INSECTS ON THE COTTON PLANT. 45 
In several instances I noted a small gray coleopter (Epicauta strigosa 
Schon.) devouring pollen and the base of the stigma of the cotton flower. 
Some such action, no doubt, as well as that, well known, of the Helio- 
this, destroys the smallest bolls. 
The Anisoscelis albicinctus (Report of Agricultural Department, 1875, 
page 119) has been seen puncturing the cotton bolls and young shoots, 
and is very destructive to the tender orange twigs. The cotton-stainer 
(Dysdereus suturellus) also aids in the destruction of small cotton bolls. 
In several instances { observed larvee infested with an exceedingly 
_ small “mite,” which soon produced death. I have not been able to 
fully make it out, but it appears to be an active, yellowish louse infest- 
ing the larve when full grown. 
As to the question of an alternate food plant, I have as yet found 
none in Florida, but will investigate further. 
