86 SOME INSECTS INJURIOUS TO TRUCK CROPS. 
EUTHYRHYNCHUS FLORIDANUS L. 
July 7, 1909, Mr. Fred. A. Eigenman, Abbeville, S. C., sent speci- 
mens of Huthyrhynchus floridanus L., which he had found that morn- 
ing on eggplant. When discovered the insect was attacking the 
larva of the Colorado potato beetle. As this was a new observation 
to Mr. EKigenman, he promptly apprised this office of the fact. This 
species is not uncommon in the Southern States, and specimens 
have been frequently received for determination, with notes on 
habits, from South Carolina, Florida, and Georgia. 
It is highly probable that the species is beneficial, although there is 
a possibility that it may feed also on plant juices exceptionally, 
as is known to be the case with some related forms. 
In looking over the files of the Bureau it is found that this species 
was reported from Lanford, Laurens 
County, S. C., June 24, 1887, by Mr. 
Y. N. Lanford, who stated that he 
found the insect to be a bee destroyer. 
While sweeping off webs and other 
refuse from a bee bench and “‘gums”’ 
(colloquial for box hives), he noticed 
one of these bugs with its beak in- 
serted into the abdomen of a honey 
bee, just above the sting. He did 
not know, however, to what extent 
the insect attacks the bees.* During 
1901 Mr. H. Walter McWilliams, 
Griffin, Ga., sent specimens with a 
letter dated October 28, stating that 
the species occurred in some numbers 
on catnip. 
Fig. 24.—Euthyrhynchus floridanus, an enemy During 1907-8 Mr. H. M. Russell 
of the Colorado potato beetle. Enlarged. observed this bug attacking the ereen 
chen ae plant-bug (Nezara hilaris Say) on 
eggplant at Dade City, Fla., and the black walnut caterpillar (Datana 
integerrima G. and R.) on pecan at Orlando, Fla. 
This species is a tropical form and is recorded as occurring also at 
New Orleans, La., in Mexico, and Central America generally, as well 
as in Venezuela, Colombia, and Brazil. A full bibliography was fur- 
nished in 1880 by W. L. Distant.? It has many synonyms, which is 
to be accounted for by its wide distribution and variability. The 
mature bug measures between one-half and three-fourths of an inch 
in length. The usual color is green above, spotted with red, the 
spots being arranged more or less as shown in the accompanying 
illustration (fig. 24). Individuals occur also without red markings, 
4 Mention of this bug attacking the honey bee is given in Insect Life, Vol. I, p. 88, 
Sept., 1888. 
b Biologia Centrali-Americana, Hemiptera-Heteroptera, Vol. I, pp. 41-42, Oct., 1880. 
