'24:2 The Ohio Journal of Science [Vol. XX, No. 7, 



.■3% contained Tipulidas; 3% contained Sapromyza lupulinae; 2% con- 

 tained Coccinellidas ; 2% contained Bumble Bees; 2% contained Melano- 

 stoma mellinum; 9% all other Diptera not already included. 



The highest per cent of any one insect fed upon by this 

 spider was the honey bee. The reason for this is that Epeira 

 irifolium does not mature until the first of August or about the 

 time when the first fall wild flowers are in bloom. Such flowers 

 as Golden Rod, Asters, Boneset and Ironweed all grow in places 

 where this spider builds its web. The web is made vertical or 

 nearly so and is often made between the stalks of two of these 

 plants. The bees come to visit the flowers and get entangled 

 in the web. Some of these flowers continue to bloom almost 

 as long as the spider lives, so during their whole feeding period 

 they are living in places where they can easily secure honey 

 bees. I do not think they prefer bees to any other insect, but 

 it is simply a question o'f the location of the web and the chance 

 of bees flying into it. Grasshoppers are always abundant in 

 the locations where this spider makes its web and forms the 

 second highest per cent of the food of those observed. Nearly 

 all the other insects which enter into the food to any extent are 

 of an injurious character. To decide whether or not this spider 

 is of an injurious or beneficial character several things must be 

 considered. Whether a honey bee is of more value than the 

 destruction of a grasshopper it is difficult to say. If we balance 

 the insects destroyed which are injurious to farm crops against 

 the honey bees and Coccinellidae, we find that the higher per 

 cent of insects destroyed are injurious ones. But the question 

 would still remain as to what value should be given to honey 

 bees and Coccinellidas when they are rated against other 

 insects. In my opinion the good they do overbalances the 

 injury. 



Epeira gigas Leach. 



Epeira gigas is closely related to Epeira trifolium. Like 

 Epeira trifolium, it is one of our most beautiful spiders. The 

 color markings vary a great deal and Comstock gives three 

 varieties of this same species. The color markings vary so much 

 that one would mistake different individuals for different species. 

 This spider is found in much the same situations as Epeira 

 .trifolium. However, it is more given to building its web in 

 woods and bushes than is Epeira trifolium. It often makes its 

 web in trees ten or fifteen feet from the ground. 



