57 



INSECTS INJURIOUS TO STOCK IN THE VICINITY OF THE GULF 



BIOLOGIC STATION. 



By James S. Hixe. 



The Gulf Biologic Station is located at Cameron, La., near the mouth 

 of the Calcasieu River, which empties into the Gulf of Mexico a few 

 miles from the Texas bounclar3\ The writer arrived there August 14, 

 1903, with directions from the United States Department of Agricul- 

 ture to investigate the stock insects of the region. A report on a 

 subject like the present one, observed for a short time, must neces- 

 sarily be incomplete, and some suggestions are omitted which if 

 developed might lead to important results. 



Mos(]uitoes are ver}' abundant and are serious pests to both man and 

 beast. The director of the station, Prof. H. A. Morgan, is actively 

 engaged in studying them. 



Several of the Muscids, such as the stable fly, horn fly, screw-worm 

 fl}^ and Hippelates flies, are also plentiful. 



Although directed to investigate stock insects, the writer understood 

 that horseflies of the family Tabanida? were to ])e his special subject, 

 consequently most of his time during a two weeks' stav was devoted to 

 these forms. 



The whole country is only a few feet above sea level and is favor- 

 able for the development of the Tabanidje on account of the large 

 acreage of wet and marshy land. Running nearly parallel to the shore 

 of the Gulf is a series of alternating ridges and depressions. The 

 depressions form extensive fresh-water marshes, over a part of which 

 the water stands the year round. Such species as oviposit over mud 

 or stagnant water find ideal conditions in this region, and consequently 

 some of them are al^undant. 



SPECIES OF TABANIDiE OBSERVED. 



A large num])er of species have a range such as would safely include 

 them within the fauna of Louisiana; and besides the writer has seen 

 nearly a dozen species from that State, but during his stay there only 

 five were collected or oliserved, but at least three of these are among 

 the worst stock pests of the family, and taking into consideration their 

 abundance in the region, they are certainly a serious drawback to 

 stock raising. 



Chryso2)s flavidus Wied. was the only one of its genus observed, and 

 owing to the lateness of the season only now and then a specimen was 

 seen. It is said to have been an abundant and troublesome pest earlier. 



Tabavus atratus Fab. was occasionally seen. As in other localities, 

 it is present through nearly the entire summer, but usually not abun- 

 dant enough to be considered a serious pest. Onl v a few specimens 

 were observed molesting horses and cattle. 



