consists of insects, roaches, crickets, grasshoppers, and centipedes, 
and, from examination made, he also feeds upon the ‘Olinda bug.”— 
ALBERT KOEBELE. 
SINGULAR INSTANCES OF ATTACK ON HUMAN BEINGS BY INSECTS. 
From time to time we are in receipt of specimens of insects from 
nearly every quarter of the globe with report that the species sent 
had caused annoyance by attacking men. In previous publications of 
this Department we have had occasion to mention more or less in detail 
the attacks and alleged attacks of the so-called ‘* kissing bug,” mos:- 
quitoes, fleas, bedbugs, and various other insects which are known to 
attack man habitually. Extreme cases, however, are constantly being 
reported, and some of these may be of interest. During December, 
1900, we received a communication from Mr. F. D. Granger, of the 
United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, this city, with accompany- 
ing specimens of the ground beetle (//arpalus erraticus), a common 
species in the West, which had been taken in September of that year 
on the farm of Mr. William Lord, at Page, Nebr. Mr. Lord said he 
had never noticed the insects before that year, but remarked that they 
were “‘savage biters.” Mr. Granger stated that personal experience 
proved the correctness of this assertion, and that not only he but 
other members of the party camped in that vicinity were bitten by 
these beetles. 
EFFICIENCY OF THE TWO-SPOTTED LADYBIRD AS A PLANT-LOUSE 
DESTROYER. 
During the latter part of June Mr. J. J. Newbaker, Steelton, Pa., 
and Mr. M. P. Jones, Morristown, N. J., sent specimens of the cherry 
aphis (M/yzus cerasz) and of the apple louse (Ap/7s mal7) on peach and 
apple, respectively, in both cases with accompanying specimens of 
the two-spotted ladybird (Adalia bipunctata) in the pupal condition 
when received. The pups were found in groups of half a dozen and 
more within the curled-up leaves, and in neither case were any plant 
lice remaining, the larve having devoured them all before transform- 
ing. It seems probable that a similar condition of affairs existed in 
both localities upon the trees. 
THE ‘‘OVERFLOW BUG” AGAIN. 
October 15, 1900, Mr. J. Hardy, Milton, Cal., sent specimens of the 
ground beetle Platynus maculicollis, known in California as the *‘ over- 
flow bug” or ‘grease bug,” with report that the species was a very 
annoying pest in that vicinity at that time of the year. Our corre- 
spondent writes: 
They make their appearance about dusk, within three or four days after the rain, 
and remain from ten days to three weeks. They enter the houses in great numbers 
and get into everything. If disturbed they emit a strong fetid stifling odor. 
