98 [Assembly, 



prove to be correct, but as it is unsupported by any statement of 

 observation and identification, we fear that it is based mainly upon 

 a disposition to refer many obscure attacks to the operations 

 of " thrips," — a family of insects of which we really know very little. 

 Whatever the insect may be, the recommendation made for its 

 destruction in the notice which we quote, will probably prove of 

 material value. 



In many localities June grass, Poa jpratensis^ is being much 

 injured by a minute insect, a species of thrips, which inhabits the 

 stalk just above the upper joint, and by sucking the juice of the 

 grass causes that part above it to wilt and die. In some old fields 

 and door yards where the grass has been mowed many years, more 

 than half the heads of the June grass will be found white and 

 dead, causing quite a depreciation in the value of the hay. The 

 insect in its larval state is scarcely large enough to be seen readily 

 by the naked eye, being not more than a tenth ot an inch long and 

 very slender. Where it is not desirable to plough the ground, as 

 in yards about the buildings, we would advise cutting the grass as 

 soon as the heads begin to turn white. Feeding it out green 

 immediately will destroy the insects, and probably if the grass is 

 made into hay very early it will tend to prevent the thrips from 

 coming to maturity. We siiould judge that the transformations 

 occur in the field and near to the place of birth. A field that was 

 badly infested last year is found equally so this year, while an old 

 pasture that has been kept ted down close for several years, but not 

 pastured this year, is almost free from the insect. Except in lawns, 

 we should recommend ploughing and planting a couple of years to 

 clear the land entirely of this little pest. 



A New Strawberry Insect. 



Bemhidium quadrimaGulaPum (Linn.). 



Mr. J. P. Little, of Columbia, Conn., has sent the following note 

 of inquiry of an insect attack upon his strawberry plants: 



A new enemy to the strawberry plant has appeared on my 

 newly-set plants ; at least it is new to me. It is a small brown 

 bug which eats the leaves of the newly-set plants, and thus entirely 

 destroys them. I send samples of the pest herewith. 



The beetles received are Bcnfihidinm quadrvmaculatwia (Linn.). 

 Their occurrence, as at present found, is quite interesting, for, 

 although the insect has long been known, and is referred to by 

 Dr. Fitch as "very common in our garden" (Eleventh Report, 

 p. 504, Transactions of New York State Agricultural Society), 



