68 



sitie species are not as conspicuous as the preclaceous, but some 

 of the common Tachina flies were plentiful. About a dozen 

 species of the family were noted, Archytas analis and Frontina 

 aletiae being among the most often observed. Not many para- 

 sitic Hymenoptera were taken but particular attention was not 

 given that group. Quite often a specimen of Polistes was ob- 

 served that showed the work of a member of the family Stylo- 

 pidae. 



There are those wlio ask regarding the benefits to be derived 

 from a study of predaceous and parasitic insects. True, these 

 work just the same when they are receiving no attention from 

 anyone but the results that have been and are being accomplished 

 with them after their habits are fully known is proof enough 

 that we do not realize their possibilities at the present time. 

 In order that they be protected they must be known by the 

 people in general, and in order that we know what they are 

 capable of accomplishing a full understanding of their habits 

 is necessary. It would seem that the subject is one most worthy 

 cf attention. 



Scale insects are not plentiful at Cameron, but one species 

 attracted my attention especially. A common tree grows in the 

 locality, conunonly known as the toothache tree ; by botanists 

 ctilled Xanthoxylon clava-herculis. A scale insect, Ceroplastes 

 cirripediformis, is abundant on this tree, in fact, some trees are 

 literally covered with it. The scale is rather large and must 

 stcrete a great deal of honey dew, for insects of different orders 

 were attracted in large numbers. Many species not seen any- 

 where else were plentiful enough here to make them appear com- 

 mon. I did not keep a complete list of all the species taken on 

 the infested trees, but the following are some of the more con- 

 spicuous : the screwworm fly was represented by more indi- 

 viduals than any other; horseflies of two or three species, es- 

 pecially the males, were conspicuous ; Tachina flies of various 

 species were plentiful; and several kinds of predaceous wasps, 

 as Monedula Carolina, Sulius fulvicornis and others, continually 

 reminded one of their presence by the buzzing sound produced 

 by their wings in coming and going or in moving from one 

 branch to another. 



