INSECTS AF1-ECT1N(; I'AKK AM) WOOULANU TKKKS 607 



Soldier bugs : Podisus and Euschistus 



Pod is us plocidus rill. 



This species ranges in lenj,fth from .i s to nt:arl\ yi 

 inch and was present in small numbers on hard pine at i^>v~ 

 Karnt!r in igoi, three specimens bein^; taken June 13 and -^ V^-.., 

 two Jul)- g. It has the angles of the ])rothorax sliohtK' ['W^'^^p 

 developed, is yellowish in color, tliickh' mottled with reddish ^, ^^'^ 

 or reddish brown and with the anterior and posterior anjrles '■'>:• ■*■ Podu... 

 of the abdominal set,nnents marked with small black spots. xriKinait 



Mr Kirkland states that in tlie nearly full ij^rown younjr the head, 

 thora.K and win^; pads are an intense pitch black, the abdomen dark red, 

 marjjj^ined with a series of black spots, one on each segment, and with four 

 black spots in a longitudinal row on the dorsum. 



This insect is an exceedingly valuable check on several injurious 

 species. The writer in Mav 1902 found hve of these bugs within ontt tent 

 of the common ap])letree tent caterpillar ( M a 1 a c o s o m a a m e r i c a n a 

 Fabr. ), aiul si.x or seven were observed on the outsidt; of another. Several 

 bugs wc;re seen with their Ijeaks inserted in caterpillars, and in two or three 

 instances a caterpillar hung from the beak of its voracious enemy. Another 

 was observed in association with sawtly larvae ( Lophyrus) on hard \>\\\v. 

 and was probably preying on them, since it ilid not hesitate to do so in 

 confinement. \'oung of this jjlant bug were also taken at Karner in July 

 1902 feeding on the eggs of the senatorial oak cater]Mllar, Anisota 

 senatoria Abl). c\: .Sm. In addition to the above, Mr Kirkland states 

 that this species has been recorded as destroying currant worms, 

 Pteronus r i b (• s i i .Scop., spiny elm cater])illars, Kuvanessa 

 a n t i o ]) a Linn., fail webworms, H y [> h a n t r i a t e x t o r I larr., cater- 

 pillars of the white marked tussock moth, H e m tt r o c a m p a I <■ u c o- 

 stigma Abi). & Sm., II. definita Pack., and gipsy moth caterjiillars, 

 P o r t h e t r i a d i s p a r Linn. 



He also states that over-wintering adults appear in earl\- spring, and 

 after feeding about a fortnight on caterpillars occurring at this time, 



