THE SO-CALLED CURLEW BUG. 55 



Pittsfleld, S. C, June 4, 1888. The beetles when received were ovi- 

 positing in the box in which they were sent. The species was also 

 found attacking young corn May 1, 1891, the beetle gnawing a large 

 cavity in the stalk just below the ground. ' ' When placed in a breeding 

 cage the beetle made its way into the seed kernel of the stalk." 



Brief mention has already been made of its occurrence in Illinois 

 by Dr. Forbes in different papers. 1 It is obvious, as determined by 

 Chittenden, that this entire account of Sphenophorus cariosus refers 

 in reality to callosus. The illustration given in the publication first 

 cited is of the latter species, as is also the description, and it should be 

 further stated that the occurrence of S. cariosus in Illinois is doubtful. 



June 10, 1889, Prof. A. J. Cook also reported injury to corn in 

 North Carolina, though the source of his information is not clear. 



July 20, 1893, Mr. S. L. Willard, Washington, N. C, wrote that this 

 billbug, called " curlew bug" in that vicinity, was doing consid- 

 erable damage to the corn crop. Rice also was injured, and it was 

 stated that the insects had been noticed at least 8 years (or since 

 1886) in that neighborhood. The beetles were also operating in 

 chufa (Oyperus esculentus), and some farmers had abandoned rice 

 growing on account of the ravages of this pest. 



July 8, 1895, we received word from Mr. B. A. Hallett, Mount 

 Olive, N. C, that this species had completely destroyed the upland 

 rice crop of that section and had greatly injured corn. 



During July and August, 1895, Mr. A. N. Caudell reported injury 

 to chufa or yellow nut-grass (Cyperus esculentus) at Stillwater, Okla., 

 and August 24 sent pupae. 



May 11, 1896, we received report from Mr. R. J. Redding, Experi- 

 ment Station, Ga., that this species was attacking fields of young corn 

 in Jefferson County, Ga., by thousands. 



May 22, 1897, Mr. Charles B. Guinn reported injury to fields of 

 green corn at Georgia City, Mo. 



August, 1898, Dr. Chittenden found, in low bottom-land on the 

 banks of the canal at Glen Echo, Md., the pupa of this species at the 

 roots of witch grass or tumbleweed (Panicum capillare). Transfor- 

 mation to imago took place on the 22d. 



May 30, 1899, Mr. Edward Markham, jr., Kehukee, Pasquotank 

 County, N. C, wrote that this species had made its appearance in 

 that region, had spread rapidly, and that it was doing so much damage 

 to corn that some crops were being abandoned. It was considered 

 the worst pest of that vicinity — worse than all others combined. It 

 was known locally as the "clue bug," a contraction of curlew bug. 

 Beetles were received from this source as late as July 8. 



1 16th Rept. St. Ent. 111., f. 1887 and 1888, pp. 64, 68, 71, 1890. 22d Rept. St. Ent. 111., f. 1903, pp. 19-21. 

 Bui. 79, Univ. 111. Agr. Exp. Sta., p. 453, 1902. 



