191-i] Bnjant: Ecoiiumic Status of the Westeni Meafloivlark 433 



stomach. Negro-bugs are not taken in such large numbers, nor 

 are they so abundant. Two stomachs have been found almost 

 filled with leafhoppers, and many others contained two to ten 

 of these insects. Cicadas, near relatives of the eastern seventeen- 

 year locust, are occasionally taken, probably as often as they are 

 available. Bugs form over three per cent of the food for the year. 

 Economic importance. — Most stink-bugs are vegetable feeders 

 and occasionally give trouble. Negro-bugs are troublesome on 

 berries. In the destruction of these insects the western meadow- 

 lark is also conferring a benefit. Leafhoppers are injurious to 

 plants, because they secure their food by sucking the .juice of 

 the plant. Any destruction of leafhoppers, however small, is 

 of value. The cicada in California is not abundant enough to 

 be of economic importance. It lays its eggs in the sapwood of 

 plants and trees. Since these insects, if they became abundant, 

 would cause trouble as does the seventeen-year locust of the east, 

 their destruction is to be looked upon with favor. 



Hymcnoptcm {Ants, Bees, and Wasj^s) 



Ants appear to be taken irrespective of size or kind, for they 

 are to be found from the smallest to the largest. The common red 

 and black ants {Messor, Pogonomyrmex) , field ants {Formica), 

 and carpenter ants {Camponotns) are most abundant in the 

 stomachs. 



Ichneumon flies are taken in considerable numbers. Bees 

 and wasps form a less percentage of the food made up of Hymeno- 

 ptera. In but one or two cases was a bee definitely identified 

 as a honey bee {Apis mellifera). Solitary bees {Chrysis) and 

 even bumblebees {Bombus calif ornicus) have been found. Cow- 

 killers (Mutillidae) are occasionally eaten, although it has com- 

 monly been supposed that they were well protected from attack 

 by their sting, hairy covering, and warning coloration. 



For several reasons the Hymenoptera have been very difficult 

 to identify. The finely comminuted condition of the insects has 

 proved an almost insurmountable difficulty. The following only 

 have been identified : 



