36 PRINCIPAL CACTUS INSECTS OF UNITED STATES. 



Sixeonotus luteiceps Reuter. 1 



The adults of Sixeonotus luteiceps Reuter are 3 mm. long, with 

 dark' steel-blue wing covers and red head and thorax. The nymphs 

 are bright scarlet. The range of the species is in southwestern Texas. 

 It is not a true cactus insect, although frequently found upon the 

 plant. It seems to prefer yuccas. On these plants it has frequently 

 been observed in great numbers, while Opuntia growing in the 

 immediate vicinity remained uninjured. When cactus plants are 

 attacked the preference seems to be for the ornamental forms of the 

 "pitallo" group. When in large number- it disfigures these plants 

 considerably, and sometimes causes their death. The first indication 

 of injury is a yellowish discoloration, while the surface is covered by 

 numerous black specks of excrement. 



Polistes spp. 2 



Two species of wasps of the genius Polistes, namely, rubiginosua 

 and texanus* have been taken commonly in Texas, and one, far us, 

 was taken on Cereus in Arizona by Mr. H. G. Hubbard. The adults 

 of these species are found everywhere on the fruit of Opuntia and 

 other cacti. They cut open the partially ripened fruit with their 

 mandibles and feed upon the juices that exude. They are of very 

 little importance from the standpoint of the cultivation of the plant. 



Liotropis contaminatus I/liler. 3 



The species Liotropis contaminatus Uhler. recorded by Prof. H. 

 Osborn 4 on fruit of Opuntia fulgida near Tucson, Ariz., occurs also 

 at El Paso, Tex., and in the Inyo Mountains, Cal., at the latter 

 locality at an elevation of 7.000 to 9.000 feet. 



Dytopasta yumaella Kearfott. 



Reared from Opuntia fruit collected at Hondo, Tex., by Mr. J. D. 



Mitchell in June. Also taken in Arizona. 



Ozamia lucidalis Walker. 



Observed at Victoria, Austin, San Antonio, and Hondo, Tex. 

 Larva moves from fruit to fruit, thus destroying sometimes as many 

 as five. Cocoon whitish, silky, unmixed with foreign matter, placed 

 on side of fruit. Evidently widespread, but never abundant. 



Platynota rostrana Walker. 



Reared from Opuntia fruit collected at Brownsville, Tex., in May 

 by Mr. J. I). Mitchell. This is the only record we have obtained. 



1 Order Hemiptera, Family Capsida?. 3 Order Bemlptera, Family I'entatomidae. 



-Order Uyruenoptera, Family Vespfclse, *■ Ent. News. vol. 20, p. 177, 1900. 



