16 



pubescence; abdomen black, shining, with a narrow band of gray hairs 

 at tip of first segment, sometimes interrupted in the middle; second 

 and third segments with apical triangular gray patches at sides; 

 anal segments pale or covered with pale pubescence; the other seg- 

 ments may have gray patches on the sides. Adults of this fly were 

 not uncommonly taken in October, and were at' that time seen cap- 

 turing wild bees of several species and an unidentified butterfly. 

 They are very swift fliers. Small dipterous larvae, found in the fall 

 in the cane fields with injured larvce of white grubs and in cells 

 made for pupation, will doubtless prove to be this same species. 



Fig. 6. — Erax lateralis: a, adult; I), face view of head of aduU ; c, larva; (/, bead of 

 larva; e, puparium — all enlarged (original). 



Several carabid larvae were seen in the fields feeding upon young- 

 white grubs, but none were reared to maturity. 



REMEDIES. 



Cultural remedies. — These will doubtless prove to be most suc- 

 cessful. Doctor Howard, in his report on this insect in 1880, advised 

 postponing the planting of infested fields until spring. This will 

 prove to be one of the best remedies, especially on the higher, lighter 

 soils. On two large plantations at Broussards it was suggested b}^ 

 the writer that the owners " oifbar " the cane in April and May and 

 keep the dirt away from it as late as possible. This suggestion was 



