Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-07-30
For the Freeman
A Chat with Farmers.
BY AGRICOLA.
ABOUT NoxIoUs INSECTS

The goldsmith beetle, as he is some
times called, is one of the most cannon
OF the tree beetles in this country. II i
about nine-tenths of an inch in LENGTH
broad oval in shape, of glitterinp yellow
upon his upper surface; but on The unde,
side of the body he is ooffee.colored anf
thickly covered with whitish wool iii,
legs are Of brownish yellow, shaded
with green.
The reign of the beetle, as timed in
Massachusetts,. is from the middle of MAY
to the 2Oth of June. He goes forth from
his retreat in the morning and evening
twilight, and flies about, with hummino
sound, among the branches of trees upon
whose tender leaves he subsists. Pear
trees are the most likely to suffer from the
attack of this bug. He also iniures the
elm, hickory, poplar, oak and some other
trees; During the middle of the dav he
quietly clings to the under surface of the
leaves, concealed from human view.
Some seasons these bugs are more nu-
merous than others. When shaken from
the young trees where they rest in the day
time, they do not attempt to f1v. but fall at
once upon the ground. This insect seems
to be the connecting link between the tree
and ground beetle, having the appearance
OF Inc former and the leaf-eating habits of
the latter.
And there is large spotted beetle be-
longing to the same genus, which is found
on the cultivated and wild grapevine
during the months of July and August.
lie is OF an oblong, oval shape, and about
an inch long. His wings, which are of q
broWnlsh yellow color. wear six distinct
black dots-three on each wing. The
body and legs are of a deep bronze color.
These beetles fly by day, and take their
meals upon the grape leaves which they
lnJure very much. We know of but one
way to destroy them, and that is to pick
them off by hand and crush them under
foot! The larvae of this insect live in
rotten wood.
We call especial attention to the species
OF tree beetles called doris, chafers, MAJ
oagS and rose bugs, as farmers and gar
deners need TO understand their destructive
habits, both in the larvae and winged
state.
The general characters of these insects
may here be described: They have an
oblong oval and USUALLY brown BODY
Inc antenn@ have nine or ten Joints. The
knob, which is longer in the male than in
the female, consists of three leaf-like
pieces that open and shut like book.
lheir jaws are constructed like mill stones
for grinding. Their wings do not cover
the whole body, but leave the hinder ex-
tremity exposed. Their long legs are
with teeth and notched claws be.
meath. Their jaws are powerful and fitted
Tor both cutting and grinding the leaves of
plants upon which they feed. They are
furnished with double claws to enable
them to cling to the foliage, and their
Jagged fore-legs were made for digging in
the ground. This fact points out the place
Of their transformation They devour I'M
sparingly the leaves of trees and shrubs.
There is one comfort to the gardener
they are very short-lived In a perfect
state they live only one eOeeh, and entirely
disappear in the course of month. The |
sexes are first paired, then the males die
and the females enter the earth to the |
depth of six inches or more. There they
deposit their eggs. Qrom one TO two hun
ired each.) Having laid their eggs the
emales again come to the surface of the
ground and die. THAT life is long which
answers life's great end," and with these
Insects it seems to be to destroy so much
If the leaf and tree and shrub as is neces
AIRY for their transient support, and to
propagate their species. In the space of
ourteen days these eggs are Matched into
title white grubs having six legs and a
mouth furnished with strong jaws. These
re now ready for the work of destruction
Ipon vegetables. When winter comes it
Inds them in a torpid state, ready to sleep
ntl spring. And now they change their
kins and re-ascend 10 the surface for
God.
More of this strange insect in out next
aper.