The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-09

steadily moving eastward for a number OF years,
has at length reached the seaboard, aud, with its
advent into the eastern aud more densely popu-
lated section or the country. where everything
connected with its history Is comparatively new
and its habits and the means OF prevention I'M
known, there is naturally much apprehension felt
SIS to the results OF It's INVASION and at this tme
when the subject Is attracting much attention,
q brief outline OF the principal iacts connected
with its natural history and it's progress from west
TO east, together with the record OF Fast expert
menT must prove interesting TO the general
reader and most useful to the agrlculturist.
EARLY HISTORY.
over fifty years ago this insect was discovered
IN the West by one or the early entomologists,
Thomas Say when on an exploring expedition to
the Rocky Mountains under Major Long, and was
described and named by him. 1t is supposed to
have lived upon the wild pricky soanum, SO COM
mon to tnat region-and upon which have myself
found IL IN Colorado--and seemed merely 10 hold
Its place in nature, Tor do not again near or It
TILL thirtyhye or forty years later, alter the culti
walton OF the potato mad extended TO the base OF
the Rocky Mountains. Here a food
plant, ana one on which It seemed TO thrive, and
1t at once commenced Its march 10 the East,
slowly at rirst, rs the potato fields were few and
far between, but steadily until at last IL began
attract attention as new ana dangerous enemy
year 1859, two years later spreading over Iowa and
about the year 1865 reaching the Missis ippi. Ten
years later 1T strikes the Atlantic coast, after
sweeping over the states OF Wisconsin, Michigan,
Illinois, Indiana, ONO, Kentucky, West Virginia,
Pennsyvania, New York, New Jersey, Delaware,
Maryland. the District of Columbia and the north
ern portion or Virginia, though its greatest raw
ages have been almost wholly confined to the
states north OF Mason and Dixon's line. II has
also overrun portions OF Canada.
IT'S PROGRESS IN TIE EAST.
In 1872 It made IT'S appearance IN two counties
OF Pennsylvania, though rne damage was slight.
In July, 1873 II had appeared III four counties OF
New YorK-viz.. Wyoming. Niagara, Allegheny
ana Chautauqua-doing considerable damage
In the last named. The presence OF the pest
was also reported at this time IN thirteen OF
the western counties OF PennsYlvania and In seven
counties OF West Virginia. while at the close OF the
season they mad made even greater progress
eastward. In August OF this year Qs73l they had
made their appearance in tue District OF Column
bia. lew specimens having been collected in q
garden In the eastern part OF the city OF ASKING
ton, and later they were reported IN the vicinity
OF Baltimore. Nd. We 1rst hear OF them In New
Jersey, through published reports, in 1874. having
made their appearance IN Burlington, later in the
summer spreading 10 other counties. They had
also invaded Delaware and actually overrun
Pennsylvania, having made their appearance In
nearly all the eastern counties OF the State.
Seven counties OF Maryland reported their pres
ence aud lew counties In Virginia. In New YORK
they had extended half way across the state,
according &C summer returns from correspondents
The writer was informed recently that speci-
mems had been taken In the fail OF last year on
Long lsland, which would go TO prove that they
had reached the Atlantic In 1874. But the reports
nf In ri va ma All M hae
their travels eastward must cease In the States or
New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland as they have
been seen at various points along the coast line.
the following extracts from correspondence lately
received may prove interesting
BURLINGTON MI
The Colorado beetle Is pretty generally dlssem-
mated. In some nelos they are kept down thus
far by hand picking; Ia others are 100 numerous
for such treatment.
Colorado potato beetles are very plenty. the
larvg are just matching.
Great numbers or the Colorado potato beetle
were seen at ocean Beach, n. J., last week. In
der the orilt along the seasnore hundreds OF them
were turned up that had evidently been washed
up BY the ocean.
Potato beetle In full force.
FRAYKLrT, Pa
colorado potato beetle very plenty here. Tney
CCLPKPPRR Va
Tne Colorado potato beetle has appeared ia
AZ this writing the prospect Is the beetle Will
prevail
Tue Colorado beetle has appeared IN numbers
on early potatoes. Farmers arc doubling the ex-
peueney Of planting fun crop.
ALARM IN EUROPE.
Last year number Of the European govern-
ments, fearing the Introduction or the pest into
the Old World. took the matter under consdera-
ton, and Ia several Instances laws we're enacted
prohibiting the importation or American p0ta-
toes; but any one acquainted with the habits or
the insect Will see the oolishness oil such proceed.
ing, rather the Ignorance displayed BY 1t, as at
no period OF It's existence mas the insect aught TO
do with the tuDer, either In the egg, larva or
beetle state. Tnere Is danger, however, from the
shipping, the insects are liable, when they be-
come very numerous ABOUT our seaport cities, to
md their way upon outward-Dound vessels, and
single pair "taklng passagen on one OF our fast
sailing steamers might be SUFFICIENT to
fairly establish the pest in Great Brit.
ain and. eventually, the Continent or
Europe Great caution should therefore be
exercised by ship masters. and Il would
indeed be well TO have preserved specimens or
even drawings OF the beetle placed Ia = consplcu-
Gus position on every ship that leaves our ports
so that the danger OF their crossing the ocean
might be lessened. as the sailors could be in
slructed to keep on the lookout for them.
IT'S DESCRIPTION AND NATURAL HISTORY
'The Colorado potato beetle,~ vs. IL Is now al
most universally called kDorVphora dscen-lineatd,
or the sten-lined spearman'D, beiorgs 10 tue
family OF lea-eatlnG beetles fc1VVso5nelidgj, and
is one Of the largest or the group. Tue perfect
insect measures ABOUT half inch in length IS OF
q thick oval shape aud OF yellowisn cream color,
with ten darK.brown or olackisn lines running
lengtnwise down the wing covers. The mead and
thorax, or middle portion OF the body. are OF an
orange-orown color, spotted or marked with
black It has, In addition TO the wing covers,
PAIR of pink wings, which lie folded beneath and
hidden except when the insect Is IN iignt.
The accompanying illustration from the pencil
OF Professor Glover win give an idea Of the form
OF this insect. l5ee agure !, beetle and larvel