320 



universal satisfaction and that the few simple implements necessary 

 thereto can always be rigged up by the planters themselves at a 

 moment's notice. 



NOTES ON COTTON INSECTS FOUND IN MISSISSIPPI. 



By William H. Ashmead. 



(CoDtinued from Ixsect Life, vol. vii, p. 247.) 



ORDER HEMIPTERA. 



The strong-nerved plant-bug [Hymenarcys nervosa Say). A few 

 specimens seen feeding on the stalk. 



The hhick \)\a,nt-b\ig [Proxys punctulatus Bea>nw). Xot rare. Feeds 

 on the sap of the cotton plant, although other observers state that it 

 will also attack the cotton-worm and other injurious caterpillars. 



Tlie single-spotted soldier-bug {Euschistiis pyrrhocerus Herr.-Sch.). 

 Not rare. Punctures new shoots and terminal branches. 



The green soldier-bug {Xezara hilaris Say). Common on the stalk, 

 sucking its juices. Also said to prey upon the cotton-worm, but I 

 never detected one in the act. 



The flat-horned coreid {Chariesterus antennator Fabr.). Common in 

 all fields visited. Feeds on juices of the plant and is very active. Its 

 egg is triquetioas, of a golden bronze color, with fine hexagonal reticu- 

 lations and measures 1™'" in length; each side measures O.G""" in width. 

 The young larvae escape by gnawing a hole at one end, leaving behind 

 a larval exuvium in making their escape. An egg taken on a cotton 

 leaf August 15, hatched three days later. On account of having all 

 the joints of the anteunne and the legs broadly dilated the larva is 

 quite dissimilar to its parent. 



The thick-thighed Metapodius {Metapodius femoratiis Fabr.). Cap- 

 tured several times puncturing the young bolls, and while not espe- 

 cially numerous does considerable injury. 



The egg has not been described, although frequently met with on 

 cotton leaves. In shape it is very similar to that of Chariesterus anten- 

 nator but much larger. It is 3""" long by 2.2""" wide, triquetrous, pale- 

 greenish in color, with a submetallic luster, its surface being finely 

 reticulated, the reticulations forming small hexagons. 



The leaf- footed plant bug {Lepto(jlossus phyllopus Linn.) was of com- 

 mon occurrence. I observed it feeding on the bolls and in and on the 

 blossoms, its preference being for young bolls. Sometimes as many as 

 three or four together were observed feeding on a single boll. 



The plain leaf footed plant bug {Leptoglossus oppositus Say) was of 

 rare occurrence on cotton. 



The spined Neides {Neides muticus Say) is quite frequently met with 

 on cotton leaves. It feeds, apparently, on plant tissues, but is never in 

 sufficient numbers to do any appreciable injury. 



