1G8 



EEPORT UPON COTTON INSECTS. 



insect is said to injure cherries in the Western States by puncturing them with its 

 beak and sucking out the juices, thus proving it, at least in one instance, to be a 

 feeder on vegetable substances. 



Its importance to the cotton planter is shown 

 by the following account by Mr. Trelease : 



Several bugs (Remiptera) were seen to kill the cot- 

 ton-worm. Early in the season great numbers of a large 

 ill-smelling bug with dilated hind legs (Acanlhocephala 

 femorata) were seen in the weeds and shrubbery about 

 the borders of the cotton-fields, being very noticeable 

 on account of its buzzing flight. After Aletia appeared 

 in numbers, fewer of these bugs were seen, but they 

 were several times seen to catch caterpillars and suck 

 the juices of their bodies. 



The full-grown insect is shown at Fig. 14. 

 Planters will do well to avoid destroying either 

 these insects or their eggs. 



FIG. 14. Acanthocephala fe- THE DEVIL'S HORSE Oil WHEEL-BUG (P)'iono- 



niorata. ^ us cristatm,1um.] Reduviiisnovenarius^ Say) . 



Mr. Glover, in the 1855 report, mentions this insect as among the few 

 beneficial to the cotton plant. He there mentions that he placed a young 



FIG. 15. Prionotus cristatus. 



specimen of Reduvius in a box with ten caterpillars, all of which it 

 destroyed in the short space of five hours. 



Concerning the general habits of the insect, we quote from the excel- 

 lent account in the Department of Agriculture Report for 1875, p. 128 : 



This insect is very common in Washington, and is very destructive to insects ; and 

 as agriculturists are very apt to clear their trees in spring of eggs, cocoons, &c., of 



