318 ATTACKS OF INSECTS, ETC. 



lions. Certain species of birds are very fond of the grapes 

 when ripe, and occasionally do much injury ; but I should sup- 

 pose on the other hand, that many of the birds would render 

 mere benefit than the contrary, by consuming great numbers 

 of the insects and worms. Fortunately for our country we 

 are at present less injured by the attacks of numerous insects, 

 Sic. than are most of the wine countries of Europe, and it is 

 therefore unnecessary here to enter into the consideration of 

 the different species, and the separate characters of those 

 which are yet unknown among us. I will now therefore only 

 discuss the subject, so far as it relates to ourselves at the pre- 

 sent period, and will dwell more fully upon it when giving 

 the particular details of the vine culture of the respective 

 countries in the ensuing volume. 



Mr. David Kizer, of Washington City, has communicated 

 to Dr. Samuel L. Mitchill, in a letter, dated July 14, 1829, 

 four specimens of an insect which he found on the grape vine. 

 It is capable of doing injury to the fingers of those who handle 

 it; and of producing considerable pain and inflammation. 

 There seems to be an emission of a venomous fluid. He saw 

 a honey-bee pierced through its body and killed by the wound. 

 It would seem that the food of this powerful and devouring 

 insect, says Mr. K. is the honey-bee. He has given it the name 

 of the Pelican Bee-Catcher. As the specimens are in excel- 

 lent preservation, it may be expected that further entomologi- 

 cal researches will be made by the savans. 



A Boston writer complains of the attacks of a species of 

 insect, the males of which he states have white wings striped 

 with brown, and the females no wings whatever ; these are found 

 stationed on the underside of the leaf, and are said in some 

 cases to have been innumerable. They feed on the epidermis 

 or outer coat of the leaf, and were so destructive, that many 

 persons in that vicinity some few years since abandoned the 

 culture of the grape in open gardens, after trying many expen- 

 sive and troublesome remedies without success. This insect 

 appears to have been particularly injurious to plantations of 

 vines surrounded by woods and water. 



