34 INSECTS INJURIOUS TO GARDEN AND ORCHARD CROPS. 



was the case where each stage was observed separately, this species 

 passed its life cycle in the same time, the period being from the date of 

 the beginning of the experiment to the finding of the first newly trans- 

 formed bng, thirty-two days, August 2 to September 3. 



The finding of eggs during the last days of September as observed 

 in 1897 would certainly seem to indicate a tendency toward the produc- 

 tion of a second brood. In 1898 the adults of the hibernated genera- 

 tion were nearly all dead in the field by the 2nd of August, but a few 

 individuals remained some days longer in our rearing cages after this 

 time. There was practically no overlapping of generations and there 

 is no evidence to show more than a single generation annually since 

 the eggs laid in September could not, in the writer's opinion, by any 

 possibility have produced mature insects that year, for the lack of a 

 food supply if for no other reason. Disappearance for hibernation 

 began in September, and soon after the first of October the species had 

 practically disappeared. One individual was found with its back 

 incrusted with earth under a pumpkin in November. 



NATURAL ENEMIES. 



Undoubtedly this insect is exposed to the same enemies as the com- 

 mon squash bug. One individual of the adult captured in 1897 bore 

 eggs of a Tachinid and another contained a hole through which the 

 adult fly, probably Trichopoda pennipes Fab., the well-known enemy of 

 the adult of Anasa tristis had made its escape. 



REMEDIES. 



In addition to the remedial measures specified as of value against 

 the common squash bug and which will undoubtedly prove equally suc- 

 cessful against the present species, it is probable that we may be able 

 to control it at least in the latitude of the District of Columbia by tak- 

 ing advantage of its late presence in the field. This may be accom- 

 plished by setting out a few late cucurbits as a trap crop. After the 

 old vines have been destroyed the bugs will congregate on the later 

 plants and here can be more successfully dealt with. A good way 

 would be to distribute these trap plants about the garden patches 

 and then set fire to them when the bugs have congregated upon them 

 in sufficient numbers. This could readily be done by throwing upon 

 the plants dry straw or similar material and adding a little kerosene. 



SOME OBSERVATIONS IN THE LIFE HISTORY OF THE SQUASH-VINE 



BORER. 



(Melittia satyriniformis Hbn.). 



In the gathering of material that would illustrate the life history of 

 the squash-vine borer a number of observations were made that may 

 be of interest in connection with the illustrations which are here 

 presented. 



