The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-11
THE POTATO BUG.
PARASITES THAT PREY UPON THE GREAT
ENEMY TO TOMATOES AND POTATOES.


ENEMY TO TOMATOES AND POTATOES.
WASHINGTON, June O. 1878.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
Referring 10 my communication OF the 7th inst,
there are about twenty parasites that prey upon
these destructive insects ana serve to keep them
from becoming even more destructive than they
really are The lady bugs. "lady birds, y belong
ing TO the family cocctneutdG, do inestimable good
BY destroying the beetle while IN the egg state, as
there are no less than six species actively en-
gagged In this good work. Hippoddmtd mdcsldta
is small pink species, marked on the back with
ten black spots II. conuergens is another small
species, which has done much good In checking
the ravages OF the beetle; It's larva-for these
lady birds attack the eggs in both stages
ia blush. marked with orange and black. The
beetle has twelve fine dots or markings on the
back. II. Is FunctatG, is one OF the largest OF
our lady birds IL Is cream colored, with tinge
OF chocolate, and is marked with fifteen spots, as
the name implies. The thorax Is also cream col
ored marked with black. the larva is black
and Is armed with SIX rows OF spnes. H.
0lactalis is marked on each wing cover, near the
end OF the abdomen, with three black spots, color
brick red. CocctneuG nlua,da is a small clay col
ored species, having no spots whatever, and C.
nouen-notdtd. as the name implies, is dlstln-
guished by being nine-spotted.
In the larval state the beetle is attacked by
great many insects among which we may mention
the following beetles and plant bugs:-one OF the
large metallic green tiger beetles (tetrdcltG
uiTOinica) destroys immense numbers or them.
In the next family OF ground beetles we may men
ton cdloSomG cGldunl, which measures three
quarters OF an inch long. 1t is black,
with several rows OF copper-colored spots
on each wing case. Harpalus caltot-
nocus, dull black species about the
same length; pGstnsdchus etong1tus, larger
species, and tabfd grdfdts. a beetle measuring
about a quarter OF an inch In LENGTH the head and
tnorax OF which quite small and clay-colored,
while the body, large and oval in shape, is dark
blue. One OF the Grove Beetles" phitonthus,
also ATTACKS 1t. AS singular TACT, we may men,
tion that two or three species OF blister dies
(beetles) IhaJ have themselves been considered
enemies OF the potato and justly, too, feed upon
or destroy the Colorado beetle In the larval state
which reminds us forcibly OF the old adage--
when thieves fall out honest come by their
Among the plant bugs, or hemtptera, the insect
is DESTROYED by six species at least. Hdrpdctor
ctnctus Is easily recognized by the legs and sides
being banded with yellow and black. Like all the
insects OF this order, 1t is provided with q oeak,
and destroys its victim by sucking out its juices.
Reduuius raptortus Is about the same size,
and Is brownish in color; arnad sofnosd, which
looks very much like squash bug, also leeds upon
IL. Perillus ofrcunctnctus Is brown, marked with
yellow and eLschtstes puncttpes resembles like
wise the squash bug IN general shape, except that
It is larger. 1t Is dull yelowish, covered with
minute specks dots. Cdpsus Hnearts, small
bug, is also an enemy to the beetle.
LldeILd dorgphorog, dipterous insect belong
ing TO the ntes), is parasitic IN the body OF the
larva, which never attalns the beetle state In con-
sequence. Mr.. Riley, who described TINS insect
states that at destroys fully ten per cent OF the
second brood and nifty per cent OF the third
broodn
Another large ny, prorndchus odstardn, is also
mentioned as q potato beetle destroyer, but the
same insect has such a rascaly haolt OF killing
bees that its credit mark should be small. Even
a species OF daddy-long-legs has been de-
tected in destroying the larvae OF potato
beetles. II is known fact, however,
that spiders generally great insect eaters and
SO our phaldnotuns is only carrying out an In
srnct OF nature. In the family OF wasps poltstes
ruofginosus stings the larva, and while in para
lyzed condition bears 1t TO its food for Its
young.
Chickens. ducks, geese. and In fact poultry
generally, will not touch these insects IN either
stage OF their existence, so we may look In vain
for help from that quarter.
Doubtless there are other insects engaged In
this good work which have been LETT out or the
list, but enough have been given TO show the
farmer that he has some friends In the insect
tribe, and he VIII do well 70 cultivate their ac-
quaintance and protect them. Besides, II ne is a
keen observer he may himself add to the list and
contribute mis- mite to chronological science.
CHARLES II. DODGE,
Assistant Entomologist, United States Depart
ment OF Agriculture.