The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-06-06
The Colorado Beetle.


RALEIGH. June Is.
Apprehens'onS havi1y been -vp-~S>-i
that this bug. which na~ h-"n :, DC
stTuctlve 70 tue p'tatne 2 . her cfn :
IN the western "a np.tEar>t-ru> ate>.
mas mad" rs a2pt sf .- e. "a nserIAui
and arren ~couutl,> Respectfully ask.
Tor the Information ~ .ur f4ruer,
space N you. columns .or such de>cslr-
ton 81 4 a ! have IA. able ID learn
Lo1l HE most authrulc sources.
DESCRIPTION AN HABII~.
II = kuo@n - D.-4p.erI t.r.. %
an or western renamed pat. -1a--
was irsf ioa - il Arkansas .uJ Ms
sour IN the year 1873. vhage il Wa
feeding on the vine OF 4 species &c wl.l
potato. On farms II feeds c....tl, on
the potato, tomato, : plant. fhlru
apple, bltCk h~encauc. &c. L. r.~-
from the number r seven t. tarl.
lundTed are deposited on The Nauu,
caves Of the potato. The ff~rr hatch
out In = lew days. and feed from : ven
teen 70 twenty days. Their power, ;
multiplication are - great t1a t8-
anadl Eutomologist estimates that
single par, If allowed TO increase ~
molested, would. il one season.
produce over sixty millions. There are
generally three UIoods auuua. ). the
last brood remaining underground all
Wlufer aud appearing as perfect b~.et'c>
the following spring. The lara i az
first OF a dark reddish brown, but b.
comes paler and brightens a. il natures.
The head IS black, and 1t has a ring Of
black on the first segment OF lis body.
and two rews OF black spots on each
sl1a Tho yarfaa- 1900. =, 49,. ~.
an inch in length, of a thick. oval shape,
and of a y~ellowish cream color. with
With ten black lines running leugthwise
down the wing covers. The head and
thorax are of an orange-brown color,
spotted and marked with black.
KINDRED INSECTS
There is another insect so closely re
sembliug the true Colorado beetle. tina
it is difficult for any but an experieucept
entomologist to detect the difference.
This insect is called D0ryphord Jlnctd.
and has the second and third stripes
always united behind, aud sometimes
before, giving 1T the appearance OF hav-
ing only eight stripes, instead Of ten, on
the wing covers. The beetle soon after
its discovery was found to be moving
eastward, at about the average rate of
sixty-two miles a year. 1t crossed the
Mississippi river in 1861. and it was
calculated by entomologists that it
would reach the Atlantic coast In 1873.
DAMAGE BY BEETLES.
Tie damages by the beetle are con
fined chiefly to the Irish potato, and it
is said that they are not fond Of certain
varieties, such as Peachblow. Early
Rose, Peerless, Chilli, &c.
EXTERMINATING REMED
The most effective remedy yet found
is Paris Green mixed with eight to
J twelve parts of wheat flour, or three
/ parts of wood ashes. But great eau
ton should be observed in the use OF
this poison, SO as not to inhale it. The
y insect itself is said, on good authority
to possess poisonous properties, anC
persons have suffered from i%ncautious
i handling of them.
II SPECIMENS AND IMPORTATION WANTED.
/ have requested gentlemen in Cum
beriand and Warren, to send specimens
I of the bug appearing in those counties,
to this office, with the view of ascer-
tanning its identity. Should it appear
in other portions of the State, | would
be pleased to have Information of the
fact at once. l.. l.. POLK.
FARMERS OF GUILFORD.-GOur cOun-
ty stands ahead of all the counties in
the State in the Agricultural Museum
at Raleigh. This is something to be
proud of; but you must bestir your
selves or you will lose the champion
ship. This year as your crops are
gathered secure some of the finest
specimens, fix them up neatly. and
bring them to Mr.. Jas. w. Albright,
at his office opposite the Planters Ho-
tel. Specimens of oats, wheat, barley,
corn, grasses, and such crops as are
not perishable, are wanted for perma-
nent exhibition, and potatoes. beets.
carrots, fruits, &C., will be called for
in September and October for the State
fair. Don't forget this request.
We clip the above from the North
State to show why it is hat Guilford
Stands ahead of all the counties in
the State in the Agricultural Museum
Mr.. Albright. and other public spirited
citizens, and the papers Of that good
old county, have shown an active in
terest in this matter from the first
and the above shows that this interest
has not abated. But the intimation
that Guilford must look we'll to her
l~awrels,, is timely, for many of the
other counties are filling up with
handsome specimens. Let each cor
respondent and friend of Agriculture
but do a little, and it will be the heart
of a North Carolinian good to walk
COMPOSING IN EDGECOMBE COUNTY.
Although many of the farmers in