12 Maine Agricultural Experiment Station. 1919. 



This species has been found in Maine associated with 

 Miris dolahratus as well as with the leafhoppers and it is prob- 

 able that it may feed on either with equal avidity. While not 

 seen feeding on the mature Miris it is pretty certain that it 

 will feed upon the larvae and its fondness for leafhoppers in 

 both the nymph and adult stages has been proven by repeated 

 observation. Direct observation on the insects attacked is dif- 

 ficult as it is almost impossible to follow them in their move- 

 ments in the field and even when offered a variety of food in 

 confinement it is difficult to determine as to their selection in 

 the species offered as they very seldom make their attacks on 

 the insects while under observation and it is left to infer from 

 ■ the numbers killed how ready they are to prey upon different 

 kinds of insects. We have had them live and thrive in con- 

 finement and progress to the adult stage on a diet of Miris and 

 also on a food supply of leafhoppers and it is probable that 

 they will eat a variety of small insects the particular kinds be- 

 ing determined rather by the available supply than by any defi- 

 nite choice on the part of the bug. They are able to survive 

 considerable periods witliout food, and their development is 

 doubtless affected by abundance or scarcity. 



Reference has been made to the record of Leonard of 

 rearing Phorantha occidentis from Miris dolahratus in New 

 York. A larva apparently a Tachinid was secured issuing 

 from a nymph of Miris at Orono June 17, 191 6, but it failed 

 to mature. On July 18, 191 6 a nymph which issued from Miris 

 l)uried itself promptly in earth and from this an adult emerged 

 July 29th. This larva issued from the anterior part of the 

 abdomen under the wings while the host was still alive. The 

 species has not been determined but is evidently closely related 

 to the species bred by Leonard. 



Spiders are undoubtedly quite efficient enemies of the 

 plant bugs but they dispose of their prey so completely that 

 little is left as evidence of their work. Mr. Fletcher found a 

 Miris encircled by a spider's web in which it had evidently been 

 captured and enmeshed. In some unpublished records made 

 by Mr. Sherman Bilsing in Ohio a number of different species 

 of spiders are credited with feeding on this species along with 

 many other capsids. 



