INSECTS ATTACKING SHADE-TREES. 91) 



or Paris green (see p. 7) while the caterpillars are young is effect- 

 ive ; but it is as effective, and far easier, to capture the caterpillars 

 when they come together to moult. The great, wriggling mass 

 may be burned or crushed. 



There are several parasitic flies which have the caterpillar at 

 their mercy. I have watched a Tachinid fly industriously en- 

 gaged in sealing the doom of many of the black larvae. 



This pest does not seem to be able to maintain itself in large 

 numbers for several successive seasons. In fact, it is the excep- 

 tion to find it destructive in one locality for two successive sea- 

 sons. Its very abundance the first season seems to give such 

 numerical strength to its parasites as to practically exterminate it 

 for the time being in that spot. 



Kansas Notes. In the Second Quarterly Report of the Kansas 

 State Board of Agriculture for 1883 (December 31), Prof. F. H. 

 Snow says that the Walnut Moth, "a hitherto almost unknown 

 species of destructive caterpillar," appeared in large numbers in 

 the month of August, 1883. 



It was rather abundant in Lawrence in the summer of 1890, 

 when it defoliated many walnut trees. It was hardly noticeable 

 about the same trees in 1891. 



BOX-ELDER BUG. 

 (Leptocoris trivittatus Say; Order, Hemiptera.) 



Diagnosis. Attacking the box-elder; a dull-black bug, about 

 one-half inch long, with orange-red markings in lines ; in large 

 numbers on trunks of box-elder and other trees, or on sides of 

 buildings. In winter the bugs frequent houses, and many appear 

 in sunny places on warm days. 



Attacking also ash, maple, and other shade-trees. 



Description and Life-history. The insect is a true sucking- 

 bug, getting its food by sucking the juice from plant foliage. It 

 passes through the winter in the adult stage, the bugs seeking 

 sheltered crevices and corners in stone walls, buildings, etc. In 

 early spring they scatter to the trees, and lay their eggs in crevices 

 in the bark and on the twigs. The young are soon hatched, and 

 resemble the adults in general shape, but are of a nearly uniform 



