THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 17 



I have a melanitic form of disippus with all the markings of ursula 

 on the under surface.and an Ursula that mimics this at the apex of superior 

 wings, and is suffused with tawny red to base of wing. One ursula has a 

 bright red under surface, and so on through many examples blending into 

 each other in color, proving all to be of one origin. The larvse feed on 

 much the same food plants. The larvae of disippus and ursula are held 

 by many collectors to be undistinguishable. 



ANOTHER BEE ENEMY. 



BY A. J. COOK, LANSING, MICHIGAN. 



About one year ago I received a small bug from a gentleman in Mary- 

 land, together with the information that it was a serious enemy of the 

 honey bee. It was stated that this bug would lie concealed among the 

 flowers, and upon occasion would grasp a bee, and, holding it off at arm's 

 length, would suck out its blood and life. More recently, I have heard 

 of the same insect, with the same habits, in Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, and 

 more recently, through the editor of Gleanings, from Minnesota, and later 

 still, from V. W. Keeney, Shirland, 111. In one case it was stated that the 

 bug had the power, which it was not slow to use, of stinging quite 

 severely. This same insect has been observed by both Prof. W. J. Beal 

 and myself, at this place, resting on flowers, in which it is often almost 

 concealed, awaiting an opportunity to capture and defluidize its prospec- 

 tive victims. 



what is IT? 



This is a Hemipteron, or true bug, and belongs to the family Phyma- 

 tidiv Uhr. It is the Phymata erosa, Fabr., the specific name erosa refer- 

 ring to its jagged appearance. It is also called the "stinging bug," in 

 reference to its habit of repelling intrusion by a painful thrust with its 

 sharp, strong beak. 



BIBLIOGRAPHY. 



This insect is mentioned by the lamented Dr. B. D. Walsh (Am. 

 Entomol., vol. i, p. 141), who facetiously compares its intelligence with 



