INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 



6ii 



Euschistus variolarius Beauv. 

 This is a rather stout, reddish or yellowish gray plant bug about yi 

 inch long, with the humeral angles somewhat prominent. It was found by 

 us quite common on white pines at Round Lake N. V., Sep. 22, 1902, at 

 which time it appeared to be deeply interested in the web nests of an 

 undetermined tortricid on the larvae of which it probably feeds to a consid- 

 erable extent. We have taken this insect at Karner during the months of 

 May, early June, September and October, and Mr Bueno records its occur- 

 rence about New York city during June, July, August and September. It 

 has been listed from Staten Island by Dr Smith. It is 

 very probable that this species, like some of its congen- 

 ers, feeds in its early stages on plants to some extent 

 and becomes predaceous and therefore beneficial after 

 attaining some size. It is interesting in this connection 

 to note that Mr F. F. Crevecouer of Onaga Kan., states 

 that the fluid exuded by this species caused a very pain- 

 ful sensation on a sore* spot on his finger, being almost 

 like that of a burn. The active character of this fluid 



Fig. 164 Euschistus vario- 



has been observed by others, and Mr Young states that lari us, enlarged Original) 

 in the case of the common Cosmopepla cam if ex Fabr., its exuda- 

 tion burns the tender portion of the lip much as described above. 



This species, according to Uhler, occurs in Colorado, Texas and gen- 

 erally throughout the eastern United States. It has been recorded by 

 Osborn from Albuquerque N. M., and Colorado, by Townsend from 

 southern Michigan, by Gillette and Baker as present in a number of locali- 

 ties in Colorado and from the vicinity of Woods Holl Mass. by T. H. 

 Montgomery jr. 



This species evidently occurs on various plants, which are injured to 

 some extent. It has been recorded about raspberry bushes (the fruit of 

 which it injures seriously) in gardens by Townsend, and on melon stalks 

 from July to September. Professor Webster reports it as puncturing the 



