Notes on the Green Bug in Texas. 283 



tecting the prey seem quite inadequate, because the beetle has 

 been seen time after time to run directly over or even dislodge 

 many green bugs or other aphides from their positions on the 

 blades of plants and not exhibit any sign of perception of these 

 objects. Only when a ladybird happens to run its head against' 

 an aphid, so that the mouth parts or palpi come into contact 

 with the body of the prey, does the beetle appear able to recog- 

 nize the presence of a victim. Since the beetle wanders from 

 leaf to leaf in a hasty manner, making but brief pauses at vari- 

 ous distances, it actually runs over numbers of aphids and 

 needlessly sweeps them off of its path by the gripping mo- 

 tions of its legs. The aphids which fall to the ground upon 

 being dislodged from a plant by the movements of a ladybird 

 when it traverses a blade have a chance to crawl back on the 

 same or another plant and reestablish themselves. 



Another faulty trait to be charged against the spotted lady- 

 bird, and in particular to the larva, is accountable to the in- 

 sect's fondness in feasting on wingless green bugs in prefer- 

 ence to the winged forms. Unless a ladybird should likely be 

 verj' hungry, the winged green bugs are liable to be spared for 

 choicer morsels as presented by the apterous forms. Possibly 

 the migrants can of ttimes make their escape on the approach of 

 a predaceous foe, especially if it should be a clumsy ladybird. 



On the whole, the importance of all the useful ladybirds is ob- 

 vious, and a recognition of the various kinds in their different 

 stages will enable the agriculturist to avoid mistaking and 

 heedlessly destroying them as supposed pests, when instead 

 they should be treated with friendly regard and afforded every 

 possible protection and encouragement for the valuable ser- 

 vice they render. 



BREEDING FACILITIES IN WORK WITH GREEN BUGS. 



Fo3' isolated breeding of Toxoptera graminum, a sufficient 

 number of pots in which food plants have to be grown is an es- 

 sential requirement. A special type of galvanized iron pot 

 with a capacity of about a peck measure, and having a tube 

 connected on the outside for conducting water as needed into 

 the earth contents from beneath the surface, was used with 

 much satisfaction. Common earthen f.ower pots answer ad- 

 mirably, and even ordinary tin cans were utilized on emer- 

 gencies. 



