328 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



Parasites. Several small Chalcis flies have been reared from this 

 insect. They are as follows : Spilochalcis (Smicra) odontotae 

 Howard, was reared from the pupa. Sympiezus uroplatae Howard 

 feeds externally on the larva within its mine. Trichogramma 

 odontotae Howard, is an egg parasite issuing in July. Deros- 

 tenus primus Howard was reared from the leaf mine of Odontota. 

 Dr Howard thinks it may be a secondary parasite, preying on either of 

 the first two species. 



Natural enemies. In addition to the parasites named above, Mr Chit- 

 tenden states that at Washington the wheel bug, Prionidus cris- 

 tatus Linn., is particularly attracted by the presence of this leaf miner 

 and the young of the wheel bug may be frequently observed walking 

 slowly over the leaves till they have found an inhabited mine, when it 

 deliberately thrusts its beak through the epidermis of the leaf into the 

 Odontota larva. The beetles are attacked by this insect when met with 

 and at once lifted in the air on the tip of the bug's proboscis. 



Distribution. Dr Horn has given the distribution of this insect as 

 " Middle and .Southern States." Dr Packard records it from New England, 

 Middle and Western States and Professor Webster has mentioned serious 

 injuries by it in southern Ohio and the adjacent parts of Kentuckv. In 

 addition, Mr Chittenden states that it is known to occur in Massachusetts, 

 Connecticut and Canada, though it does not appear to have ever been 

 taken in Michigan, a .State rather thoroughly collected over by Messrs 

 Schwarz and Hubbard. He adds that the insect appears to be rare in 

 Missouri and concludes that its southern range is practically limited by the 

 States of \'irginia and Kentucky, while Missouri defines its southwestern 

 distribution. 



Remedial measures. This beetle, like some other species, drops to the 

 ground when alarmed and Dr Lintner has expressed the opinion that this 

 habit might be taken advantage of in the case of valued shade trees. The 

 insects could be jarred on a sheet, collected and destroyed. Mr Chittenden 

 states that the beetles are susceptible to arsenical sprays and suggests the 



