H 



THE INSECT RECORD FOR I9OO 



of comparative scarcity. Every colony destroyed now means 

 as much as the destruction of a hundred colonies ten years 

 hence. 



During the latter part of May (the 24th) there was a severe 

 hailstorm in southeastern New Hampshire, and I was partic- 

 ularly interested in its effect upon the tent caterpillar nests. 

 Nearly all of these were riddled by the hailstones, many of 

 them reduced to mere shreds, though more were left in the 

 condition shown in Fig. 5, with great holes through the tents. 

 The caterpillars at this time were so nearly full grown that 

 comparatively few of the tents were repaired. It is probable 

 that many of the pests were killed by the hailstones. 



Fig. 4. — Antiopa Butterfly after being caught by Maryland Yellow-throat. 



The Tarnished Plant Bug^ has long been known as a 

 troublesome pest upon a considerable variety of crop plants. 

 It was reported to me this season in what appears to be an 

 unrecorded attack. From Lebanon early in August came a 

 complaint that this insect was proving very destructive to 

 sweet peas. The bugs suck the juice from the flower stalk 

 generally just below the bud, causing the latter to wither and 

 die. Probably the most effective remedy would be to brush 

 the pests oft^ into shallow pans wet with kerosene. This had 

 best be done early in the morning when the air is so cool that 

 the insects are more sluggish than during the heat of tlie day. 



"^Lygtis pratensis Linne. 



