6 FIELD OBSERVATIONS ON SUGAR-CANE INSECTS. 



THE SUGAR-CANE APHIDID. 



Winged and wingless forms of a dark brown aphidid, or plant louse, 

 were ' observed on sugar cane at Audubon Park, New Orleans, on 

 July 29, 1912, and at various times thereafter. They were attended 

 by the Argentine ant in the same way as the mealybug is attended by 

 this species. Very little is known concerning this aphidid. It is 

 found in small colonies on the outside of the leaf axils on the cane 

 plant, and apparently works in a manner somewhat similar to that of 

 the mealybug, though it has been observed on the leaves of the cane 

 rather than on the stalks themselves. In large numbers this species 

 might be injurious to the eyes of cane for planting. 



These aphidids were also found near Donaldsonville, La., Franklin, 

 La., Harlmgen, Tex., Morgan City, La., and Poydras, St. Bernard 

 Parish, La. 



INSECTS OF MINOR IMPORTANCE, 



The large red ant of Texas (Pogonomyrmex harhatus Smith), usually 

 called the agricultural ant, was recorded during the year as attacking 

 sugar cane. Near Brownsville, Tex., on June 12, the writer observed 

 ants of this species busily gnawing a few J'oung cane plants. The 

 sound they made was similar to that of a gentle shower of rain. The 

 ants had eaten the leaves of plants about 2 feet high, as weU as the 

 entire tops of two little plants about one-eighth inch in diameter. 

 This seems to be an exceptional habit on the part of the agricultural 

 ant. 



Another species of ant was found nesting in holes in cane stalks 

 made by the moth borer and in the spaces between the leaves and the 

 stalks. This observation was made near Brownsville, Tex., on Octo- 

 ber 7, 1912. 



These ants should not be confused with the Argentine ant, which 

 is of prime importance in its symbiotic relationship with mealybugs, 

 scale insects, and aphidids. 



LEAFHOPPERS. 



Leafhoppers in very small numbers were observed several times 

 during the season on sugar cane, but no injury due to them could be 

 detected. 



FROG HOPPERS. 



Mr. GObert E. Bodkin and the writer found froghoppers on sugar 

 cane, weeds, and grass near Poydras, St. Bernard Parish, La., on 

 September 10, 1912. The froghoppers start on rank growth and then 



[Cir. 171] 



