The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1876-07-01
Tho Colorado Potato Bug.

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do, or western ten lined potato bug, vas
described by Say 10 the Journal of the
Academy Of Natural Sciences,in 1873, as
occurring in Missouri and Arkansas, and
was SO named from the ten black lines on
its wing covers. five on each side One
Of the first notices Of its appearance, as
o destructive insect, was 10 1861, when
Judge Edgerton described it as be.
ing very destructive to the potatoes in
Iowa and 10 1862 it was reported by
Thomas Murphy of Atchison, in Kansas,
doing much damage to the crops,
and heing very numerous. The insect
is .aii to have first fed on species of
wild potato, growing out in the far West,
and Is stated to have Travelled cast about
three hundred and sixty miles ln six years,
or at the rate Of about sixty miles year.
They are now said to be found as far
north as Canada, as far cast as Ohio, and,
according to some papers (but doubtful)
even in New York and Pennsylvania.
In 1864 Mr.. Walsh calculated that, If
not checked they would reach the Allan
tic States about the year 1880. The
eggs, TO the number Of 700 or 1900, are
deposited on the young leaves Of the po.
tato. These eggs are attached by one
end to the under side of the leaves,
usually in clusters of ono to two dozen.
The lary@ hatch out in a few days, and
feed from seventeen to twenty days. They
then bury themselves in the earth. where
they change into pupG, and remain as
pup@ from ten TO twelve days, and finally
emerge from the earth as perfect beetles,
to deposit more eggs for second genera
ton. In order to give some idea Of their
powers imultipllcation and the injury
effected by them, the Canadian Entomolo
gist states that all their transformations
are effected in Fifty days, SO that the re.
suit Of single pair, il allowed 20 in.
crease without molcstatioD, would, in one
season, amount to over 60,000,000. And
MIR. Walsh after careful examination
of facts states that in one year (1S66)
these insects had destroyed $1,250,000
worth Of potatoes in one small portion OF
the United S'atcs which came under his
observation Tho insect, after laying its
eggs, does not die Immediately, Professor
Daniels. Of Wisconsin University, having
kept female alive six weeks without
food after she had laid 1900 eggs. There
arc said TO be threo broois annually 10
Missouri and Illinois, the last brood 70.
naming underground all winter, and ap.
peariug as perfect beetles the following
spring This insect is said to possess
poisonous properties when incautiously
handled; but the Canadian Entomologisi
has been unable to find any evidence oi
poisonous properties, and doubts the state.
meni. II feeds upon the potato, tomato
gg.plant, thorn-plant, black hen bane,
&c, &c
The most effective remedy which has
yet been tried is Paris green. This is
recommended by the best authorities but
the greatest care should bo taken wher
using this dangerous poison. that none is
carried by the wind on the person oft
operator, or neighboring fruit. vegetable
or forage crops. 1t should be mixed with
at least ten or twelve parts Of -four, plas.
ter or some other material An overdose
OF ii is apt 10 kill the plants besides leav-
ing a residuum in the soil, which may
prove injurious to the crops.
Three pounds Of Paris green is said
to he enough for an acre Of potatoes