34 SECOND ANNUAL REPORT OP 



In the most numerously represented division of this family the 

 scutel forms a large triangle, extending along the back about 

 hall-way to the tip of the abdomen, as may be seen in the figure of 

 the Spined Soldier-bug (Fig. 7), referred to on a previous page. But 

 in another division of this family which does not contain nearly so 

 many species, the scutel, instead of being angular, is rounded at top 

 and covers more or less the entire upper surface of the abdomen. It is 

 to this last division that the Flea-like Negro-bug belongs, and the dirty 

 yellow or white stripes at its sides are really nothing but the thick- 

 ened anterior edge of the front wings, all the remaining part of the 

 front wings, as well as the entire hind wings, being, in repose, com- 

 pletely hidden under this enormously extended shield. In the Bor- 

 [Fig. 10.]^ dered Soldier-bug, as the reader will perceive from the 

 annexed drawing (Fig. 10), which I reproduce from my 

 First Report, the scutel is indeed rounded, and also 

 extends a considerable distance over the abdomen; but 



Ijv^as it otherwise agrees with the other Soldier-bugs in 

 v^IIf// * ne res ^ °^ ** s or S ar, i za tion, it is classified with them, 

 f ^8^*1 and not with our Negro-bug. 



The Flea-like Negro-bug has been known to injure various plants 

 for two or three years back. I found it exceedingly abundant last 

 summer in all parts of the State which I visited. It has a great pas- 

 sion for the fruit of the Raspberry, and is sometimes so plentiful as 

 to render the berries perfectly unsaleable by the bed-bug aroma 

 which it communicates to them, as well as by sucking out their 

 juices. Wherever it occurs, the nauseous flavor which it imparts to 

 every berry which it touches, will soon make its presence manifest, 

 though the little scamp may elude ocular detection. It is really too 

 bad that such a little black varmint should so mar the exceeding 

 pleasure which a lover of this delicious fruit always experiences 

 when in the midst of a raspberry plantation in the fruit season. It 

 is also quite injurious to the Strawberry, puncturing the stem with- 

 its little beak, and thus causing either blossom or fruit to wilt; and 

 the following extract, taken from a communication to the Western 

 Rural by Mr. B. Pullen, of Centralia, Ills., undoubtedly refers to 

 the same Bug, and would indicate that it made its first appearance in 

 that neighborhood last summer : 



"A new insect, to us here, has appeared on our strawberries for 

 the first time the past season, damaging the crop very much. It re- 

 sembles somewhat the Chinch Bug, so destructive to our wheat and 

 corn, and, judging from the peculiar odor they emit on being mashed, 

 should think them very nearly related. Some claim that they are of 

 a different species altogether. Whether this be so or not those inter- 

 ested in the cultivation of the strawberry are anxiously looking for- 

 ward to another season to see if they are to continue their depreda- 

 tions." 



It likewise attacks the Strawberry in Canada, as an account of 

 its attacking that plant, is given by my friend, C. J. S. Bethune, in the 



