Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-08-08

Mr.. EDIToR:--I enclose species O
beetle that has recently made its appear
ance in this place. These insects coIec
in large numbers on the potato plant, eat.
ing clean the foliage as they 60, leaving
the ribs only.
At MONDAY they are quite active, taking
to wing when the catching of them is at
tempted. As the day declines they grow
sluggish, and many of them drop to tn,
ground when the foliage of the plant i,
slightly disturbed.
TN Friday Of last week placed one o
them under an inverted glass, and while
making some observations. yesterday,
discovered loose cluster of eggs. As I
had not noticed them before, | concluded
they were deposited by this insect.
These eggs are many more in number
and less spherical in shape than those of
the Colorado beetle; and while those of
the latter are of clear orange. these are
OF pale cream color. placed them on
sheet of note paper, and since they have
somewhat changed in tint. Accidently |
broke some of them; the remainder | en-,
close, Perhaps you may know something
OF TINS new conner, whence it hailed, ...aud
whittier its destiny.
Agriculturists are awakening to the fact
that strong measures should be taken
against insect depreciation But if it be
true that the Paris green that is so largely
used as an insect eXtermnator, is causing
destruction to our birds. greater calami
ty Is Detailing us than the entire loss of the
potato crop.
Last season, in the Province of Quebec.
noticed that Paris green was used with.
out caution by persons ignorant of its
properties on cabbage and other plants
affected by parasites
In our own land fear that sufficient
care is MT exercised when applying it. and
from the use of this poison is not danger in
many ways imminent
l hope that you will call the attention Of
our people 10 this subject
Yours truly,
W.. l.. B. ROBERTS.
Washington, VT, July "a, II.
On the receipt of the specimens we for
warded them TO DR.. Cutting for identified
ton and description. DR.. Cutting replies
as follows
The specimens you send me arc the bis
ter beetle, the LyHa Cinerea. They eat
the leaves of the bean, apple, potato and
some others. They have frequently troubled
potatoes in Massachusetts but never, TO
any great extent, in Vermont. They have
been sent me several times this year as the
potato beetle.
In days not too hot, they are very active
IN The middle Of the day, but in very hot
days they will be found scarce. when
they are feeding night and morning. they
are more sluggish and will drop off with
touch. They lay their eggs in the ground
in August, usually the first, when the beetles
soon disappear. The eggs hatch into slcn-
der yellow grubs in about four weeks, and
pass the winter in the ground.
Paris green kills them rs well as the
regular Colorado beetle.
lhe eggs sent are not the eggs of the
Lyttd Cinered but of the three lined leaf
beetle-Lena Irilineatu.
If the Lytta CtnereG can be caught in
quantities, killed by putting in boiling WA
ter, and dried on blottng or some other
49, t''ePNA why SRll w SUN 10 Inc COLO |
dion makers, as they can use them in place
OF the Spanish blister beetle. See page
l5o OF Harris's Insects injurious to Veg
etation.n %
l shall have something to say in the
FREEMAN soon concerning Paris green,
and its use.
1t seems then that this last pest is not an
unmixed evil, and that the hide and tai
low will pay, in part, at least. Tor the
killing and the damage he may do. We
have, as our readers know, always opposed
The use of Paris green, except as the last
resort, and have not found it necessary on
our own crops.
Will Mr.. Roberts kindly furnish us such
facts concerning.its use as observed by him
in the Province of Quebec, and whether
any i'll effects followed its careless handling
either to persons, or what may be quite as
important, to the birds.