118 THE ENGLISH SPARROW IN AMERICA. 



made for the reception of the egg looks as if made with a saw, and particles of the 

 torn fiber usually adhere to the spot. The plant becomes dwarfed and usually dries. 

 The larvae feed on and transform to perfect beetles among the matted roots. The 

 life-history of the larger species, as S. 13-punctatus and S. sculptilis (stomachs 202 and 

 97 contained 3 of this species) and S. robustus, are given in my reports (Ins. Mo., Ill, 

 p. 60,#,and Rep. U. S. Ent. for 138l-'82, p. 138,/). 



Unrecognizable pieces of several small snout-beetles were found iu stomachs 201 and 

 1593. In the latter two heads and the tip of one elytron could be recognized ; in the 

 former only small pieces of elytra. 



Order Lepidoptera. 



Hyphantria cunea. — A single specimen of this species was found in each of the 

 stomachs 2132 and 6015. The caterpillar, usually called the " Fall Web- worm," is one 

 of the worst defoliators of our city shade trees, and is fully treated of in my last An- 

 nual Report (for 1886) and in Bulletin No. 10 of the division. 



Laphygma frugiperda. — Larvae of this species were found in stomachs Nos. 6108 

 (which contained 3) and 6204 (which contained 1). 



It is sometimes very abundant, and because of its resemblance to the genuine Army 

 Worm was named the "Fall Army Worm" in my Third Report on the Insects of 

 Missouri (1870). It is a very general feeder, and in some seasons becomes quite de- 

 structive. It is fully treated of in my Annual Report to the Department for 1881-'82. 



Crambus sp. — Stomach No. 6162 contained a larva of a species of Crambus, but not 

 in a condition to determine the species. 



Many species of this genus of moths are found throughout the United States, con- 

 fining their attacks chiefly to the various kinds of wild and cultivated grasses and 

 only occasionally proving injurious. The larvae subsist upon the roots, and form in 

 the soil galleries lined with silk. The full life-history of C. vulgivagellus is given in 

 my Report as United States Entomologist for 1881-'82. 



Pyraltd. — Stomach No. 2132 contained a small female moth belonging to the fam- 

 ily Pyralidce, but the material was insufficient to permit determination even of the 

 genus. The species of the family feed, as a rule, on vegetation, and some are in- 

 jurious to cultivated crops. 



Jaws of caterpillars. — The contents of Nos. 97, 2132, 6012, and 6089 show 11 

 jaws that belong to lepidopterous larvae. 



Suborder Heteroptera. 



Very small pieces of the elytra, or thorax, of a species of the suborder Heteroptera 

 were found in stomachs 289, 5720, and 6153. It is impossible to even identify the 

 genus, but the pieces appear to be derived either from a Podisus or a Euschistus, 

 both containing useful insects, which destroy numerous caterpillars by sucking them 

 to death. 



Suborder Homoptera. 



Erythroxeura sp. — Stomachs Nos. 5954 and 5967 contained two specimens of a 

 little Leaf-hopper belonging to the above genus. 



Species of this genus are very numerous in our meadows, gardens, fields, and vine- 

 yards, and in the latter case do much damage. 



Stomach No. 5544 contained one larva of a Leaf-hopper. 



Order Diptera. 



Blue-bottle Fly (Musca cwsar Linn.).— The pupae of two, perhaps three, speci- 

 mens of a Blow-fly occur in stomach No. 5542. They were evidently picked up with 

 the partially-digested grain found in the droppings of a horse. The species, in rapidly 

 removing decayed matter, renders good service to man and must be considered bene- 



