90 \ TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



to 1868 uo other cannibals were known to attack it. In the summer of that year, my 

 late lamented associate, Mr. Walsh, discovered several which habitually prey upon it, 

 namely, the larva of the Pennsylvania Soldier-beetle {ChavUognathus Pennsyhanicus , 

 DeGeer), that of an undetermined species of Lace-wing Fly {Ghrysopa), that of an 

 unknown Ground-beetle (probably Harpalus Pennsyhanicus , DeGeer), and the Suban- 

 gular Ground-beetle {Aspidiglossa subangulata, Chaud). Those who wish full descrip- 

 tions, with ligiu-es, of these Curculio enemies, will find them in the October (1868) 

 number of the American Entomologist. The Pennsylvania Soldier-beetle is evidently 

 the most eflectual of the four, for its larva is frequently met with ; while the beetle 

 itself, with its yellow jacket and two broad black spots near the tail, is very abundant 

 during the months of September and October, on many of our composite flowers, and 

 especially on the golden-rods, spireas, bigouias, privets, and on carrot blossoms. It 

 does no harm to the flowers, being content with the pollen which they aftbrd, and it 

 should never be ruthlessly destroyed. 



But I have this j'ear discovered an insect friend, which, though far more insignificant 

 in appearance, is yet more useful to us in checking the increase of the Curculio than 

 are all the others put together. It is in the shape of a yellow species of Thrips, of 

 microscopic dimensions, the business of whose life seems to be to hunt up and devour 

 the Curculio egg as soon as deposited. I had often wondered why so many Curculio 

 eggs failed to hatch, and was gratified last May to find the cause. A description of 

 this Thrips would not edify you, and it suffices to state that the word Thrips is used in 

 the Entomological sense, and not in the sense which many horticulturists use it, as in 

 speaking, for instance, of the Leaf-hopper of the vine. The illustration which I have 

 prepared will give you an idea of the contour of these little animals. The species in 

 question is yellow, and scarcely measures one-twentieth of an inch. Thus far I have 

 only noticed it in two orchards near Sulphur Springs, Mo., and cannot yet tell to what 

 extent it occurs elsewhere ; yet who knows but this liliputian little friend may, in the 

 course of a few years, rout the ubiquitous "Turk," by attacking him in his most 

 vulnerable point, just in the same manner that the lady-birds routed the Colorado 

 potato bug in many sections, by devouring its eggs; or that the minute Acarus or 

 Mite, described by Dr. Shimer &^ Acarus mali, and first noticed two years ago, has 

 routed the Oyster-shell bark-louse in many orchards? Verily, Nature's ways are so 

 varied— so complicated, and the phases of animal life are so intricate — so protean, 

 that this much desired result may yet be consummated. Only this year, a worm which 

 I have called the pickle-worm, and which was never before known to cut up such 

 •capers, has everywhere penetrated our melons and our cucumbers, and presents its 

 ghastly self even in our choicest pickles. The ' ' Struggle for Life ' ' causes many a 

 vacillation in the proportion of an insect and its parasite — the cannibal and its prey — 

 and the Little Turk may yet find his match in this apparently insignificant Thrips. 



MOOTED POIXTS. 



We will now briefly touch upon a few points on which there is diflerence of opinion, 

 and which will, it is to be hoped, elicit discussion, and draw out the opinions and 

 experience of those present. 



There is conflicting e-\idence from difl'ercnt authors , as to whether the Curculio is 

 single or double brooded each year, and as to whether it hibernates principally in the 



