INSECTS INJURIOUS TO GRASS. 401 



these maggots were what caused the June grass to wither in 

 summer, as so frequently observed. This is more likely due 

 to species of thrips, three or more of which I have taken from 

 the culms. Sometimes the grass withers from the attack of the 

 stalk borer, Gortynanitela. 



I have also omitted all mention of leaf hoppers in the above 

 list. Yet it is not improbable, indeed I think it certain, that 

 various species of Tettigonia Heleochara and Jassus may and do 

 often quite considerable damage to our grass crops. The larvse 

 of these tree or leaf hoppers are often seen enveloped in their 

 spittle, like secretions, on our grasses, and as such insects must 

 suck all their nutriment from the grass, they can but be quite a 

 serious damage. Of the Hemiptera, with the exception of a few 

 lice, plant and bark lice, the tarnished plant bug and the chinch 

 bug, the above list speaks not. It is quite likely that other plant 

 and bark lice, and several Ileteroptera, especially of the genera 

 Capsus and Phytocoris, may be found to work no inconsiderable 

 harm to our grasses. 



It will be seen that there are included in the list several gener.i 

 of the family Carabidoe, all of which have been considered here- 

 tofore as predaceous species, and so beneficial. Prof. S. A. 

 Forbes has well shown that many of these ground beetles are 

 largely vegetable feeders, and that grass is the principal food of 

 most of these species. Prof. Forbes also finds that nearly if not 

 all of the Coccinellidai (lady bird beetles) feed in part on the 

 pollen of grasses. These probably do very little harm. 



As was remarked in reference to the insects infesting our clo- 

 vers, many in the above list live in part on other plants, and 

 many do very little apparent harm to pasture or meadow. A de- 

 tailed description will be given only of such species as are noted 

 enemies. 



51 



