EEPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 317 



least, Tve are thoroughly convinced. These larvce are, however, clearly 

 and at all times distinguishable from those of the Sphcnophorus by their 

 fuUy-develoiied legs aud the internal dark color so noticeable in the 

 posterior segments. The White Grub, however, is a by no means in- 

 significant enemy of the small grains. 



During autumn there is hardly a field of wheat here in Indiana that 

 I Iocs not, to a greater or less extent, show the effects of their voracious 

 ai)j)etitcs. 



Their method of work in tlie grain fields seems to be much more 

 erratic than in grass lauds, as the many clusters of from two to twenty, 

 or pcrliaps more, dead plants that have been eaten oft" below the surface 

 will illustrate. 



Their work in spring wheat and oats during spring is usually less 

 noticeable, and we have never observed the grubs feeding on the roots 

 of sj^ring-sown grain later than tlio 15tli of May. This is, no doubt, 

 largely due to the fact that the Iresher and more tender roots of the 

 weeds and grass that spring up in the fields offer more temi)ting morsels. 



THE TARNISHED PLANT-BUG. 



{Lygus lineolariSj Beauv.) 



Adults were observed in numbers about equal to those of last season, 

 extracting the milk frcTm immature kernels of wheat, apparently being 

 much more destructive to the spring thau the fall varieties. 



EuscniSTUS FissiLis Uhler. 



These also were depredating in the same manner, but in gTcater imm- 

 bers than last year. After the fall wheat had become too advanced to 

 afibrd them the requisite supply of food, they gave spring wheat their 

 undivided attention, and must have done considerable injury. 



Dk^ocoims kapidus, Say. 



Although not aware of this species having been reported as injurious 

 to small grain, we were not suri^rised to observe adults, in limited num- 

 bers, in company with the two species previously mentioned, depredat- 

 ing on both fall and spring wheat in precisely the same manner as the 

 others. 



No inconsiderable iujury to the wheat crop, and in particular to tlie 

 spring varieties, seems to be due to the withering and shrinking up of 

 portions of the heads Avhile the kernels are filling. Scmetinics the u]> 

 per half, or perhaps one-third of the head, will wither, or very frequently 

 the trouble will affect only a cluster of one,-two, or perhaps more kernels, 

 while the remainder will be in good cocdition. The result of this is ihiU 

 many kernels are aborted, and eventually go over with the chaff when 

 thrashed, and sometimes there is no kernel whatever in the glumes. 



While this may not be due to the punctures of any or all of tbc three 

 species of Hemiptera mentioned, this much is certain : First, the trouble 

 was more noticeable where these insects appeared the most abundant; 

 second, the trouble was not perceptible until these insects began their 

 work; and, third, the heads of wheat reared under a frame- work of 

 boards covered with Swiss muslin, and consequently protected from all 

 insect attack, exhibited no injury of this nature. 



