THE MONTHLY BULT^ETIN. 553 



almost entirely killed out. Roses in the neighl)oring garden presented 

 a sorr}^ appearance, nearly every floM^er having the tips of the petals 

 blackened and dried from the vicious attack. 



It was noted in connection with the examination of the injury done 

 by the plant bug that no eggs or other immature stages could be found. 

 This led to the conclusion that the insects had either migrated from 

 natural food plants which had dried up, thus forcing them to look 

 elsewhere in search of food, or that it was too early in the season for 

 egg production to take place. Two weeks later the infested gardens 

 were revisited and to my surprise the garden crops were entirely free 

 from the pests, although here and there among the weeds and grasses 

 of the adjacent land a few specimens could be obtained, lending 

 further proof to the statement that the infestation was due to a migra- 

 tion caused by the drying up of its natural host. 



From the fact that the insect was distributed over such a large 

 uncultivated area at Fairoaks contact poisons are out of the question 

 unless used frequently, because reinfestation would soon be the result. 

 A repellent which would drive them away seems to be the solution of 

 the prolilem, but unfortunately time and opportunity did not permit 

 of experiment with the various methods of control. I'ossibly an appli- 

 cation of Bordeaux mixture, which is considered a good repellent as 

 well as a fungicide, light enough to prevent burning of the foliage, or 

 lime, in the proportions of 25 pounds stonelime to 100 gallons of water 

 and sprayed on the leaves will drive them away. Experiments will be 

 conducted to determine the value of these sprays against this insect if 

 it makes its further appearance. 



Mr. E. P. VanDuzee has found this species to be common on grasses 

 and weeds at San Diego, California, and has recorded it as being 

 distributed over California, Colorado, Washington, Idaho, New Mexico 

 and in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah. Mr. Otto Heideman records 

 it as common on lupine and injurious to potato plants in this State. 



This capsid was kindly determined by Mr. Van Duzee as Irhisia 

 brachycerus Uhler. It has been recently redescribed as Capsus solani 

 by Mr. Heideman.^ 



If the grower, who has noticed damage to his crops of a nature 

 similar to that described in the preceding paragraphs, will take the 

 trouble to send in a few specimens in a small vial or box .to the Insectary, 

 we will be glad to identify them and to make suggestions regarding 

 experiments for their control. 



iProc. Ent. Soc. W^ashington. Vol. XII, No. 4, pages 200-201. 



