OF WASHINGTON, VOLUME XIV, 1912. 63 



The normal swarms at the lights, however, were exceedingly 

 insignificant compared to the enormous numbers to he found 

 in the fall of 1911. The abundance became most marked 

 about October 8, but continued until the last days of that 

 month. The maximum flight occurred on October 11. At 

 that time, in places where strong arc lights were to be found, 

 it would have been possible to have collected several barrels 

 of the insects in a very short time. No other species of Calosoma 

 were observed. Special observations were made to de- 

 termine whether scrutator, u'il/coxi, or calidnm or other more 

 or less common species were to be found, but without result. 

 Undoubtedly the invasion of Calosoma was due to the great 

 numbers of the cotton worms to be found in the fields at that 

 time. The flight was general, as was shown by notes made at 

 Victoria, Texas, by Mr. J. D. Mitchell and accounts which 

 appeared in the newspapers. By the end of October the 

 beetles had practically disappeared. 



The other enemy of the cotton worm which appeared in 

 great numbers was Chalcis ovata. At the laboratory in Dallas 

 during October and November a dozen specimens were some- 

 times found upon a single window at one time. This is un- 

 doubtedly another example of a rapid adjustment to an 

 abundant host supply furnished by the increase in the num- 

 bers of the cotton worm. 



J^ermes Jlaripes K. is not uncommon in Texas, where 

 swarms occur ordinarily during the early part of the season. 

 In 1911, however, the insect did not come into notice until 

 about the middle of October. At that time much more than 

 usual numbers were to be seen throughout the State. 



Gryllns pennsylntn/cus. This .species occurs in great num- 

 bers almost every season in Texas. The origin of the swarms 

 is not known. In October, 1911, a very unusual flight began 

 and the number of the insects present about the electric lights 

 far surpassed the numbers seen at any time during the writer's 

 more than ten years' experience in the State. 



Sp/ienop/ioms parrulus is a rather uncommon species 

 which feeds upon the roots of Bermuda grass. Mr. W. D. 

 Pierce made notes on the abundance of this species. During 

 the early part of November, in a walk of four or five blocks 

 from the laboratory at Dallas, he would frequently see from 

 50 to 100 adults. Only isolated specimens had ever been 

 observed on previous occasions. This species was not at- 

 tracted to lights. 



Athysanns exitiosiis Ball. This species was undoubtedly 

 the most conspicuous during the season on account of its 

 smarms about electric lights. The occurrence of this insect 



