259 



Life, Vol. I, p. 89) which, by the way, was originally found upon this 

 same plant. Careful comparison of specimens,moreover, shows that the 

 common Plum Gouger {Anthonomus prunicida Walsh) is unquestion- 

 ably a good species, as such" go, and not a synonym of scutellaris as has 

 been supposed of late years. We illustrate both species at Figs. 55 

 and 56. 



Fig. 55. — Coccotorus gmitellaris — 

 enlarged (original). 



Fig. 56. — Coccotorus prunicida ; a, plum-stone showing 

 exit-hole of larva ; 6, adult ; c, side view of head of 

 adult — enlarged (original). 



A PODURID WHICH DESTROYS THE RED RUST OF WHEAT. 



In studying the insect enemies of our cereals during the last five years 

 we have repeatedly come in contact with a small, robust species of Smyn- 

 thurus — species undetermined — both in the field and in breeding cages. 



From the fact that we have several times reared the species in cages 

 containing only growing grain and insects preying thereon, and were not 

 able to detect them destroying either one of these, we have been per- 

 plexed to understand from what source these little Neuropters obtained 

 their subsistence. During the present year, however, we have twice 

 found individuals feeding upon theUredo spores of the common wheat- 

 rust, Puccinia rubigovera, in both instances on wheat growing in the field 

 and at a time when the rust was first making its appearance on the 

 leaves. 



While these observations clear away some of the obscurity surround- 

 ing the food habits of these insects, their economic importance is as un- 

 certain as before. We are free to suppose that all rust spores eaten by 

 these insects are destroyed, and to this extent they are benefactors. 

 But their bodies being covered with short bristles, and being such gor- 

 mandizers in their method of feeding, with every repast they manage 

 to get great numbers of spores caught among the bristles on their bodies, 

 and these spores, it is fair to suppose, are carried away and probably 

 become detached one time and another, more or less of them being left 

 on plants not previously affected by rust. Early in the fall, when rust 



