THE GKAIN BUG. 



73 



visable to allow mesquite to grow in the vicinity of cotton when it can 

 be avoided. Observations thus far on the feeding habits of the con- 

 chuela have given us no reason to expect that a trap crop can ever 

 be successfully used to divert the attention of the insect from the 

 cotton after the bolls become suitable for food. 



Under date of May 29, 1906, Mr. J. H. Vaughan, of Tlahuahlo, 

 Mexico, in a communication to the writer stated that the conchuela 

 had already appeared on alfalfa. This directs attention to the advis- 

 ability of giving close attention to this crop and of taking advantage 

 of its attractiveness as a breeding place for the conchuela early in the 

 season, to check 

 its increase 

 through means 

 that have been 

 suggested. 



The adult con- 

 chuela evidently 

 never flies except 

 during dayhght. 

 Many Penta- 

 tomids are com- 

 monly attracted 

 to lights, but nor- 

 mally this species 

 feeds almost con- 

 tinually at night, 

 and in the labora- 

 tory either re- 

 mains motion- 

 less, if not feed- fig. ii. 

 ing, or, if feeding, 



continues uninterruptedly when an electric light is brought within a 

 few feet of a cage in which specimens are confined. 



-The grain bug: Nymph, fifth instar. 

 (Original.) 



Enlarged 6 diameters. 



THE GRAIN BUG. 



(Pentatoma sayi Stal.) 



At Tlahualilo, Durango, Mexico, the grain bug (figs. 10, 11) has 

 been observed to be of frequent occurrence on cotton and to resemble 

 the conchuela in its habits, life history, and seasonal history. At 

 Barstow, Tex., where grain crops were accessible, no specimens 

 were collected on cotton.^ The preference of this species for the seed 

 of grains and of alfalfa will probably be sufficient protection against 

 its occurring in injurious abundance in cotton fields in this country. 



« Bui. 64, Pt. I, Bur. Ent., U. S. Dept. Agr., p. 2, 1907. 



