14:0 FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 



enemy, I am much interested in it. Indeed, I knew of only one bee-killer 

 among the bngs proper, before this one came; that is, the curious stinging 

 bug, Plnjmaia erosa, Fab., which is fully described and illustrated in my 

 Manual, last edition, page 322. This new bee-stabber — I will christen it the 

 bee-stabber — as Mr. E. says that it stabs the bee and sucks it dry, is known in 

 science as Euthyrlnjnchus Floridanns, Linn. As would be inferred by its 

 generic name, it has a very powerful four-jointed beak, which is shown mag- 

 nified in the figure. From the specific name given by the great Sweedish 

 naturalist, Linnceus, we should expect it to occur in Florida as well as 

 in South Carolina. Probably the one described by Linnaeus came from 

 Florida. This insect was also described by Th. Say, as Pcntaioma emarginala. 

 His description of this insect, like all his descrip- 

 tions, is very accurate, which will be seen by look- 

 ing at the figure which I send, which is drawn 

 natural size. "From Georgia. Body purplish 

 blue." This one is greenish blue. '' Kostrum 

 pale fulvous; thorax at posterior angles, with a 

 cylindrical emarginate spine ; scutel having three 

 obicular fulvous spots; feet at base pale fulvous; 



beneath, under the rostrum, region of the feet, Bee-stabber-Ew/7.,yrhi/nchus' 

 middle of the ventral base, anus, and triangular Fiondanus. 



lateral spot, fulvous. Length one-half inch." 



" Female. — Thorax with the anterior and lateral margins and longitudina 

 line in the middle dull fulvous; the two basal spots of the scutel sometimes 

 confluent. Length three fifths of an inch." The one I have from South 

 Carolina, as will be seen by the figure, is a female. Mr. Say received his 

 specimen from Savannah, Georgia. 



The near relatives of this insect are often predaceous, and so are very val- 

 uable. Usually, however, few are so brave as to attack bees, and are wholly 

 our friends, as they destroy many of our most destructive insect foes. This 

 one, no doubt, also does much good, and it is only to be regretted that it 

 has this one sin to account for. I presume, however, that it will not draw 

 very heavily on the apiary, and so from its general good character we may 

 excuse this one dereliction. Should it so prey upon our bees that we feel 

 the loss, then I could only suggest the same remedy that I have recommended 

 for the "bee-hawks" — the large dragon flies that attack and destroy our 

 bees — to capture them by hand. I should be very glad if Mr. Ellison could 

 send me a dozen of these handsome bugs. Indeed, I am glad to get insects 

 from bee-keepers everywhere and all others, and will gladly describe, name, 

 and will explain their habits. In sending insects be sure to put them into a 

 close, strong box, so that they may not be crushed in transit. It is not neces- 

 sary to give them any ventilation, nor usually to furnish them any food. 

 Caterpillars should have some of their food in the box with them. 



SOUTH CAROLINA BEE-STABBER. 



I inclose a very accurate figure of a bee-destroying bug received from Mr.- 

 W. J. Ellison, Stateburg, South Carolina. The figure gives accurately the size, 

 form, and markings. It is a very graceful, slender bug, and belongs to a 

 very predaceous group. Their entire life's business seems to be to hunt out 

 and destroy other insects. The scientific name is Leptor/Iossus phyllojms. 



