24 ^E\\ VOKK STATE ML'SEL'M 



very likely that the\- may reinlcr sonic service in checkini^ the work of 

 injurious species in such situations. 



Another j^roup of predaceous insects which is of consitleralilc impor- 

 tance, is tile dipterous family of llower llies, Syrphidae. This contains a 

 larifc number of species and some are known to he exceedinj^ly valuable 

 on account of their larvae preyin<r on plant lice. Ihe egt^s are laid by 

 the female among prosperous colonies of these little insects antl the young 

 hatching therefrom proceed to devour their victims, and when the flies are 

 at all abundant, the little pests arc soon reduced to harmless numbers. 



Certain llcmi])tera belonging to the family Pentatomidae, are well 

 known because of their fondness for other insects. The species of Podisus 

 and Euschistus, popularly known as soldier bugs, are som(;times present in 

 considerable numbers and uiKloubtedl)- render material aid in controlling 

 some injuricnis forms. The writer has observed Podisus placidus 

 I' 111., numerous in and about the nests of the a|)|)le tent caterpillar, 

 Malacosoma americana bal)r. These little bugs wert; seen to 

 attack caterpillars live times their size anil sla\- them. As many as six or 

 seven were found within one nest and a numljer in the near vicinity. The 

 presence of this or relaleil sjx-cies in such large numbers means the 

 destruction of a great many caterpillars. 



There are some other ]jredaceous insects in the north of less impor- 

 tance than those mentioned abo\e. .\ niiml)er of species belonging to 

 the Hemipterous family Reduxiidae ar(! well known on account of their 

 living on other insects, and several members of this famil\- have come into 

 lirominence because of occasional bites inflicted on man. .Several mem- 

 bers of the grasshopper order, Orthoptera, are beneficial on account of their 

 destroying various insects. The white flower crickets are common mem- 

 bers of this family and while the adults are injurious because of the punc- 

 tures they mak(; in canes and small twigs, and holes in certain fruits, they 

 possess the valuable habit of devouring a great many small insects. 



The southern ])ra\ing mantis, S i a g m o ni a n t i s Carolina Linn., is 

 a well known souihern species which preys on a great many insects, and the 



