326 Annals Entomological Society of America [Vol. XIII, 



may be sure he has missed something which it may be years 

 before he will again have an opportunity of securing, or securing 

 in the same abundance." The causes of these variations are 

 yet to a great extent an unsolved and puzzling mystery. 



INTRODUCTION. 



As there has been nothing published on the ecology of insects 

 in Florida, the following study was undertaken. It is the first 

 of its kind made in the State and to the knowledge of the writer 

 in the Southern States. 



Because of the close interrelation of insect with plant life 

 it is essential that the investigator be acquainted with the plant 

 life of the region studied. In this respect the writer has been 

 greatly aided by Dr. Roland M. Harper's two interesting and 

 instructive articles, "Florida Vegetation Types" and the 

 "Geography and Vegetation of Northern Florida." These, 

 although treating the flora from a purely floristic point of view 

 and not from an ecological one, have been of much help and 

 have been freely drawn upon. 



Realizing the utter impossibility of completing a study of all 

 the vegetation types in the time available, the writer has 

 narrowed himself down to that of the hammocks and piney 

 woods. The study of the hammocks has been as intensive as 

 time allowed, while that of the piney woods has been only 

 superficial. It is hoped that this paper may prove an incentive 

 and an aid to some future student in a more comprehensive and 

 complete faunal study of the region. 



It represents the results of work running over a period of 

 nearly two years (January 1, 1916, to June 1, 1917), although 

 only half of each day during the academic year was spent on it. 

 Observations were made and collecting done, however, during 

 the summ.er. 



Due to the interest of the writer in Coleoptera, collecting in 

 this group have been more intensive than in the others. 



The photographs are the original work of the author. 



ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. 



A study of this kind has entailed endless collecting and 

 identifying of material. 



I wish to acknowledge the assistance and supervision of 

 Dr. H. S. Davis, under whose direction the work was done. 



