243 



these insects lingering about a form. The first favorable opportunity 

 that presented itself it would approach a worm, thrust its lance into it 

 and in a short time the worm would drop down limp, suspended, as the 

 bug rested and filled itself from the life fluids of the worm. It has 

 appeared to me that they never become prominent in this work until 

 the season is well advanced, and no way has suggested itself to me by 

 which we might facilitate it. Many worms are infested with parasites, 

 but we are equally powerless to facilitate their work. Ants destroy 

 some small worms, but no doubt you have noticed how quickly a half- 

 grown Boll Worm can dispatch an aut, unless the aqt makes the attack 

 near the head and where the worm can not reach it. One effort is 

 generally sufficient and the ant is cut in two. I believe that Heliothis 

 is the most vicious worm we have here. 



Hibernation. — It is possible thatsomeoftheinsects pass the winter 

 in the moth state, but I have never been able to find them if such is 

 the case, though I made careful observations on that i^oint last winter, 

 while I find and destroy them by hundreds in the pupa state and think 

 that the normal way in which the winter is passed. 



None but one raising cotton, tomatoes, and other vegetables here in 

 the South from year to year can place a proper estimate upon the 

 damage done by these worms. They are an abiding scourge, and he 

 who proves himself able to control them should be recognized as a beu- 

 efactor to his race. There is yet much to learn, and during the last 

 three seasons I have learned much, and shall continue my observations 

 and work next season, and, while I am sure that the means as suggested 

 above will prove effectual in some cases, different methods adapted to 

 different surroundings must be employed. 



NOTES ON ENTILIA SINUATA. 



By Mks. M. E. Rice, Coryville, Pa. 



This insect was first observed on Sunflower July 15, 1892 ; a few were 

 pairiug. The eggs are laid in the midrib of the leaf, almost invariably 

 on the under side. They began to hatch September 1, and almost all, 

 a large number, were out September 10. I destroyed the Entilias on 

 fifty leaves. By actual count there were over a thousand, and many 

 more were knocked off' by a heavy shower the night before. 



Sunflower leaves infested by the larva; die, the whole plant looking 

 as if scorched. The larvaj are very small when first hatched, but soon 

 grow to full size — in about two weeks when attended by ants, and in 

 less than a week when undisturbed — when they split open on the back 

 and the insect emerges in an imperfect form. 



