188 FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



(Gniv. ), and Stajihylimis cinnamopterus Grav., are amoug the species 

 frequently met with in the State of New York. 



Aleochara anthomyi^ Sprague. — The particular species which 

 is parasitic on the larvae of the cabbage-fly was discovered a few years 

 since, in a garden near Boston. According to the account given {loc. 

 cit.) by their discoverer, Mr. P. S. Sprague, some cabbage-plants which 

 had just been set out gave indication, by their wilting and discolora- 

 tion, of insect attack. On taking them up, from ten to thirty of the 

 cabbage-fly larvae were found upon each plant. They had destroyed all 

 of the tender rootlets, and were following the center of the main stock 

 to the surface of the ground. Subsequently (June 20th), twenty-six 

 puparia were collected from the soil of the hills and put in boxes of earth, 

 one moist and the other dry. From these, there were obtained, about 

 the middle of July, seven examples of the parasitic beetle, which had 

 eaten their way through rough holes in the sides of the puparia. No 

 wound or marks could be found upon their exterior, to indicate that 

 the attack had been made while in that stage, and the inference there- 

 fore was drawn, that the larvae had been parasitized, either 

 by the eggs of the beetle having been fastened to their 

 bodies, or by the direct entrance of the young parasitic 

 larvae An examination of the beetle showed it to be an 

 unknown species, and it was accordingly described by Mr. 

 - Sprague as Aleochara ayitliomyicB. Fig. 53 represents the 



a leochara insect — the hair-line beside it indicating its natural size. 



ANTHOMTI^,- 



parasitic The only knowledge that we have of the habits of this 

 bage-fly^ insect is given us by Professor W. S. Barnard, as follows : 

 " It is now very abundant at Ithaca. ****** The beetles 

 are often seen running from one young cabbage to another, or entering 

 holes, but more commonly close about the stalk. Half of our young 

 cabbages here, last year and this, have been killed by the maggots, and 

 now, on pulling up an infested stalk, these beetles often come out, 

 sometimes several from about one plant. To test their habits, I put a 

 maggot in a bottle with them. When hungry, a single one alone will 

 attack a full-sized maggot, tearing open its sides and feasting upon it. 

 I have seen five of them like a pack of wolves cling to, and tear, a 

 writhing maggot, killing it quickly. They are wonderfully active, and 

 promise to be the best enemy against the fly which has ruined so 

 many crops here." i^Amer. Entomol., iii, 1880, p. 199.) 



Of the other species of Aleochara which occur with us, doubtless some 

 will hereafter be shown to be of similar service. Nine species are 

 recognized in this country, of which two are identical with European 

 forms, viz., A. brachypterus (Fourc), and A. nitida Grav. 



