90 



consists of insects, roaches, crickets, grasshoppers, and centipedes, 

 and, from examination made, he also feeds upon the "Oiinda bug." — 

 Albert Koebele. 



singular instances of attack on human beings by insects. 



From time to time we are in receipt of specimens of insects from 

 nearty every quarter of the globe with report that the species sent 

 had caused annoyance by attacking men. In previous publications of 

 this Department we have had occasion to mention more or less in detail 

 the attacks and alleged attacks of the so-called "kissing bug," mos- 

 quitoes, fleas, bedbugs, and various other insects which are known to 

 attack man habitually. Extreme cases, however, are constantly being- 

 reported, and some of these may be of interest. During December, 

 1900, we received a communication from Mr. F. D. Granger, of the 

 United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, this city, with accompany- 

 ing specimens of the ground beetle (Ilarjxdus erraticus), a common 

 species in the West, which had been taken in September of that year 

 on the farm of Mr. William Lord, at Page, Nebr. Mr. Lord said he 

 had never noticed the insects before that year, but remarked that the} T 

 were " savage biters." Mr. Granger stated that personal experience 

 proved the correctness of this assertion, and that not only he but 

 other members of the party camped in that vicinity were bitten by 

 these beetles. 



EFFICIENCY OF THE TWO-SPOTTED LADYBIRD AS A PLANT-LOUSE 



DESTROYER. 



During the latter part of June Mr. J. J. Newbaker, Steelton, Pa., 

 and Mr. M. P. Jones, Morristown, N. J., sent specimens of the cherry 

 aphis (Myzus cerasi) and of the apple louse (Aphis mali) on peach and 

 apple, respectively, in both cases with accompanying specimens of 

 the two-spotted lad}^bird (Adalia hipunctata) in the pupal condition 

 when received. The pupae were found in groups of half a dozen and 

 more within the curled-up leaves, and in neither case were any plant 

 lice remaining, the larvse having devoured them all before transform- 

 ing. It seems probable that a similar condition of affairs existed in 

 both localities upon the trees. 



THE "OVERFLOW BUG " AGAIN. 



October 15, 1900, Mr. J. Hardy, Milton, Cal., sent specimens of the 

 ground beetle Platynus maculicollis, known in California as the "over- 

 flow bug" or "grease bug," with report that the species was a very 

 annoying pest in that vicinity at that time of the year. Our corre- 

 spondent writes: 



They make their appearance about dusk, within three or four days after the rain, 

 and remain from ten days to three weeks. They enter the houses in great numbers 

 and get into everything. If disturbed they emit a strong fetid stifling odor. 



