aah 
bug,* is illustrated at figure 6. Other natural enemies are robber 
flies,’ spiders, and a tachina fly. This last develops within the body 
of the potato beetle larva and has been observed so abundant in 
potato fields that its buzzing resembled the noise made by the swarm- 
ing of bees. Wasps of some species attack the larvee, and the rust- 
red social wasp? has been seen carrying them to provision its nest. 
Not infrequently the beetle is found partly covered by dull, yellowish, 
rounded mites. These are external parasites ° and help somewhat in 
reducing their hosts. A species of daddy-long-legs is also a natural 
enemy.! 
Other predatory insects include a tiger beetle (Zetracha virginica 
L.) and two rove-beetles (Philonthus apicalis Say and Quedius molo- 
chinus Grav.). Most of the species listed above have been recorded 
by Riley, but many have also been observed independently by others, 
and correspondents 
of this Bureau fre- 
quently call atten- 
tion to the com- 
moner forms. 
Thus far only in- 
sect foes of the po- 
tato beetle have 
been discussed, but 
certam mammals, 
birds, amphibians 
or batrachians, and 
reptiles are  well- 
known enemies. 
One of the most im- 
portant of the birds "6. 6.—The spined soldier-bug (Podisus maculive ntris) : Adult at leit, 
nymph at right. Much enlarged (original). 
is the rose-breasted 
grosbeak, whose services as an enemy of this beetle have been little 
appreciated until comparatively recent times. The bobwhite or quail 
«The soldier-bugs include Podisus maculiventris Say [spinosus], P. cynicus 
Say, the bordered soldier-bug (Stiretrus anchorago Fab., Perillus cireumeinctus 
Stal., P. claudus Say, Milyas cinctus Fab., and Sinea diadema Fab. These com- 
monly attack the larval potato beetle. Nezara hilaris Say and Euschistus va- 
riolarius Beauv. are said to have the same habit, but can not be important 
enemies, as they are naturally herbivorous. 
»b Proctacanthus milbertii Macq. 
¢ Phorocera (Lydella) doryphore Riley. 
d Polistes rubiginosus Lep. P. pallipes Lep. is said to have the same habit. 
eThe most abundant of these is Uropoda americana Riley. 
f Liobunum (Phalangium) dorsatum Say. 
g This bird is one of the most important enemies of an equally destructive 
species, the chinch bug. ; 
TION es teh7ea | 
