 184
picipes Fab 185
sulcatus Fab 185
Pachybracbys species 138
Painted Hickory-borer 118
Pale-striped Flea-beetle 165
Parandra brunnea Fab 107
Parallel Elaphidion 115
Paria aterrima Oliv 142
" canella Fab 141
Pasimachus californicus Chd 21
Pea- weevil 171
Pear-blight Beetle 229
Pear-tree Blister-beetle 177
Peddlers 170
Pelidnota punctata Linn 93
Pentilia misella Lee 36
Photinus pyralis Linn ' 63
Phymatodes amcenus Say Ill
Phytonomus punctatus Fab 189
Pbytophaga (Plant-eaters) 13, 106
Phyllotreta rittataFa.b 166
Pinching-beetles 72
Pissodes affinis Rand 191
" strobi Peck 191
Pitchy-legged Otiorhynchus 184
Pityophthorus species 226
Plant-eaters (Phytophaga) 13, 100
Platycerus quercus Web 74
Plum Curculio 201
" Gouger 193
" Leaf-beetle 145
Pomphopcea xnea Say 177
Porizon conotracheli Ril 206
244 INDEX.
Page.
Potato-stalk Borer 211
Predaceons Water-beetles 24
Prioninte 108, 109
Prionus itnbricornis Linn 116
" laticolhs Drury 109
Pselaphidx '. 30
Psenoctrus super notatus Say 121
Psylliodes species 166
Ptinidse 67
Pyrophorus noctilucus 49
Quince Curculio 207
Raspberry Cane-borer 131
Fruit- worm 41
" Gouty-gall 58
Red-headed Systena 165
" -' e gg e d Ham-beetle 66
" -necked Blackberry-borer... 58
" -shouldered Sinoxylon 70
Rhinocerus-beetles 13, 79, 96, 98
Rhubarb-beetle 191
Rhynchites bicolor Fab 180
Rhynchitidx 1 79
Rhvnchophora 5, 13, 178
Rice-beetles 13
Rose-beetles 13, 32 79
" -bug 80
" -chafer 80
" -leaf- beetle 146
Rosy Hispa 167
Rough Flower-beetle 104
Round-headed Apple-tree Borer 128
" " Borers 106
Sacred Beetle 76
San Jose Scale 35
Sap-beetles 24
Saperda calcarata Say 131
" Candida Fab 126
" concolor Lee 131
" cretata Newm 131
" discoidea Fab 131
lateralis Fab 131
" obliqua Say 131
" puncticollis Say 131
tridentata Oliv 131
" vestida Say 131
Saw-horns < Serricornia) 13, 44
INDEX. 245
Page.
Saw-horned|Borers 13, 50
Sayer 122
Scarabxidse 75
Scavenger Lamellicorn Beetles 75
" Water-beetles 28
Scarred Snout-beetles 182
Scolytus quadrispiatsus Say 220, 231
" rugulosus Ratz 229
Scydmasnida? 30
Seed-beetles 13
Serica tricolor Say 83
" sericea 111 82
" respertina Gyll 83
Serricornia 13, 44
Shining Leaf-chafers 90
Shot-hole borers 220
Sigalphus curculionis Fitch 206
Silken Serica 80
Silpha species 30
Silphidas 29
Silvanus surinamensis Linn 37
Silver-bug 122
Similar Joints (Isomera) 12, 14
Smoxylon hasilare Say 70
Sitodrepa panicea Linn 68
Sitones species 187
Small Willow Flea-beetle 163
Snapping-beetles 13, 45
Snout-beetles 5, 13, 178
" " Genuine 186
Soldier-beetles 13, 62
" —Two-lined 64
Southern June-beetle 99
Spanish-flies 176
Sphenophorus costipennis Horn 217
" ochreus Lee 217
parvulus Gyll 185
Spring-beetles 45
Spotted Vine-chafer 93
Squash Lady-bug 36
Stag-beetles 13, 72, 73
Staphylinidae 32
Strangalia species 120
Strawberry Crown-borer 209
" Curculio 199
" Root-worms 141
246 INDEX.
Page.
Striped Cucumber-beetle 150
Sumach Flea-beetle 154
Systena frontalis Fab 165
" hudsonias Fab 165
" tseniata Say 165
Tachygonus Lecontei Gyll 209
Tad-poles 51
Telephorus bilineatus Say 64
Tenebrioides mauritanica Linn 43
Tenebrio molitor Linn 172
" obscurus Fab 173
Tenebrionidie 172
Three-lined Lema 136
Thricolepis simulator Horn 185
Tiger-beetles 13, 14
Tile-horned Prionus 110
Tomicus species 223
Tomicus typographus 222
Tortoise-beetles 168
Trichobaris 3-notata Say 211
Trichius species .".".. 105
Trichodes apivorus Germ 65
True Beetles 14
" Snout-beetles 13
Tumble-bugs 75
" -dungs 13
Twelve-spotted Diabrotica 151
Twice-stabbed Lady-bug 35
Twig-girdler 126
Two-lined Soldier-beetle 64
Two-spotted Anomala 91
" Hickory-borer 117
Lady-bug 35
Molorchus 117
Typhia inornata Say 85
Tyloderma xreum Say 209
foveolatum Say 209
fragarise Ril 209
Tylonotus himaculatus Hald 117
Typical Cerambycids 1 11
Typical or True-beetles 12, 14
Vedalia cardinalis 35
Vine-chafer — Spotted 93
Virginian Buprestis 52
Vim rulnus Ril 212
Walnut Curculio 207
INDEX.
247
Page.
13 24
Water-beetles— Carnivorous '
<< «' Predaceous
Scavenger ^
Wavy-striped Flea-beetle ■"J"' ^
Whirligigs 191
White Pine- weevil
Willow Flea-beetle— Small
Wire-worms 226
Xyleborus pyri Peck " 22/ _
xylographus Say
Zopherus Haldemani Salle
248
"Look Out!'
PLATE I.
Fig. 108. — Euphoria inda in apple.
Fig. 181. — Zopherus Haldemani Salle.
After Sturm.
Fig. 48.— Carpophilus bracbypterus Say,
in flowers of apple
Figs. 87 and 88. —A, Dichelonychaelongata Fab.;
B. D. subvittata Lee; C. Serica tricolor Say;
P, S. re.spertinaGy\\ t ; E,Hoplia modesta Hald.
PLATE II
*fe
Fig. 151. — Doryphorn 10-Uneata Say., and Blister-beetles. Original.
Fig. H)2.-/iname(/'s errisea Horn.
Fig. 182.— Boletotherus hitur-
cus Pat).; male and temale.
PLATB III.
Fig. 213. — Conotrachelns nenuphar Hbst. Original.
Fig. 223. — Tachygonus Lecontei Gyll.
After Sturm.
Fijr. 101. — Cotalp lani-
gcra Linn. After Harris.
PLATE IV.
Fig. 125. — Gaurotes cy-
anipennis Say.
I ' 't r
Fig. 136. — Oberea bimaculata Oliv.; adult, larva and
castings. After Webster.
Fig. 114. — Parandra
brunnea Fab.
Fig. 136. — Burrow of Oberea bimaculata Oliv.
Fig. 122. — Cyllene pictus Drury.
After Webster.
Fig. 123.— Cyllene obiaise Forst.
After Websterr.
PLATE V.
m
Fig. 207 .—Coccotorus scutellaris Lee. Original.
Fig. 121. — Tylonotus bi-
tnaculaLus Hald.
Fig. 81.— Canthon laevis Drury; adults, ball and egg.
PLATE VI.
Fig. 196.— Ith vcerus noveboracensis Forst eat-
ing bark and leaves of plum.
m S-)?4-—Desmocerus Fi S 1 '^.-Goespv]chra
palhatvs horst. Hald.
Fig-. 113.— Trichius affinis Gorr.
Fig. 116.— Prionus still in burrow.
Fig. 164. Haltica ignita 111.; larva at work.
QL
Minnesota. State Entomo-
475
logist.
M6M5
Fifth annual report of
1
Ent.
the entomologist of the
State Experiment Station
475
M6M5 Minnesota. State Fntcrialogist
Ent. Fifth annual report of the
entomologist of the State Ex-
periment Station
