thp: ulassy-winged sharpsh()()Tp:k. 53 



as "the sharpshooter/' Moreover, when the insect was (les('ril)ed to 

 planters, many recognized it as "the dodger,"" which name they had 

 giren it from its characteristic ha])it of dodging around the stalk Avhen 

 slightly disturbed, and stated that though they had seen it connuonly 

 on cotton for years the}' had never thought it injurious. In our own 

 field observations we have sometimes seen this species quite al)undant 

 on cotton, but have never noted any injurious effect from its presence, 

 and it is never so abundant on cotton as on other preferred food 

 plants. It is exceedingly fond of young sorghum, sunflowers, and 

 bananas. Prof. H. A. Morgan informs us that he has seen sunflowers 

 considerably injured by the large numbers of these insects upon them. 

 To further test the matter, numerous observations were made upon 

 individuals contined in cages upon cotton, both in the laboratory and 

 field. In only one instance was anything like injury to the squares 

 observed. In this instance two specimens were contined on a twig of 

 cotton bearing three squares. Five days later two of the squares were 

 flaring, and by very close examination a very small puncture, but 

 slightly larger than th(> l)lack markings on the square, was found on 

 the side of each. Observations a few days later in a field where the 

 adults were very a})undant on cotton showed no such injur}', however, 

 so that it is doubtful whether or not the supposed punctures were 

 made b}- these insects. Indeed, it is safe to assert that the insect does 

 not feed or oviposit upon the squares or bolls, except by the merest 

 accident in very exceptional cases. It is alwa3"s seen feeding upon the 

 stems, and the eggs are laid in the leaves or possibly in the bracts, but 

 preferablj' on other plants than cotton. 



The occurrence of this species on cotton has been noted by Riley 

 and Howard in Insect Life." The only other previous observations 

 recorded are those of Mally and Banks, ^ who give a very excellent and 

 detailed account of the process of oviposition and state that "they feed 

 by puncturing the epidermis at the base of the flowerbud or the very 

 young boll " * * . Soon after the form or small boll will 'flare' 

 and drop off'. If examined when about to drop off a small roundish 

 black spot will be found upon the peduncle, the base of the form, or 

 boll.'' This is stated to refer to the feeding habits of the young. It 

 is the popular impression, however, that it is due to the feeding of the 

 adults. As previously stated, neither the writer and assistants nor, 

 as we are informed, any of the other field agents of this Bureau, work- 

 ing in the cotton fields of Texas and Louisiana have been able to rec- 

 ognize any injur}^ caused by this insect. We therefore wrote Pro- 

 fessor Mally concerning the above account of the injury and received 



«1892: Vol. V, pp. 150-154, fig. 10. 



«'1893: Bui. 29, o. s., Div. Ent., U. S. Dept. Agric, pp. 31-33. 



