432 University of California Publications in Zoology [Vol. 11 



Economic importance. — Cutworms and army wornLS can be 

 classed as two very important pests in California. Garden truck 

 and even trees are sometimes defoliated when these insects become 

 numerous. The depredations of the grape cutworm are only too 

 well known in the state. Caterpillars are vegetable feeders and 

 are always classed as in.iurious. The destruction of these pests 

 in very large quantities by the western meadowlark must cause 

 a direct saving to the rancher and fruit grower. 



Heniiptera {Bugs) 



Stink-bugs (Pentatomidae) appear to be relished in spite of 

 their excretions, for they are taken in large numbers. Squash- 

 bugs {Anasa sp.) have been found in only a few instances. 

 Negro-bugs {Corimelaena) form the only other important Hem- 

 iptera taken. Cicadas appear to be relished and often caught. 

 Two stomachs have contained aphids {Aphis brassicae). The 

 following Hemiptera have been identified: 



Hemiptera (Bugs) 



Jassidae Coreidae 



? Corizus sp. 



Aphidae Alydus pliosulus 



Aphis brassicae Linn. Anasa sp. 



Membracidae Pentatomidae 



Stictoeephala franciscana Stal. Podisus pallens Stal. 



Cicadidae Podisus sp. 



Platypedia areolata Uiil. Euschistus conspersus Uhl. 



Platypedia minor Uhl. Euschistus servus Say 



Eeduviidae Corimelaenidae 



Corimelaena sp. 



Quantity destroyed. — The commonest true bugs destroyed by 

 western meadowlarks are stink-bugs (Pentatomidae), negro-bugs 

 (Cormelaenidae), leafhoppers (Jassidae), and cicada flies (Cica- 

 didae). They form nearly two per cent of the food for the year. 

 As many as twenty stink-bugs have been taken from a single 



