178 Journal of Agricultural Research * voi.xv.No.a 



Dr. E. P. Felt, State entomologist of New York, wrote as follows: 



Replying to yours of the 5th instant would state that Miris dolabraius is a rather 

 common and widely distributed insect in this State, attaining matiu-ity about the 

 middle of June. Occasionally it is exceedingly abundant, as was the case June 14, 

 1898, at Trenton Falls, where it literally swarmed in a field of timothy. You 

 doubtless appreciate that unless such insects are extremely numerous and kill or 

 nearly destroy the grass comparatively little attention is paid to them. 



The following records, supplied by Dr. Felt, are from the State Museum 

 of New York : 



Albany, June 19, 1900, June 13, 1903, June 25, 1901, June 17, 19, 

 1899; Chazy Lake, June 28, 1913; Crane Pond, July 2, 1897; Frenchs 

 Mill, June 14, 1902; Ithaca, June 28, 1892; Karner, June 27, 1903; 

 Keene Valley, July 16, i894;MountMarcy, July 31, 1913; North Chatham, 

 June 6, 1902; Ogdensburg, July 10, 1903; Poughkeepsie, June 2, 1903; 

 Saranac Inn, June 27, 1913; Schodack, June 22, 1902; Trenton Falls, 

 June 18, 1898, very abundant; Wells, July 19, 191 3; Westfield, June 



24, 1904. 



Prof. H. A. Gossard, writing from Wooster, Ohio, sent the following 

 data: 



Replying to your inquiry regarding Miris dolabratus will say that it has been noted 

 as an extremely abundant and injurious insect in Ohio meadows during several dif- 

 ferent seasons. In the latter part of Jime, 1907, Mr. Whitmarsh took a great many 

 specimens which are in our collection, and it must have been rather numerous. In 

 1912 I noticed it in such great abundance in a mixed meadow of blue grass, redtop, 

 and timothy on the station farm that I noted it as a species worthy of special investi- 

 gation, and I am glad you are undertaking the study. I noted both larvae and adults 

 May II, 1912, and there are numerous specimens in oiu" collection taken on that 

 date. There were also numerous specimens taken June 6, 1912. I recall noting 

 that the punctures of the insects on the grass stems were abundant but the injury 

 to the grass was rather indeterminable. So long as rainfall is plentiful, I would not 

 anticipate conspicuous damage from the species, but during a dry period I appre- 

 hend that it could do as much or more damage than I have yet seen the tarnished 

 plant bug do. I certainly have never seen tlie tarnished plant bug in such numbers 

 as Aliris dolabraius during May and Jtuie, 1912. I recall that nymphs of the species 

 were abundant and approximately mature when the earliest grasshopper nymphs 

 were appearing in the pasture. I have not noted the species in such numbers since 

 1912, but possibly I have not been collecting in places that would discover it. 



Prof. H. Garman, of the Kentucky Experiment Station, wrote: 



Replying to your note of July 5th I have to say that my first record of the occurrence 

 of Miris dolabratus in Kentucky is May 23, 1908, when it was swept from grasses in a 

 pastiu-e at Lexington. I have other specimens taken at Lexington, May 10, 1913. 

 I think if the species had been common previous to the earliest date given, I should 

 have observed it. Oncognathus binotatus has been common here on timothy ever 

 since I came to Lexington. My first records of its occurrence are in 1891, about the 

 time it was observed by Doctor Howard. 



Mr. C. A. Hart, of Urbana, 111., replied: 



Our first named specimens of Miris dolabratus were sent us by Dr. C. M. Weed from 

 Columbus, Ohio; I do not knov the date. Our earliest specimen, the date of which 



