Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-06-08

The doryphord dccem-lincdtd Colorado
or WesterI ten-lined potato bug-,was de-
scribed by SAY In the journal of the
Academy of Natural Sciences, in 1923, as
occurring in Missouri aud Arkansas, and
was so named from the ten black lines on
its wing coycrs, five on each side. One Of
the first notices Of lis appearance as a de-
structve insect was in 1861, when Judge
Edgerton described it as being very de-
structivc TO the potatoes in Iowa; and, in
1862, it was reported by Thomas Muir
ply, OF Atkinson, in Kansas, as doing
much damage 10 the crops, and being very
numerous. The insect is said to have trav-
elcd East about three hundred and sixty
miles in six years, or at a rate Of about six
ty miles Il year They are now foundas far
North as Canada, and as far East as Maine.
In 1864, it was calculated that, If not check
ed, they would reach the Atlantic States in
1850. 1t seems that they reached the At
lantic States in 1875. The eggs, TO the num-
Der of seven hundred TO twelve hundred,
are deposited on the young leaves of the
potato. These eggs are attached by one
end to the under side of the leaves, usually
in clusters of one TO two dozen. The lar
we hatch out in a few days, and feed from
seventeen to twenty days. Then they bury
themselves in the earth, where they change
into pupe and remain rs pupm from ten to
twelve days, and finally emerge from the
earth as perfect beetles TO deposit more
eggs for second generation. In order to
give some idea OF their powers of multi
plication, aud the injury effected by them,
the Canadian Entomologist states that all
their transformations are effected in hfty
days, so that the result of single pair, If
allowed to increase without molestation,
would, in one season, amount TO over six
" millions and Mr.. Walsh, after a careful
examination of facts, states that in one
year, 1866, these insects had destroyed one
and n quarter millions dollars worth of po-
tatoes in one small portion of the United
States, which came under his observation.
The insect, alier laying, does not die imme-
diately. Prof Daniels, of Wisconsin Uni
versity, having kept "A female alive six
weeks without food after she had laid 1900
eggs. There are said to he three bsoods
annually, the last brood remaining under
ground all winter and appearing as perfect
beetles the following spring. This insect is
stated TO possess poisonous properties when
incautiously handled. II feeds upon the
potato, tomato and eggplant. There are
several parastical insects which destroy
the Colorado potato bug. They prey upon
| il in the larval state, and serve essentially
| to lessen the number Of these pests. Hens
and chickens will also destroy this insect,
and should be allowed TO run among the
vines.
The Larvae Of the Colorado potato bug is
I at first dark redish brown, but becomes
paler, and brightens as it natures. The
head is black, and it has a ring of black on
| the first segment of its body, and two rows
| of black spots on each side. The perfect
| insec. is about half an inch in length. of a
Ice oil
| color, with ten black lines running length
wise down the wing covers the head and
| thoraN are of an orange brown color, spot
ted and marked with black.
There is another insect closely resent
bling the true Colorado bug in form, color
| alton, and markings, and may be distin-
| guished by having the second and third
| stripes always united behind, aud some
times before, giving it the appearance of
| having only eight stripes instead of ten on
| the wing covers. This insect has not yet
been reported as having done any material
| injury to the potato. This is called the "Do
| roDhOId Junctd." Lena tT1linetd, has also
recently been mistaken Tor the Colorado
bug, but may readily be recognized by it,
smaller size, more elongated form, and
| having only three longitudinal black lines
| on its reddish yellow wing covers. The
Larvae may also he readily distinguished
| by its habit OF carrying a disgusting mass
OF excrement on its back and Uy its small
| size.
For the last three days have been Kill
| ing what i supposed was the true Colorado
bug, but iind on close examination that
| they are not, for they have only four stripes
| on the wing cover and the second and third
| stripe unite behind and they are not one
| half inch in length. / think they should
be destroyed by all means. A great many
of our farmers are taking this bug for the
true Colorado bug.-Cor. burlington Free
| Press,