400 JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY [Vol. 4 



lection and the weight of the moss examined, from which has been 

 calculated the average number of insects per ton of moss, presuming 

 that the moss examined gives a fair indication of the average inhabi- 

 tants in that locality. The number of insects likely to inhabit a swamp 

 during the winter, per acre, might also be approximated, but the trees 

 vary so much in their load of the moss, and the number of trees bearing 

 moss in the swamps is also so variable for different locations, that such 

 a calculation would be extremely difficult. 



All moss was collected in swamps in the vicinity of Mansura, in 

 Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana, near the center of the state. The collec- 

 tions were made by Mr. Malcolm S. Dougherty, w^ho was located at 

 Mansura in charge of the hibernation experiments carried on by the 

 Crop Pest Commission at that place. 



In obtaining the weight of moss in each lot, the gross weight of the 

 moss was first obtained before examining it for its insect contents. 

 During this examination all twigs of any appreciable size were removed, 

 and the weight of these later subtracted from the gross weight of the 

 original lot. In this way the actual weight of the moss itself was 

 gotten. 



The moss was examined by placing it upon a table covered with 

 white oilcloth or paper, and tearing it into fine shreds, holding the 

 strands against the light of a window so that any insect in them would 

 be readily seen, while those dropping upon the white tablecover could 

 also be easily collected. 



December 15, 1908 

 13.25 lbs. of Tillandsia usneoides 



INSECTA. 



No. found Approximate 



Species in lot No. per ton 



Paromius longulus 94 14 , 100 



Anthonomus suturalis 40 6 , 000 



Anthonomus grandis Ki 2 ,400 



Nezara viridula 14 2 , 100 



Lixus musculus 8 1 , 200 



Bruchus cruentat us 6 900 



Mantura floridana 6 900 



•Spermophagus robiniae 5 750 



Blattid, immature 4 600 



Nysius californicus 4 600 



Phymata erosa Linn., subsp. fasciata Gray 4 600 



Disonycha pennsylvanica 3 450 



Sinea spinipcs 3 450 



Largus succinctus 2 300 



Phalacrus penicillatus 2 300 



Psyllobora 22-punctata 2 300 



Adalia oculata 1 150 



Anthonomus scutellatus 1 150 



