PARASITES AND PREDATORS OF MEXICAN BEAN BEETLE 11 



Larvae and adults of lacewing flies, particularly Chrysopa oculata 

 and G. rufilab?ns (J, 9. 12), have been observed feeding on the young 

 larval instars and pupal stage of the bean beetle at Birmingham and 

 elsewhere. 



MISCELLANEOUS PREDATORS 



A centipede was observed by Jones 4 feeding on an adult bean 

 beetle in the spring of 1924. The beetle was still alive although the 

 viscera had been eaten away. Several other beetles had been muti- 

 lated in the same manner. 



A spider, AUothrombium sp., was observed feeding on the bean 

 beetle at Xorton. Va., by T. J. Tudor in 1927. The spiders appeared 

 to be quite prevalent in the bean field. 



A common garden toad, captured in a bean field, was observed by 

 L. W. Brannon to consume larvae and adult bean beetles in the 

 laboratory at Birmingham, Ala., in 1923. 



Turkeys have been observed feeding on bean beetles in the field, 

 according to Douglass (4). Quail and young pheasants that died 

 for some unknown reason were opened and found to have consumed 

 quantities of bean beetles. 5 Guinea fowl have been reported by 

 farmers in Alabama to feed on adult beetles. 



Skunk droppings, collected by H. C. Mason in a field of beans at 

 South Point, Ohio, during the summer of 1935, contained several 

 elytra of the bean beetle. 



BACTERIA AND FUNGI 



Unidentified species of CoccobaciUus and Streptococcus 6 were 

 j:>resent in samples of dead bean beetle larvae and pupae collected 

 at Birmingham, Ala. {12). Xot infrequently light- to dark-brown 

 dead larvae and pupae were observed in the field attached to leaves. 



What appeared to be a bacterial disease killed many first- and 

 second-instar bean beetle larvae in South Carolina, according to Eddy 

 (6) , chiefly during August when the driest period occurred. 



Beauveria globidifera' is capable of causing high mortality among 

 hibernating bean beetles in the Estancia Valley. X. Mex.. during 

 favorable years (J). Douglass inoculated several series of beetles by 

 smearing the fluid from dead beetles under the wings and by direct 

 injection. He found that inoculated beetles died within a few days. 

 The feces became brown and stringy, and later a brownish fluid 

 exuded from the beetles. 



Cephalothecium sp., 8 regarded generally as a saprophytic fungus, 

 was present in eggs of the bean beetle collected by Luther Brown at 

 Thomasville, Ga., in 1921. Egg masses similar to those from which 

 this fungus was obtained were conspicuous because of the presence of 

 brown spots partly covering the eggs. 



Cordyceps mUitaris 1 was found to be present in dead beetles taken 

 from hibernation in Xew Mexico and Ohio. 



Isaria sp. 7 was present in dead beetles taken from hibernation in 

 Xew Mexico and Virginia. 



* See footnote 3. . _ . .. ... 



3 According to correspondence from A. C. Smith, State game protector ot Schuylkill 

 County. Pa., in 1929. 



6 Determined by G. F. White. , a w 



7 Determined by Vera K. Charles, of the Division of Mycology and Disease Survey. 

 Bureau of Plant Industry. 



s Determined by A. T. Speare. 



