Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1874-07-11
[Fronl he Charlottesville JegsrsOnia".l
History cfthe Colorado Potato Beetle

As the Colorado potato beetle has appeared
in force, this summer. in some potato patches
10 this county. propose brief sketch OF Its
history for the readers Of the Jefersoaidn
Originally the home Of this insect was e1-
clusivcly in the R,cly Mountains. where it fed
on a species of wild potato, lSolGHmn rostra-
tnm, Dual. plant ouly found in that re-
giou. With the cultivation Of the potato in
western Kapsas and Colorado i, forsook lis ma
tive food plant. (which is insipid and somewhat
ike our horse nettlel. aud adopted the potato.
They also feed upon the tomato aud egg
plant, which belong to the same family lSolan-
acGal as the potato. They prefer the egg
plant to the potato. and the latter to the to-
msto.
Since 1853 this insect has travelled east from
potato patch to potato patch. at the rate of 60
or 20 miles year. The scientific name Of this
beetle is Doryphora 10 liaeata Say, and it
should not be coufoundcd with another very
similar in appearance, called by scientists Do
ryphora jl!ncta Gernw. The latter feed ex-
clusively upon the horse nelte lSolaHam Car
oliaenss Linn, and never touch the potato
There are three broods some say five, Of the
Colorado potato beetle ia = season, but as the
females continue laying their ova for 90 days
or more, we have the worms Of all sizes during
the summer. The first brood was hatched
here about the 7lh Of June, from eggs laid by
beetles that passed the winter 10 the pupa
state. in the ground. The different summer
broods require about tbirly-sx days TO obtain
perfection from tie egg. The larsa Of the last
brood remain in the ground all winter aud
emerge as perfect beetles in the spring 10 re-
new their deprelatious.
Each female deposits 700 or 600 eggs in
sroups Of rs to 80 on the under side Of the
leaves; they are Of light yellow color. The
larya are Of a cream color, tingel with veuiiiau
red. and have two rows Of black spots on the
sides; the head aud feet are black The lar
va usually remain on the under sile OF the
leaves during the day, bu, have noticed them
cpngregatiug in the crown Of the plant. among
the young and tender leaves. They chiefly
ujure the potato plant in their lGrva state, but
TO keep them within bounds e ceaseless war
must be waRed ON the egg, larva and beetle.
lu some parts Of the West their ravages
threatened to exteru.ineie the potato, aud it
was only by continued aud daily vigilance
that crop could be raised All applications
to tie potato vines have failed to protect them
from the larva, except dustiue them with Paris
green mixed with -four oFo;her light powder,
aud applying it after rain or before the dew
is of in the morning. 4. Paris green Is al
arseuiatee copperan ueyy poisonous, ilshould
be handled with great care, as persons have
died from uhaiing ,ho dust when applying it
as remedy loT the potato beetle. /, is best
applied by means Of hair sieve attached 10
long handle, the operator standing 10 wind
ward and protecting the mouth and nose by
wetled sponge to avoid iubaling tbs dust; cuts
aud sores on the hands should also be protect
cd. Hand picking in The three stages Of egg,
larva and beetle is tedious but certain reme-
dy, especially if the resulting collections are
subjected to boiling water. Winter ploushing
Of the old patch might do some good by dis
turbng the fsll brood. Poultry, ills said, will
not eat the beetles, but some farmers have
been benefited by turning Cocks Of young tur-
keys into tie potato patch.
They have numerous enemies among insects.
but 80 far they are too prolific to be seusibly
diminished by these aids As was remarked
10y a western farmer Eternal vigilance only
was the price Of potato crop aud unless this
rule is universally adopted a county may soon
ue overrun by the negligence or carelessuess ol
one or two sloyenly farmers
". D. HARTMAN.
" TTo.l NFoIo T7-o,-.l.s,,f, Doo,,4.r,,I