95 



The species of Gordius and Mermis are treated somewhat at length in 

 the first report of the U. S. Entomological Commission, published in 

 1877, pp. 326-334. Among the hosts of hair worms in which they are 

 most frequently found are aquatic insects, also insects of the order 

 Orthoptera, which includes grasshoppers or locusts, crickets, and 

 kat}^dids. They are also sometimes parasitic on beetles, more particu- 

 larly Carabidse or ground beetles, bees and flies, and caterpillars of 

 butterflies and moths, and even on snails. Among other sensational re- 

 ports received were those of what was described as an insect of a brown 

 color which had similar habits and poisonous properties to the cab- 

 bage snakes. Only two correspondents responded with specimens when 

 requested. These were referred to Mr. O. F. Cook, who stated that 

 they belonged to the genus Geophilus, which includes several species 

 of myriopods or thousand-legged worms, all of carnivorous habits, 

 and it is possible that the}^ may attack some of the smaller forms of 

 cabbage worms and hence be beneficial. 



It should scarcely be necessary to add that inasmuch as the first 

 reports that were received, including the bulk of the newspaper 

 accounts, were of such a nature that it was impossible to identify the 

 creature concerned other than to surmise that it was a species of Mer- 

 mis, and in reply to inquiry to give what was known of the habits of 

 the genus. It wat , therefore, a matter of considerable perplexity to 

 know if this surmise was reall} 7 correct, and it was also a matter that 

 gave considerable annoyance to many of the State entomologists and 

 chemists of the Southern States where the Mermis abounded. 



OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF THE MORNING-GLORY LEAF-CUTTER. 



(Loxostege obliteralis Walk. ) 



During the latter days of August and the first half of September, 

 1 ( J03, this species was very evident on several kinds of ornamental 

 plants growing in yards in the city of Washington. Although morn- 

 ing-glory is the preferred food, when the larva has fully matured it 

 frequently leaves this plant and cuts the leaves of plants on which it 

 does not feed to form its characteristic pupal case, which has already 

 been mentioned and figured in Bulletin 27, new series (p. 104). In 

 spite of its bright colors, the insect appears to prefer very shady 

 locations, and this is fortunate, as it is seldom found in well-kept 

 front 3 T ards, but in back yards near high board fences and in places 

 where morning-glory and some other plants of volunteer growth riot 

 over fences, sheds, and outhouses. Here, where the leaf- cutter is well 

 protected from the sun, it develops in great numbers. Indications 

 are that the larvae usually pass all of their earlier stages on morning- 

 gloiy, and that it is only in the last stage that they ordinarily forsake 

 this plant for others, but in the event of the scarcity of morning-glory 



