328 MiW YORK STATE Ml'SEUM 



Parasites. Several small Chalcis llit-s have been reared from this 

 insect. The)' are as follows : .S p i 1 o c h a 1 c i s (S m i c r a ) o d o n t o t a e 

 Howard, was reared from the pupa. S y m p i e z u s u r o p 1 a t a e Howard 

 feeds externally on the larva within its mine. Trichogramma 

 odontotae Howard, is an egg parasite issuing in July. D e r o s- 

 tenus i)rimus Howard was reared from the leaf mine of Odontota. 

 Dr Howaril thinks it may be a secondary parasite, preying on either of 

 the first two species. 



Natural enemies. In addition to the ])arasites named above, Mr Chit- 

 tenden states that at Washington the wheel bug, Prion id us c r i s- 

 tatus Linn., is particularly attracted by the presence of this leaf miner 

 and the young of the wheel bug may be frequently observed walking 

 slowly over the leaves till they have found an inhal)itcd mine, when it 

 deliberately thrusts its beak through the epidermis of the leaf into the 

 Odontota larva. The beetles are attacked by this insect when met with 

 and at once lifted in the air on the tip of the bug's proboscis. 



Distribution. Dr Horn has given the distribution of this insect as 

 " MicUlle and Southern States." Dr Packard records it from New PIngland, 

 Middle and Western .States and Professor Webster has mentioned serious 

 injuries by it in southern Ohio and the adjacent parts of Kentucky. In 

 addition, Mr Chittenden states that it is known to occur in Massachusetts, 

 Connecticut and Canada, though it does not appear to have ever been 

 taken in Michigan, a .State rather thoroughly collected over by Messrs 

 .Schwarz and Hubbard. He adds that the insect appears to be rare in 

 Missouri antl concludes that its southern range is ])ractically limitetl by the 

 States of X'irginia antl Kentucky, while Missouri cU'tines its southwestern 

 distribution. 



Remedial measures. This beetle, like some other species, drops to the 

 ground when alarmed and Dr Lintner has e.\pressed the opinion that this 

 habit might be taken advantage of in the case of valued shade trees. The 

 insects could be jarred on a sheet, collected and destroyed. Mr Chittenden 

 states that the beetles are susceptible to arsenical sprays and suggests the 



