The Acalypha Flea Beetle (Crepidodera Atriventris Melsh.)

This small brown flea beetle has long been known to eat wild Acalypha, and recently did marked damage to ornamental species of this genus. The first three stages are spent in the ground about the plants, the larva feeding on the roots. Two generations are believed to develop each year at Urbana, Illinois, and the winter is passed in the adult stage. A small hymenopterous parasite was obtained from the adult insects. Many details are given to support the above phases of the life history, and other features also are discussed.