98 



upward of half an inch in length, is black in color, with pale yellow elytra striped 

 with black, and a yellow spot on each side of the thorax. 



Reported injury by the oil beetle, Meloe irnpressus Kirby. — January 12, 



1900, Miss Mary E. Murtfeldt, Kirkwood, Mo., sent a specimen of this species with 

 the statement that it had been received from a correspondent in Missouri, with 

 report that it was "eating wheat and rye to the ground in patches from the size of a 

 dinner plate to that of a table, right through frost and sleet, as though nothing was 

 wrong." The determination of the species is by comparison with specimens in the 

 national collection. When this genus Meloe' is given further study it may possibly 

 prove to be a distinct form. Various species of Meloe are known to appear above 

 ground during mild days in winter and early spring, and whenever they appear they 

 usually occur in numbers. 



Injury to apple leaves by the caterpillar of Euclea psenulata Clem. — August 

 15 Mr. H. G. Mitchell sent the beautiful larva? of this limacodid moth with report 

 that they were destroying the leaves of apple trees at Tuscaloosa, Ala. This insect is 

 a well-known enemy of willow and its occurrence on apple is noteworthy. 



Injury by Lygus invitus Say. — June 19, 1901, we received through Mr. E. S. 

 Goff from Mr. W. T. Innis, Ripon, Wis., specimens of Lygus invitus Say. a near rela- 

 tive of the tarnished plant-bug [Lygus pratensis), with report that this bug was 

 destructive to peaches last season in that vicinity. The bug evidently sucked the 

 juices from the young fruits, causing them to shrivel and perish. This is the first 

 instance of injury by this species with which Ave are at present acquainted. 



The box-elder plant-bug- (Leptocoris trivittatus Say) in Iowa. — April 8, 



1901, Mr. J. H. Hill, Elkader, Iowa, sent specimens of this bug, with accompanying 

 information that it made its appearance in that vicinity about four years ago, and 

 although apparently harmless it had so increased in numbers as to have become an 

 intolerable nuisance indoors. During warm weather the bugs inhabited the trees, 

 but on the approach of winter they would creep into houses or wherever they could 

 rind shelter. At the time of writing, the county court-house resembled a beehive, 

 inside and out. 



A European plant-louse introduced in Massachusetts. — June 22, 1900, Mr. 

 Samuel R. Thompson, Globe Village, Worcester County, Mass., wrote from Stur- 

 bridge, of the same State, transmitting specimens of twigs of peach infested with 

 Aphis persiae Koch.' 



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